• Mental Telepathy
• Modern Cards to the Pocket
• A Baffling Location
• The Deceptive Location
• Cards From the Pocket

M E N T A L   T E L E P A T H Y

While being very simple of execution, the following effect, if properly presented, is one of the neatest of parlor tricks; one that can be performed under any conditions, and with borrowed cards, if desired.

Supposing a borrowed pack is used: Inquire if the cards are all there; that is, if it is a complete pack, at the same time fanning out the cards, and while so doing memorize the three or four bottom cards in their respective order. For instance, say the bottom card is the ace of clubs, next the ten of diamonds, the six of hearts and the four of hearts following.

Place pack on table, dividing near center, requesting some one party to count half the pack, you counting the balance, and be sure that this party counts the cards down one at a time, as you set the example, thus changing the position of the cards, or, reversing their original order.

When the count is completed; if the pack contains 52 cards, state- "All right, I can perform the experiment," or if short a few cards- "Those few missing will make no difference, I can proceed with this many." The whole idea in counting the cards is to have the packet in hands of assistant reversed in position, so that, on the completion of his count, the ace of clubs will be the top card, followed by the ten of diamonds, the six of hearts and four of hearts.

Take this lower packet, holding same out to a person, requesting that they remove a card, but seeing that the top card only is removed, and in this manner force off the four top cards to different members, requesting that they each look at the card and think intently of its suit and value, placing the card, when they have done this, so that you cannot observe what it is.

Go to first party, inquire if he or she is thinking intently Or the card and place tips of finger against their forehead, and state- "You seem to be thinking of a black card- a club- let me see- the ace of clubs. Is that correct?" and proceed along like lines with balance of selected cards. Mr. Hugh Johnston uses a similar effect, but in his routine he simply glances at the bottom card, passing it to the center of the deck and forcing it on one of those present, continuing this until as many cards as desired are in the hands of the spectators. but, in this method, it is necessary to be a very good manipulator of cards: while in the above described method, no skill whatever is necessary.

M O D E R N   C A R D S   T O   T H E   P O C K E T

This is a little different version from the routine usually employed, being not only simpler of execution, but, at the same time more mystifying in effect.

Five cards having been selected, are returned to deck by person selecting, who shuffles his card therein. This is continued until the five cards have been collected or, a volunteer may take the pack and collect the cards.

The trousers pocket is now shown empty, the name of the first card learned, the pack riffled and on reaching into pocket this card is abstracted therefrom, it being plainly seen that the hand is empty when entering the pocket.

Take five duplicates of the cards you intend to force and place in trousers pocket, in the same order as the cards are to be forced. If you make use of the double pockets described in "Cards from the Pocket," place the set in the fake pocket; otherwise, when showing pocket empty it is necessary to push those duplicates up into top of pocket which can then be pulled out and apparently shown empty.

A very good method of forcing the cards is to use a double card. the top one of these two cards having an eclipse cut from it, or, in other words, a circular cut has been made in the card, cutting out a small portion of the card, as shown in illustration. (If used to handling cards the card need not be made double, as you can readily stop at the faked card.)

Place the five cards to be forced below this "fake" card. Approach first party requesting that as you riffle the sides of the cards, they call out "stop" when so desired. At the word "stop," let the cards fly quickly so as to stop at this fake card, which will be found a very simple matter, as this fake card will run by the thumb, and be the bottom card of the upper packet, so that by holding out lower packet for the card to be removed you have forced the first card placed below the "fake." Place the cards back together, repeat the operation with the other four, or as many cards as you choose to use.

When last party takes their card, either make pass at fake card, or slip to top or bottom of deck, so that it can be palmed off and the deck handed to the individual selectors for the return of their cards. Place the fake card in your coat pocket and when finally receiving back the pack, show trouser pocket to be empty inquire name of first card, riffle corner of cards, reach into pocket and produce. Continue with balance of cards until all have been so produced.

A   B A F F L I N G   L O C A T I O N

In effect: A card freely selected is returned to deck while same is riffled, the previously removed aces of the same color having been, before return of card to deck, placed one on top of deck and one on bottom.

After return of card the pack is squared up, the ace shown to be at the bottom, also at the top, precluding the possibility of any manipulation of the deck.

