No. 9. The Half Turn-Over and Catch

To begin with you spring the cards on the left forearm as in No. l, from the finger tips to the elbow. Bend the second and third fingers inward and turn the first cards over until the cards in the middle of the line are erect.

Place the right hand over the upright cards at the middle of the line, the back of the hand being upward and the fingers ready to close against the thumb.

Hold your left arm rigid and lower the whole body by bending your knees, then straighten up and when the arm reaches its former height, drop it and catch the cards between the thumb and fingers by their upper ends. It will be found that by this procedure, the cards remain in position in the air for just the moment necessary to make a successful catch.

The usual method of doing this flourish is to jerk the left arm upwards then drop it sharply to the side, the right hand making a quick lunge and catching the cards. The much better method described above was given to me and demonstrated by Mr. John Mulholland in whose hands it became the acme of ease and grace.