The Cut

First Method: Retaining the Whole Deck in the Same Order

Second Method: Retaining the Whole Deck in the Same

Order

Third Method: Retaining a Small Packet of Cards on the Top

of the Deck

Fourth Method: Retaining a Small Packet of Cards on the

Bottom of the Deck

It is the invariable rule in games of cards to have the deck cut after it has been shuffled. How far back the custom arose it is impossible to tell, but it is easy to account for the origin of such an exhibition of good faith. "Trust ivvrybody but cut the ca-ards," as the Irish cynic said. The magician, therefore, must prove his good faith by cutting the cards, which he does–but in such a way

as not to disturb the arrangement he has already made. In other words, he uses a false cut. False cuts are made in different ways according to whether the whole deck is to remain in the same order or whether a small packet of cards is to remain intact on the top or on the bottom of the deck.

First Method: Retaining the Whole Deck in the Same Order

1. Hold the deck in the left hand, face downwards and near the outer corners, between the third (top) phalanges of the thumb on one side and of the middle finger on the other. The tip of the forefinger rests against the middle of the outer end, and the ring and little fingers rest free.

2. With the fight hand seize the lower half of the deck near the inner corners, between the thumb on one side and the middle finger on the other, the forefinger extended and resting on the back of the top card near the middle of the outer end (Fig. 77).

3. With a rapid backward and then upward movement of the right hand, pull out the lower half of the deck–the right forefinger sliding on the back of the top card without moving it–and place the packet on the table.

4. With the right hand take the remaining cards in the same way, with the same backward and upward movement, and place them on top of the other packet with a slight slap.

Properly timed–that is to say, when you are addressing some quick remark to a spectator and looking at him–this false cut is undetectable.

Second Method: Retaining the Whole Deck in the Same Order

1. Place the deck on the table at A.

2. Cut off a small packet and place it at B, not far from A. Continue in the same way, cutting packets from A and placing them at C, D, E, and F.

A BCDEF

3. Pick up packet B and place it on C, pick up BC and place the combined packet on D, and continue in exactly the same way with packets E and F.

4. Leaving a few cards at A, place the rest of the cards in your left hand. Begin to square the deck, then pretend to notice that you have overlooked the packet A. Drop all the cards you hold on it, then pick up and square the whole deck.

The action keeps the cards in the same order throughout and is completely deceptive to the uninitiated.

Third Method: Retaining a Small Packet of Cards on the Top of the Deck

1. Hold the deck in the left hand by the sides, near the ends, between the thumb and middle finger near the corners, with the forefinger on the back and the ring and little fingers resting free.

2. With the right thumb and middle finger at the far end cut off from the top a packet consisting of a few more than the cards to be retained, and place it on the table in front of you.

3. Take hold of the free end of the deck with your right thumb and second finger, and with both hands place the pack on the cut. Let the outer sides of both packets come flush, but hold a break at the inner sides with the left thumb tip (Fig. 78).

4. Draw both packets toward you, the action enabling you to get a firm grip of the packets; then lift the whole pack.

5. With the right thumb and second finger draw off small packets from the top, letting them fall to the right, one on top of the other, until you reach the break. Finally take the last cards intact and drop them on top of all the rest.

This is one of the easiest and most deceptive false cuts extant. The whole of the action is done by the thumbs and middle fingers only, the cards being held as openly as possible. An even pace, not a rapid one, should be maintained. The break will be found by the fight thumb solely by the sense of touch; there is no need to look at the cards.

Fourth Method: Retaining a Small Packet of Cards on the Bottom of the Deck

1. Hold the deck in the same position as for the third method.

2. With the fight thumb and second finger draw off about twothirds of the pack and place it in front of you.

3. Take hold of the free end of the packet in your left hand, between your fight thumb and second finger. Place the packet on top of the cut, the outer sides flush, but holding a break at the rear sides as explained in step No. 3 of the third method.

4. Draw off the top packet to the break and drop it on the table. Continue drawing off small packets and dropping them one on top of another until the pack is exhausted.

This method of cutting is called a running cut and is in common use among card players. The action should be timed at the same pace as the preceding sleight. It is so well covered that the keenest observation from the front will fail to detect any irregularity.