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Magicas Com Cartões de Visita PDF
Magicas Com Cartões de Visita PDF
with
BUSINESS CARDS »
By
Gerard ZITTA
V1.2
- 1.2 April to November 2013 : Added other sleights that may be used in place of the GZ control.
Corrected some typos. Rewording .
Added more references to ebooks that were published since the initial release.
99% impromptu :
You need a little bit of preparation or an additional prop with you, but otherwise it will look
impromptu to your audience.
- « Janus V3 » a novel two-way out + ideas of effects around it (« Honeymoon »,« Heads or
Tails without coins »,« Red or Black »,« Lottery »,« Gift »,« Winner »)
- « Scam ACAAN »
- « The universal detector »
- « The Hypnosis system (V1) »
- « The universal gift »
Consider the following one as bonus, as it requires to get some more props :
- « Invisible Heads or Tails »
Imagine you are anywhere but on stage ,and you are unprepared .Somebody asks you to do
a « Magic trick » (yeah, they know who you are ! ). You answer you would like to,but you
have nothing with you but a pen and a few business cards. You take out your business cards
holder or box, and you start amazing your audience
Now, imagine you would take a deck of cards .It would be all different …
Nobody would believe you are unprepared !
This ebook is a compendium of Gerard ZITTA's effects, that can be done with business
cards.They all « look » impromptu, and most of them are indeed impromptu as long as you
have your business cards .
Finally, nothing is difficult in this ebook . Only one sleight will require a bit of practice but
it can be replaced by a simpler one. Otherwise,most of the effects will be hands off , or just
require common sleights such as « double lifts » or turnovers.
They are mainly mentalism effects.
Introduction
This is a hands off effect you can do anytime,anywhere and without any sleight of hands.
It does require some memorization and practice instead, but as you'll see, it is easy.
Effect :
You produce a stack of blank business cards and you write numbers on one side, and
drawings (or symbols ,letters,etc.) on the other side.
You shuffle the cards and give three of the cards to the spectator, drawing side up.
Without showing the spectator, you align your 3 cards on the table but hidden with a napkin
or under beer mats.
Now, the spectator aligns her cards in front of yours ,drawing side up.
Your cards are revealed and they match your prediction .
Secret :
Preparation :
Hide the card under the stack of business cards or in your wallet ,or shirt pocket.
If you are in a pub, you can write it secretly under your beer mat, or hide the business card
under it.
50% of the time, you won't need it to produce this business card..
Note :
Instead of changing the color of the pen, you can use three other business cards that have a
different design or color.They can be borrowed as long as all three are identical.
On the photographs, I used ORANGE business cards for my cards, and WHITE business
cards for the spectator's cards.
Show the black cards with 1,2,3 and the red cards with I,II,III,and ask the spectator to
choose either ones.Let's suppose you get the black/orange ones.
You align your cards on the table, in the order 2,3,1 and cover them with a napkin or you
hide them under beer mats or anything you like.
Now ask the spectator to shuffle their business cards in their back or under the table ,and to
align them as they come, below your own cards, from left to right or vice versa .Completely
free choice....
Case 1 : II , III , I
Do nothing
(Your cards and her cards will match)
Case 2: III , I , II :
Turn over your cards
(The numbers on your backs will match)
Case 3: I , II , III
Turn over the Spectator's cards
(The numbers on her backs will match)
I , III , II
Turn over either your cards , or her cards : the total will be 4
II , I , III
Do nothing . The total will be 4.
III , II , I
Turn both cards (hers and yours) : the total will be 4.
Additional thoughts :
- For your cards, you can use I,II,III ( or symbols with 1,2,or 3 lines) instead of the digits
1,2,3
- You will need to practice in order to avoid any hesitation for the revelation. As soon as the
spectator has aligned her cards, you should know what you are going to do .
Before removing the napkin , make sure you know what to do , and announce it .
If the prediction is needed for the « out », show it, but face down ,before removing the
napkin. Turn it face up only after having revealed the right combination .
- In case of doubt , you can retrieve easily what is under YOUR cards by adding « 1 » to the
face, modulo 3.
For instance, you have 2,3,1 for your cards , face up.
2+1 = 3 : so you have a three lines figure or drawing on the back
3+1=4 : 4 modulo 3 is 1 actually , so you have a one line drawing on the back
1+1=2 : so you have a two lines drawing ,or a roman II, on the back.
- Instead of having a single out , you could have three « outs » : one for each combination.