The pack is placed behind the back, stating that the cards are bashful, or some similar remark. Inquiry is made as to the number at which they would like to have their card appear. Say "five" is given, one card is removed, which is the ace, three more cards are likewise taken off one at a time, and the fifth card IS the selected one, the ace still remaining on the bottom of the deck, and being so exhibited. The double card, as explained in "Cards to the Pocket," is again employed. This fake card is placed somewhere near the center of the pack, the cards riffled, stopping at the fake card for its insertion, so that the selected card is now the first card below the "doctored" one.

Square up the cards, drawing the fingers along the sides, to show that no cards are protruding, and relieving suspicion in the case of those familiar with the "stripper" deck.

Immediately the cards are placed behind your back, cut at the fake card, shoving off the selected card, and replacing it on bottom of pack, but leave it extending about an inch, so that it can be readily removed. Show first card, the ace, and then down to the desired number, and this selected card is removed- without tl1e least hesitation, due to the fact that it is sticking out and can be grasped at once, without having to stop and shove it clear from the bottom. After showing this selected card, the pack is turned over and the ace is seen to still be in the same position, on the bottom of pack.

T H E   D E C E P T I V E   L O C A T I O N

A freely selected card is placed in the deck, while held behind your back, the deck thoroughly squared up and shamed. yet you instantly locate this selected card. This requires the use of the "faked" card as shown in the "Cards to the Pocket Effect." The fake card is placed somewhere near the center of pack; place the pack behind your back and have a card drawn; square up cards; then ask that card be returned to deck, separating the cards at the face; again square up cards, now cut them at the fake, leaving the selected card on top of deck. proceed to false shuffle and then find the card in one of the many ways known for such location.

C A R D S   F R O M   T H E   P O C K E T

This is one of the best card effects on the market, especially suitable for clubs and kindred entertainments where real card work is appreciated. It can be performed with audience on all sides of you.

In effect it is that of having a pack of ordinary playing cards thoroughly shuffled, the pack then divided into two packets, one of which is placed in the right hand trousers pocket, the other in the left hand pocket. Upon any member of the audience calling for any particular card, this card is immediately removed from the pocket and displayed; any number of cards can be so removed, and then poker hands, or the like, such as straights and flushes, full houses, etc.

The operation of this effect requires the employment of two packs, though the knowledge of only one is suspected by the spectators. Both packs are comprised of ordinary cards, but before the presentation of the effect, the duplicate pack is divided into eight packets, one packet containing the ace to seven of spades, arranged in numerical order and then secured with a fairly stout rubber band, seeing that it does not bind too much, making the removing of a card from the packet too difficult; the clubs, hearts and diamonds are similarly treated; then the cards from the eights to the kings, inclusive, of each suit is likewise fastened by a rubber band.

The packets of cards from one to seven, inclusive, are placed in the right hand trousers pocket in whatever suit order is most desirable, or the one most easily remembered. The other four packets, containing the eights to kings, place in the left hand trousers pocket in the same manner, that is, in whatever arrangement of suits you intend to use. A better method is that of having two sets of holders, each containing four pockets to act as receptacles for the cards. Such a set of holders can be obtained from most magical dealers, if it is not desired to manufacture. (See illustration.)

In the performance of this card effect, it is also very desirable, thought not absolutely necessary, that the trousers be provided with double pockets; that is, two sets of pockets, each working independent of the other, so that the arranged cards may be placed in one set, the other set shown empty and the shuffled deck placed in this false pocket.

To locate any desired card, you first grasp the packet of the desired suit, then running over the cards, remove the one called for. Say the three of spades is wanted. That packet is in the right hand pocket, the spade packet is located, and two cards run over with the fingers; the next card you know to be the three, this is removed and exhibited: After exhibiting cards lay them face up on your table so you can tell instantly what cards have been removed, and thus not take out a five when a six has been called for, providing one card ahead of this number has already been removed.

With the prepared holders the operation is much facilitated, as the cards are more easily removed from the pocket in the holder than from under the elastic. For straights or flushes, the cards are all in suits, likewise they run in numerical order, and are just as easy, or perhaps easier to produce than the individual cards.