Top and Bottom Changes

It should be noted that, in giving instructions for the changes, we have told you that the change should be made while turning to the left. You should practise the changes in this manner until you have the knack. When you can perform them smoothly and elusively, you should learn to make changes while moving the pack to the right. When performed in this manner, the left hand moves to the right to indicate an object or person, and as it passes the right hand the exchange is made, with the right hand remaining absolutely motionless.

The exchange must be made without an instant's pause, and it is covered by a turning of the body to the right as the left hand makes its gesture and the exchange.

In the ease of both the top and bottom changes, it is advisable to practise them by going through the same action you will use in the trick you plan to perform.

The following points are important:

(a) You must not snatch the card from the left hand.

(b) You must not pause noticeably at the moment when the hands meet and the cards are exchanged.

(c) When the exchange has been completed, the hands should be about the same distance apart as at the beginning.

(d) After the exchange, hold the right-hand card tilted downwards so that its face cannot be seen.

(e) Divest the sleight of importance in your own mind. Remember that the larger movement of the turn conceals the smaller movement of the hands and that to the audience the hands never meet.

One final word of caution. Do not watch yourself in a mirror as you practise. You cannot perform the action naturally if you divide your attention between what you do and how it looks. Moreover, mirror watching has a tendency to cause the eyes to widen; this is not attractive and can become a fixed habit.