(I , III , II) , ( II , I , III) or (III , II , I)
- And finally, here is another solution that allows you to avoid the 'out' ,by saying at the
beginning of the experience :
« In order to make it more complex, none of your cards should match with mine. For
instance a « 2 » cannot be under a « II » .
Summary :
Assuming the initial position of the performer's business cards is 231 (or III, I , II on the
backs) :
(*) Depending on the spectator's choice, you will end up with either :
( I, II , III ) or ( III, I, II )
Note that in both cases, you will have to turn your own cards over.
On the same topic, you notice that in all cases actually, you will have to turn your cards !
( except of course, for the case where you have already II, III, I)
Due diligence :
I believe this little trick is original.I previously published a chair test (called
« CHAIR'Z ») ,which was based on the same principle. Here it is.
Introduction :
This is my take on a classic effect ( « The chair test »). Here, it is a very simple version, that
can look very impromptu . It is very practical too , and can be performed at a restaurant
table , a dinner party , on stage, etc.
Effect :
Three Spectators select a number 1, 2 or 3. Then, they select a chair after swapping with
others as they want. They cannot seat on their initial chair.
At the end, the prediction reveals their final choice.
Secret :
The selection procedure is very clever.Although it appears very fair and random, there will
be only two possibilities : 231 or 312
The prediction is then revealed with your favorite two-way out system.
Setup :
Presentation :
« You are now all mixed . You coud have been sitting anywhere ,but this is your final
choice. »
( If they say YES, make sure they do not seat back to their initial seat.)
« Please open the prediction » ( or you open yourself the prediction, depending on the kind
of two-way out system you use) .
The prediction is opened and it predicts exactly the position of each Participant...
Explanation :
CONCLUSION :
All you have to do is remember which side is 312 and which one is 231 in your two-way out
system...
You can just have a business card always prepared in your pocket with 231 for instance, and
during the performance, you write on another one 312 as your prediction ,and put it in the
same pocket as the other one,but close to your body for instance, in order to know which is
which. You can also use a Himber wallet instead of your pocket.
Another solution, is to fold the predictions in a billet , and do a billet switch if required at
the end.
I will also describe another solution that I like very much, but you will need some special
business cards and a VELLEDA pen or dry erasable ink marker.This solution will allow you
to have the prediction left in full view all the time during the performance.
I suggest to use a prepared business card and the X-PERT pen by Neil Tobin.The X-pert
looks like a normal Sharpie.You can also do it yourself...
Laminate the business card, or stick some plastic sheet for white boards ,on one of the
sides .You can find some rolls in stationery stores .They are used to build your own white
board and are usually sold with a VELLEDA marker or other brand.
The business card will act as a white board : you can write on it and erase it with your
fingers .
NOTE :
To make it more impromptu ,during meals or in pubs for instance , I simply write 2312 with
the Xpert ,on a blank and prepared card, and explain the order on my prediction will be
from left to right for spectators 123.
Recommended readings:
WITNESS
19/117 Gérard ZITTA 2013 - Business Cards -
Effect :
A spectator examines and shuffles a stack of business cards blank on both sides.
The performer asks her to think of a common object , for instance something she has in her
kitchen.
Without asking anything, the performer draws something on one of the business cards and
puts it face down on the table.
He hands the stack to the spectator and asks her to draw the object and to turn the drawing
face down.
The performer asks her to focus again on her drawing and draws a second drawing ,then
puts it on the table as well.
This time, the ressemblance will be very good.
Explanation :
You need two pen . Although this is not mandatory, it will be an additional convincer during
the performance .
A normal one
A black sharpie or a marker, that is thicker and has a darker ink than the previous
one. To experiment, draw a circle for instance with the first pen, and write over it
with the sharpie. The second drawing must cover entirely the first drawing.
You will need to know either what I call the « GZ control » , or the LePaul bluff pass. (the
easiest one) , or the « Venus trap » by Chris Brown .There may be other sleights you can
use.
Presentation :
Now here is the difference with the previous versions : Instead of doing a double lift, you
just turn the top card ( the spectator's drawing ), without showing the drawing on it of
course.
Instead of using the same pen as the spectator , you are going to use the sharpie (as for the
first drawing you did) ,or a thicker and darker ink pen.
You pretend to draw something . In reality, you write OVER the existing spectator's drawing
,and just modify it slightly, or add minor details to it. Those details should be similar to ,or
remind of your first drawing , if possible.
Now, you ask for a witness : Invite another spectator to have a look at your drawing, and to
put it face down on the table.
Ask your witness to take the first drawing you did , and ask him/her to describe out loud
what he sees .
