The Giant Fan

I. The Formation

You hold the pack face down, divide it into two portions, as nearly equal as possible, and riffle shuffle them together, dropping the cards from each hand alternately. The first and last cards should be dropped from the left hand. If you have acquired the Weave, use it instead of riffle.

The two packets, thus interlaced, are held in the left hand as in Fig. 22, the left thumb being just below the top of the face card of the lower packet and the left fingers in the same position at the back. The cards of the two packets should be exactly in line giving the deck the appearance of having been pulled out to nearly twice its length. It will now be seen why the first and last cards were dropped from the left hand first and last. It is by pressure on these two cards that the protruding cards are held in place.

Note:--Fig. 23 is not exactly correct. Thumb should be lower across the face of the packets at the point of junction, just at the top of the face card of the lower packet.

Bring your right hand over and place the thumb across the face of the packets at the point of junction, just at the top of the face card of the lower packet, the ball of the thumb resting on the left side of the elongated pack and the fingers extended behind.

With the left thumb press firmly against the fingers, keeping the cards of the upper packet in place, while your right thumb, slipping over the sides of the pack as the hand moves to the right in a circular sweep, spreads the cards into a large fan. Fig. 23. At the end of the movement the four cards at the bottom of the fan should be in a straight line across the hand. Fig. 24.

II. Fanning Yourself

You exhibit the fan, holding the left hand high, the faces of the cards to the front, and wave the cards, gently fanning yourself, just as you would do with a real fan. A firm downward pressure of the thumb will keep the protruding cards in position.

III. Closing and Opening the Fan

Place your right thumb in front of the outer side of the fan, the fingers at the back, then with a quick upward movement of the right hand dose the fan sharply. At once spread it again to its fullest extent. If you maintain the firm pressure of the left thumb throughout you will have no difficulty in keeping the cards in perfect order. This move has a very pretty effect.

IV. Closing the Fan with One Hand

You open and close the fan two or three times, then with it open you extend your left arm about shoulder high and close the fan with the left hand only. To do this you hold your left hand palm upwards, the cards at the right hand side of the fan resting at the base of the little finger, with the tips of the first and second fingers at the back of the fan push the cards over and downwards toward the right, still maintaining the firm pressure of the ball of the left thumb. At the end of the action the packets should lie vertically on their sides on the left palm.

V. Finish of the Giant Fan Moves

With the elongated pack lying as described on its side upright extend the fingers and let the cards fall face up. With the right thumb and fingers seize the two packets at the point of junction and hold them firmly, then with left hand take hold of the end of the left packet and with the right hand seize the packet on the right. You now have one end of the elongated deck in each hand. Hold the cards lightly so that the ends do not bind and draw the packets apart, immediately fanning each portion. Run the faces of the cards two or three times, one packet against the other, with an up and down movement of the hands, put them one on the other and square the deck.

There is really no difficult move in the routine, yet the effect produced is not only pleasing but gives the onlookers a high opinion of the performer's skill.