C O L O R   C H A N G E S

• The "Pass" Change
  
• The Side Steal
  
• Causing Two Cards to Change Color at the Same Time
  
• A Quick Color Change
  
• Simplicity
  
• The Finger Change
  
• Double Change
  
• A Sucker Move
  
• The Thumb Movement

T H E   "P A S S"   C H A N G E

A very pretty color change effect can be accomplished through the use of the Hermann pass. The face card is pointed out, and as the right hand passes the deck, it does so slowly, grasping half the pack, for an instant, under cover of which the "pass" is executed, the hand moving upwards over the cards.

This is not only absolutely invisible to all seated in front of you, but obviates the necessity of the explanatory move employed in most "changes" so as to allow the stealing of the card.

The use of the regular two handed pass is also desirable in these effects, but anyone attempting a color change by this method should be an expert in the shift, because, with the face of the cards exposed, the shift must be done exceedingly rapid to avoid discovery. We do not advise this method unless you arc an expert in handling the pasteboards; otherwise, the effect will not only be spoiled, but you will be exposing the fundamental basis of sleight of hand.

T H E   S I D E   S T E A L

Undoubtedly this is the neatest and most mystifying of all color changes, and to successfully accomplish requires considerable practice. The person not already familiar with this sleight will be amply repaid for the time expended in perfecting it. The move is not only of great value in color changes, but also in many other sleights. Nate Leipzig and Jack Merlin both depend almost entirely upon a variation of this move, and to those that have witnessed these able performers will agree that it is not only invisible, but can be put to exceedingly good purposes.

As applied to color changes; the performer states that observers have an idea a card is concealed in the hand, proceeding to demonstrate the impossibility of such; first showing the right hand empty, back and front, transferring the deck from left to right hand, which is likewise so exhibited; the deck is again placed in left hand, the right hand immediately passing over face of cards, when another card is seen to have taken its place, and the right hand is once again shown devoid of any cards. All these moves being made while facing audience.

When the deck is placed from left hand into right, the right should grasp it in this manner: Pack held horizontally; first finger on bottom of cards, near their edge, thumb on top, also near edge, leaving almost the entire face of pack to view.

After the left hand is shown empty, in taking cards again the following moves are executed unknown to audience: Thumb of left hand grasps cards, on front of pack; all four fingers going back of pack, and as they do so, first and second fingers press against the bottom card, shoving it off the side of deck and into right hand, whicl1 is held very slightly bent in order to hold the card in place. (See illustration.) Right hand immediately moves away from pack and a moment later in passing over it, leaves the palmed card thereon.

The above moves should be practiced until the transferring of pack and shoving off the card are made as one continuous move, without the least hesitation, and without a contraction of the right hand when it receives the card. Note: In photo, cards are in a reversed position for color change. In actual operation the faces of the cards are towards audience.

C A U S I N G   T W O   C A R D S   T O   C H A N G E   C O L O R
A T   T H E   S A M E   T I M E

Place the two halves of pack in the position as shown in illustration; that is, the face packet extends out over the second packet, allowing about half the face card of second packet to remain in view. It is preferable to have two black or two red cards showing when the packet is so divided, and at the conclusion of the color change, to have two cards of the opposite color showing.

The change is made as follows: The hand apparently brushes over the cards, away from the body, under cover of this move the rear card of the face packet is pushed, by means of first finger of left hand, holding cards, into palm of right hand. (This card should be of opposite color to face cards.) As the hand again passes over the cards with a brushing motion toward the body, the palmed card is left on the face of first, or face packet, changing it from red to black, or vice versa, and at the same time, under cover of the right hand first finger of left hand pushes down the back card (or several cards) of face packet, covering the face card of rear or second packet, thus causing it to likewise change at the same instant the palmed card is being left on first packet. It will be found that the two changes can be made instantly, and also absolutely invisible.

A   Q U I C K   C O L O R   C H A N G E

Deck held in left hand, thumb on top, first finger on end of cards, second, third and fourth fingers on bottom of pack, at about end finger joints.

Performer states card will change the instant he passes his hand across the deck, jerking his hand rapidly across the face of the cards to illustrate; another quick move across face of cards and the change has taken place. The first finger shoves out three, four or more cards into right hand as it passes the deck in the supposed explanatory move. (See illustration.) The fingers of right hand only need cover about half the deck, and the instant the hand gets near the cards, the first finger rapidly bends back shooting out a number of the cards, which are grasped at the root of the thumb, and on second move, are simply left on face of pack.

