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Andrew Loh Shang Hai
Lord of the Rings
Written by
Andrew Loh Shang Hai
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I came up this routine by using the four Kings due to I am a big fan of Lord of the
Rings story. I have been performing this effect for quite some time in my repertoire. I
hope you enjoy.
Effect: Four cards are freely selected which represent the evil rings. Performer claims
that among the four cards, only one card will represent the genuine ring and the
performer attempts to mix the cards randomly in order to find out which card
represents the ring, let's suppose the Three of Spades.
Some gestures, all the four cards magically transformed into the death knight (Kings).
The fake ring cards seem to have vanished and they are found in the centre of the
deck! The only genuine evil ring card is found in the card case which was placed full‐
view on the table before the routine is started.
Sleight used:
Elmsley Count
Gambler's Cop
Vernon Add‐On
Krenzel Mechanical Reverse
JK Hartman's Secret Subtraction
PREPARATION
Place the red Fives face down on the bottom of the face‐down deck and have the
four Kings in alternating colours placed on top of the deck.
Place the card case with its half moon facing up, the flap is closed and placed it on
your right.
WORKING
Start off by giving the deck a few false cuts or false shuffle. Secretly hold a break
below the top four Kings and execute the Krenzel Mechanical Reverse from the break
as you turn the deck face up. Another alternative is executing the Braue Reversal.
At the same time, your left pinky secures a break above the four face‐down Kings on
the bottom of the face‐up deck. Spread the deck between your hands and request
the spectator to touch any four cards and outjog them.
Once the four cards are outjogged, strip them out by means of the Vernon Add‐On.
Place the blocks of cards face up on top of the face up pack but secretly hold a break
below the top eight cards. It is important that your right fingers cover the front edge
packet of cards to conceal the thickness.
Your right thumb secretly pick up the single face red Five, keep the thumb break
above it and the packet of cards is now held in your right hand Biddle Grip. You will
carry out the J.K. Hartman Secret Subtraction. Here’s the method:
The first card is drawn onto the deck by using your left
thumb (Fig.1).
Use the edge of the right hand block to flip this card
face down (Fig.2), and it is retaken beneath the right
hand packet. The right thumb still maintains the small
Fig.1
thumb break and the seven cards above it.
Your right hand rotates or turn palm up to show the
first card is now at the bottom of the packet (Fig.3). It
is vital that you emphasis the suit of the cards as you
show the face card packet. Repeat this step as
detailed above with the next two cards. When the
Fig.2 hands come together for the fourth card, the four
cards beneath the packet are secretly loaded back
onto the deck.
King ‐ King ‐ King ‐ King ‐ random fourth card
Casually cut the deck and complete the cut. Place the deck face down on the table.
Situation Check: Three face‐up cards are now in the middle of the face‐down deck.
The packet of cards is still held in your right hand Biddle grip, mixing up the cards and
patter to the spectators that you are going to find a random card which will
represent the evil ring. It is important to note that although you are mixing the cards
in the process, the only stipulation is at the end, the cards must maintain its original
order.
Once you have completed the process, hold the cards in your right hand Biddle grip,
your left thumb peels the cards one at a time into your left hand, the last two cards
are held as one and place the double on top. Double turnover to show the card
(name it) which you state that this card will represent the ring. To enhance this
effect, it would be better to have the spectator signed the face of this card. Double
turnover face down and deal the top card face down on the table.
Your left thumb pushes the top three cards into your right hand as a block and your
right hand transfers the block to the bottom. Snap your fingers and double turnover
to show the card has transformed into the same card. Patter:
"The ring is very powerful and now it seems manipulate your mind. Let's us try
again with other cards."
Double turnover the cards face down and deal the top card on top of the tabled card.
Again, left thumb pushes the top two cards and bring the double to the bottom.
Double turnover to show another transformation. Turn the double face down and
this time, your right hand picks up the top two cards as one and places it on top of
the tabled cards. Saying:
"Do you know who hunts for the ring in that story? The death knights, am I right?
Once upon a time, they were the Kings."
Execute the Vernon Fist Flourish to show the King. Saying:
"Of course, these death knights are still angry because..."
Place the King face up on top of those face‐down tabled cards. Pick up the packet,
turn it face up and execute the Elmsley Count (a variation to John Bannon’s idea) as
you outjog the face‐down King to show the cards have magically transformed into
the Kings. Remove the outjog face‐down King and turn it face up, place it on the face
of the packet. Do another Elmsley Count to emphasise that the ring card has gone.
Saying:
"... they fail to find the ring here."
Your left hand secretly Gambler's Cop the bottom card (ring) as your right hand lifts
up the four Kings and spread the Kings face up on the table.
Pick up the main deck, your right hand ribbon spreads the deck face down to show
that the three face‐up cards (represent fake rings) are found in the centre of the
deck.
"I know what you are thinking; you are thinking where is the ring card? Am I
right?"
Pick up and grasp the card case by its sides using your right hand, place it on top of
your left hand copped card which is hidden beneath the card case. It is important
that the copped card is aligned under the case.
Your right hand lifts up the case including the copped card and left thumb opens the
flap. It is vital that the mouth of the case facing slightly toward you so that the
spectator would not sense something amiss inside the card case.
Hand the card to the spectator to conclude the whole routine.
END NOTES
This routine is a combination and variation by Ed Marlo's "Elevator Cards" theme and
card to card case effects.
J.K. Hartman's Secret Subtraction first appeared in "Secret Subtraction" manuscript
(1970) and later in "Card Craft" (1991).
Thank you I hope you enjoyed the materials.
~ Andrew Loh Shang Hai
Copyright © October 2006