Before he starts, take the business card that was hidden previously (the supposedly
spectator's card) and look at it , like if it was a nice surprise, without showing that it is a
blank card actually !
Put the card in your pocket and let your witness describe the first drawing .
Then ask him to reveal the second drawing, or to describe it first , if you want to keep some
suspense !
NOTE :
It is not mandatory to do a second drawing .
Here is another way to present this effect :
Just ask the spectator to draw something simple on the first business card , and then to turn
Don't let anybody ask for the drawing you put in your pocket.Immediately move to another
effect or run away (- :. Honestly, you won't have to ! The heat will be on the final drawing
,not on the spectator's one. You even used a witness .No switch was possible .
NOTE : You can also fail to find it by looking inside your pockets.
If somebody wants to look inside your pockets,here is a little subtlety : invite him (or her
(- ; to search. All they'll find is a few drawings done with different writings and pen ,
supposedly done by other spectators.Of course, you already put them in your pockets in
advance .
This never happens., believe me . Just propose a second experience and proceed with
another completely different effect .
Effect :
You hand an immaterial book to a spectator. (Or you can use a real book,newspaper or
magazine, that can be borrowed and freely selected by the spectator. Absolutely NO
FORCE.)
Ask her to open it at any page and remember any word on that page , then to write them on
a business card as a proof, and turn it face down , so you cannot see anything.
You take a blank business card and start describing letters and numbers, but the spectator
must reveal nothing ,whether you are right or wrong. A witness can watch you .
Ask her to concentrate a last time on her word and you do some corrections to your initial
guess on the business card.
Give this business card to a witness and ask her to reveal its contents.
It will be the right word and page number !
Presentation :
Hand a normal pen to a spectator with a stack of business cards .Ask the spectator to write
the secret word and the page number on a business card , and then to turn it face down.
NOTE : The pen should easily be covered later by a black sharpie .It is better to use one
Take the stack ,execute the « GZ control » (See Appendix) , and ask her to focus on her
word and page number .While doing the GZ control, show it as well to a witness from the
audience.Leave the top card under an object on the table ( supposedly her drawing ,but in
reality a blank card ).
You take your own sharpie, turn the top card without showing her drawing ,of course, and
write over it , modifying it slightly .
NOTE :
Here is a little subtlety . Before doing this,just put the stack of business cards on the table.
You are now going to do some « cold reading » and guess some letters loudly, but the
spectator has to say absolutely nothing,whether you are right or wrong.
You can say for instance :
« I can see a « E » ,a « N » , etc.
( Just announce the most commonly used letters in your language.In most languages ,they
will be E and N.)
Then take the stack, turn the top card over (hiding the writing on it of course), and start
writing some of the characters you just said .Cross one or two characters that were wrong ,
like if you did some mistakes , or changed your mind.
«Before you describe what I wrote , let me first have a look at the spectator's page and
word. »
You take the first drawing that was put under an object ,and look at it with a big smile !
(without showing anybody of course that it is a blank card) . If you want, you can also make
funny face, like if you missed your trick !
It will be a big surprise to the audience and to the first participant, as everything looked very
fair.
Look at the first spectator and say :
Appendix
After the GZ control ,you are now with a stack of business cards in hand, and the top card
contains the spectator's word and page number. The rest of the trick is just presentation.
Just turn this card over ,making sure you do not flash its back.
Step away from your witness spectator, as if you wanted to concentrate . Look at the first
spectator in the eyes,asking him to concentrate on the word .
Take your Sharpie, and write over the spectator 's word , changing the appearance of the
writing to disguise his writing style. Add also the letters E and N (for instance), the same
way that you wrote them previously during your first « cold reading ».
Instead of business cards, you can use double blank cards .The « GZ control » will be easier.
Otherwise, make sure you practice with business cards. There are some differences :
- Size
- Corners
- Slippery
It is preferable to have blank business cards made with similar paper material as playing
cards, One way is to do them yourself. Take a bunch of double blank cards and cut them at
business cards dimensions …
Otherwise, make sure both sides of the cards are slippy and that you don't have a « Rough
and smooth » effect .Test the orientation of the cards.One side may slip well ,while the other
side may stick to the card underneath .This is sometimes used in some tricks to have two
business cards stick together .
Introduction :
Effect :
Four MEN and four WOMEN are displayed, and reassembled in one single heap . The
spectators cut it freely , face down.Then, four cards are put in one pile and the other four in
another pile.
The men represent four guys who decided to place an ad in a newspaper to seek for ladies
for Valentines's day. The ad is spelled with the two piles and amazingly the men and the
women end up paired by suit.