This sleight should be done very quickly to get the proper effect. It will be found after practicing that the movements become timed, and it does not seem probable that in the quick movement of explanation a card or a number of cards could be stolen.

S I M P L I C I T Y

There's nothing in a name, so "simplicity" does not mean anything in this case, and y et the sleight described under that name is certainly a most simple method of executing the color change.

As your first change; with backs of cards held toward audience, in right hand, on turning to left, as pack is placed in left hand, face card is palmed off and hand held naturally: at side.

Attention is called to face card, which preferably should be of a different color from palmed card, right hand is slowly passed over face of pack, leaving the palmed card in view.

T H E   F I N G E R   C H A N G E

Pack held in left hand, thumb on top of cards, second finger at end of cards, third and little fingers at bottom, with first finger curled up and resting on back of pack, just so first joint is out of sight behind the pack. (See illustration.) Right hand is shown to be empty, and passed over face of cards slowly, fingers being slightly spread apart; on third operation, first finger bends in as far as possible, causing the bottom card of pack to slide out the end, where it is gripped by the thumb at its root. The card will hang at an angle, and the fingers can still be spread slightly without the card being seen by spectators, at least by those a few feet away; the next movement across face of cards is made similar to former ones, excepting that the card is left on the face of the pack.

Due to the fact that the second finger is on end of pack, thumb on top and two fingers on bottom, it does not seem possible, even to one having a knowledge of color changes, that the bottom card can be stolen.

This is a very pretty move, and with a little practice will be found a neat variation to the many methods of performing this sleight.

D O U B L E   C H A N G E

The below described sleight requires the use of one duplicate card. It is a neat off-hand deception and might more properly be termed a "switch" instead of a color change. The method of slipping a card from one half of the pack to the other half is widely know n, to those interested in card work at any rate. State that you will cause both cards to shift-making a double shift at the same time.

Here is the necessary procedure:

On face of pack have any desired card; and the next card, or second face card should be a duplicate of the second card to be used. This second card, should be near center of pack the pack being separated at this point, so that the mate of second face card will be the face card of second packet, when the pack is divided.

One packet of cards is held in the left hand, attention being called to the face card; likewise attention directed to the face card of packet held in right hand (below this face card is the duplicate of card showing on bottom of packet in left hand).

State that you are going to cause these two cards to change places; the bottom card of packet in left hand to jump to packet in right, while that bottom card will occupy a similar position in the packet held in left hand; in other words, causing a double shift of the cards.

The two packets are brought together, close enough to allow fingers of left hand to rest on the bottom of right hand packet, and when packets are separated to draw this face card off right hand packet onto left hand packet, a shift frequently employed in card work. The packets are quickly drawn apart, and the former face card in right is now in view on bottom of left packet, and due to a duplicate card being second card of right packet, it is of course now exposed to view, the two cards having apparently changed places.

A very effective little sleight which will fool one versed in card work, unless he is aware of the secret, for while the shifting of one card is a simple matter, the fact that both cards change places will cause an expenditure of gray matter in figuring out "how it is done".

A   S U C K E R   M O V E

After one or two changes, state you will perform it slowly so that everyone can get the idea, in case they have not already done so.

Cards are held as shown for "a quick change." Tell your audience the change is made as the hand moves over the deck, illustrating the movement, allowing the thumb to go behind the deck, the bottom card being pulled away, by an out and upward movement.

As the hand again passes face of cards, it does so slowly, leaving the palmed card in place and continuing its upward or downward movement (as you choose) with a visible cramping of the fingers, allowing the audience to conceive the idea that you have removed a card and are holding it in the hand: the hand a moment later being shown free of any cards.

T H E   T H U M B   M O V E M E N T

A little variation to off-set your regular routine. Deck held in left hand, first finger on outer edge, second, third and little fingers on bottom thumb resting on top of pack. (See illustration.)

Right hand shown empty and then placed over face of cards, using an upward motion, under cover of right hand the left thumb bends down near bottom of pack and as right hand continues its upward motion the thumb pressing against the back card, is brought upwards, drawing the card also upward, the fingers of right hand bending slightly to retain the card therein.

As in other moves, it is later left on face of pack.