Design for Laughter

This is a trick in which the magician appears unknowingly to have made a mistake which ensures the failure of his feat. The more certain the spectators are of this, the more they enjoy his predicament and the more astonished and appreciative they are when the trick proves to be successful after all.

1. First shuffle the pack, then have a spectator choose a card freely. Have him show the card to everyone while you turn your head away. This is important, for all must know the card or they will not enjoy the feat. Next have the card replaced and control it to the top of the deck by means of the overhand shuffle control . Finally shuffle the chosen card to the bottom and leave it there.

2. Place the deck on the table before you and announce what you propose to do somewhat after this style: "One of the most difficult feats with cards is that known as the location by cut . Let me show you what I mean." Turn to the spectator who chose the card, saying, "Will you assist me, sir? I must make two conditions, however–first, that you will not at any time name your card or give me any indication that I have discovered it; second, that when you cut the cards, as I shall instruct you, you will say to yourself, 'This I cannot fail to do.' That, of course, is an application of the principles of Dr. Coué, the eminent French psychologist, to feats of skill with cards. It is surprising that, when a person cuts with complete confidence, he will actually cut to a card which he has chosen and which has been shuffled into the pack."

3. Gravely describe a circle around the deck with your extended index finger, then move your finger to make a cross above it. "I now ask you to cut off about one-third of the cards as you say to yourself, 'This I cannot fail to do.' Fine! Place the cut here." Indicate that he is to place the packet to the right of the deck. "Now cut off about half

the remaining cards, using the same formula, and place them to the right of the first cut. Thank you."

There are now three packets on the table and the chosen card is at the bottom of the left-hand packet.

4. Square the packets carefully and continue, "There can be no doubt that you have cut at your card. However, I cannot know which of the cards is your card, so I must again ask you not to give me any indication by word or gesture as to which it may be."

Pick up the right-hand packet face downwards in your left hand in position for the glide . Turn it so that the face card can be seen by everyone, glance at it, and say, "This is not your card." Turn the packet face downwards, draw out the face card and place it face downwards at your right on the table. Drop the remainder of the packet on the right-hand packet of the two on the table.

5. Pick up this combined packet in the same manner, lift it to show the face card, look at it yourself, and say, "Nor is this your card." Draw it off and lay it face downwards beside the first tabled card.

6. Place the combined packet on the one remaining on the table, pick up all the cards, holding them ready for the glide, lift the pack, and show the face card. It is the chosen card, but you keep a poker face and say as you execute the glide and remove the next card, "Apparently you lack confidence in yourself, for that is not your card either."

In spite of your previous instructions, someone may try to interrupt you at this point, for everyone sees that it/s the chosen card. If so, take no notice and at once draw out the next card above the glided card and use it as a pointer. Touch each of the three tabled cards in turn counting, "One, two, three cards and none of them yours." Replace the pointer card on the face of the deck and lift the deck so that all can see it. This subtle move not only conceals the chosen card but finally convinces the onlookers that the chosen card has been placed on the table.

7. Turn to another spectator and ask him to name a number, say between five and ten. "The chosen card will infallibly be at that number," you say. Suppose seven is named. Still holding the deck face downwards, draw out the face card and deal it face upwards on the table, counting "One." Execute the glide and draw out the card above it, deal it on the table, and count "Two." Continue to draw out and deal indifferent cards to the count of "Six." Then draw out the glided card and hold it face downwards, counting "Seven."

"Here is your card," you say confidently. "Will you now for the first time name your card?"

8. The spectator names the card you hold. Here is where your ability to act convincingly will be of prime importance. Pretend to be taken aback upon hearing the card named. Repeat its name and glance covertly at the card on the table which the spectators believe to be the chosen card.

Usually at this point someone, with no little glee, will tell you that the chosen card is on the table and that you have made a mistake. Occasionally, because of courtesy, no one will fall into the trap. In either case, after a moment you brighten and say, "That's right. Here's the card!" Turn over the card you hold and show that it is the required card.

It is at this point that the trick is most enjoyable. You will find invariably that someone will reach for the tabled card, which should be, but is not, the chosen card. The laughter and puzzlement which this action provokes will repay you a hundredfold for the slight effort you have made in mastering the trick.