Presentation :
For this presentation, it is better to have four ladies or four men as participants.We'll
suppose they are four ladies.
Write the four participants names on four different business cards.
Ask them to name four male names they know, or take the names of four men in the
audience.Write those names on four other business cards .
The eight business cards should all have the same back.
For the explanation, we'll call the four male names the « Kings » and the four female ones,
Now, ask another participant to run through the same process for the word : DESIRING
At the end, have the top card of each pile put on her side, face down.
And finally, ask another spectator to do the same with the word : WOMEN
Again, the top cards are put on her side face down.
Ask the fourth spectator to take the two remaining cards .This will be the fourth couple.
« All the couples have now been decided randomly and it was your free choice . Please have
a look at the result. Remember , it can be two Queens or two Kings ! We don't know. Let's
hope the result will match your sexual preferences whether you are hetero or bisexual !»
Each spectator will have a paired KING and QUEEN of the same suit each time !
Secret :
The effect is automatic.Just have the men's names and the ladies'names arranged in the same
suit order (for instance CHSD for the Kings, followed by CHSD for the Queens).
The heap can be cut many times, it does not matter.
After the cut, the four top cards just need to be reversed : Just deal them one by one in a
separate pile .Then follow the procedure and it will always end up with four matched pairs.
The other part of the secret is the spelling sentence. Each word needs to have a special
Explanation :
Generalisation :
I have never seen the explanation anywhere.Here it is.
This effect will work with any number of cards .
For N cards (N = number of cards in one pile – Both piles must have the same number of
cards ) , we need (N-1) words .
WORD 1 : N-1 or N-1+N=2N-1 or N-1+N+N=3N-1 etc.
N 2
Word 1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19
N 3
Word 1 2
Word 2 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19
N 4
Word 1 3 7 11 15 19 23
Word 2 2 5 8 11 14 17 20 23 26
Word 3 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19
N 5
Word 1 4 9 14 19 24
Word 2 3 7 11 15 19 23
Word 3 2 5 8 11 14 17 20 23 26
Word 4 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19
N 6
Word 1 5 11 17 23
Word 2 4 9 14 19 24
Word 3 3 7 11 15 19 23
Word 4 2 5 8 11 14 17 20 23
Word 5 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19
N 7
Word 1 6 13 20
Word 2 5 11 17 23
Word 3 4 9 14 19 24
Word 4 3 7 11 15 19 23
Word 5 2 5 8 11 14 17 20 23 26
Word 6 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19
N 8
Word 1 7 15 23
Word 2 6 13 20
Word 3 5 11 17 23
Word 4 4 9 14 19 24
Word 5 3 7 11 15 19 23
Word 6 2 5 8 11 14 17 20 23 26
Word 7 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19
Bob Longe – Hocus pocus pairs . Easy card tricks/Howard Adams Ramasee principle
(OICUFESP series of booklets)/
Larry Becker – Stunners plus – Computer dating /
Harry Lorayne – Apocalypse /
Paul curry - Karl FULVES – new self working tricks/
Paul Harris secrets of Astonishing executive (1991) The break- room boredom buster/
Jon Rachenbaumer 11/7/2000 , Pink sink /
Ammar business card miracles /
Match maker (cardworker 1999) - Mick Ayres (which ones will we match?)...
Effect :
Secret :
Very simple ! The color is forced. Then the Suit and then the Value of the card.
There are many ways to force but the beauty of this effect is the MATSUYAMA force.
Setup :
With the MATSUYAMA force, the effect is 100% impromptu and you don't even need a
deck of playing cards.
All you need are a bunch of normal business cards. They can be borrowed.
Alternatively, you can use pieces of newspaper, playing cards,beer mats, flyers, etc...
The patter will vary according to the information you want to force.
This principle can also be used in other routines .
Here we'll do a card effect without cards !This is perfect if somebody is asking you for a
card trick ,or if somebody tells you that he doesn't like card tricks or cards .
« Ladies and gentemen, I am going to present you a card effect without cards ! »
« Also, I am not going to ask you to select a card. You are going to eliminate 51 cards ! »
« I know, the result is the same, but doing this way is longer and we have plenty of time ! »
« All I need is a bunch of business cards. Can you please give me your card, and you too... »
Do this until you have 20 or 30 business cards. If needed, take your own cards , give them
for examination and add them to the ones you collected from the audience.
If you are in a pub, just use beer mats.
If there is a newspaper handy, or a magazine, tear pages into small square pieces.
Take a business card and write the card you want to predict (for instance the QUEEN of
DIAMONDS)
Give it to a Spectator to put into his pocket without looking at it.
RED or BLACK :
For instance, let's say you want to force RED .
Ask the Spectator to take any number he wants without showing you .
Ask him if he wants to start with RED or with BLACK.
If he says RED :
Tell him to take the top card and put it on the bottom . Say « RED »
Then to take the next card and put it on the table, saying «BLACK»
Then to take the next one and put it on the bottom, saying «RED»
Then to take the next card and put it on the table, saying «BLACK»
and so on, until only one card is left : it will always be RED in this case.
If he says BLACK:
Tell him to take the top card and put it on the table, saying «BLACK»
Then to take the next one and put it on the bottom, saying «RED»
HEARTS or DIAMONDS :
You have forced RED. The suit can therefore be HEARTS or DIAMONDS.
Let's say you want to force DIAMONDS for instance .
Ask another Spectator to take any number of cards , or else ,he wants without showing you .
Ask him if he wants to start with HEARTS or DIAMONDS.
If he says DIAMONDS :
Tell him to take the top card and put it on the bottom . Say « DIAMONDS »
Then to take the next card and put it on the table, saying « HEARTS »
Then to take the next one and put it on the bottom, saying « DIAMONDS »
Then to take the next card and put it on the table, saying « HEARTS »
and so on, until only one card is left : it will always be DIAMONDS in this case.
If he says HEARTS :
Tell him to take the top card and put it on the table, saying « HEARTS »
Then to take the next one and put it on the bottom, saying « DIAMONDS »
Then to take the next card and put it on the table, saying « HEARTS »
and so on, until only one card is left : it will always be DIAMONDS again.
SPOT or FIGURE
Now, we need to force a FIGURE card.
Ask another Spectator to add or remove business cards again , without showing you.
Do the same procedure as before .Be consistent with the previous procedure. If you started
by dealing on the table previously , say SPOT and deal the card on the table first.
If you started by dealing on the bottom, say FIGURE and put the top card on the bottom.
Anyway, you have now forced FIGURE and DIAMONDS.
VALUE
Now you need to force the Value.
To make it short, we have forced a figure. So the card can only be a Jack, Queen or King.
If you want to force the Queen, just redo the procedure and say MALE or FEMALE .
When you deal the cards to the bottom, make sure it is always when you say FEMALE, and
you will always end up with FEMALE in your hand ( or the Spectator's hands).
If you want to force the JACK for instance, then you need to add another pass. First force
MALE.
Then force JACK by saying JACK and KING.
At the end , you will have determined a card : for instance the QUEEN of DIAMONDS in
our example.
Ask the Spectator to take the prediction out of his pocket and read it aloud.
Final thoughts :
Due diligence :
Introduction :
Here is a principle you can use for different effects ( color sensing , matching/coincidence ,
etc.)
Effect :
The Performer makes two piles of four business cards . For instance one pile with movies
and another pile with their director or main actor .
One with KINGS for instance and one with QUEENS .
Or one with husbands and one with wives.
Or one with 4 colors and the other one with objects(or fruits,flowers,etc.) of the same colors
Or one with rate exchanges ( for instance , on four business cards, you write 1$ , 1€ , 1£ and
1 Brasilian real. , and on the other four cards, you write the rate exchange in dollars . For
instance 1 for the dollar, 1.3 for the EURO , 1.5 for the British Pound, and 0.5 for the Real)
The Spectator selects which pile goes on top and cuts as much as he/she wants.
The Performer reassembles the pairs just by sensing the cards with his fingers.
Explanation :
Example :
Remove the two cards and reassemble the cards, without disturbing the order.
Have the spectator cut again the cards as many times as desired , and you are ready to start
again with six cards.This time, mentally count to 3 ( 6 divided by 2 is 3) instead of 4.
And so on...
NOTES :
- Color sensing :
Instead of Kings and Queens, you can just use Black and Red ( or other colors)
You can also use any number of cards as long as there are as many Black cards, as red
cards.Therefore the number of cards must be even.
The setup can be impromptu.You need an even number of cards with as many black cards
than red cards. Just write « RED » or « BLACK » on the business cards.
For instance, make two piles in the following way ,apparently picking the cards randomly:
Put a red card ,face down, for instance in pile 1 and a red one as well in pile 2
Then another red card in pile 1 and same for pile 2.
Then you can put a black one in both piles.
Then a red one.
And so on.No matter if it's red or black as long as long as it is the same in both piles.
Then you can assemble the piles and have them cut many times. You can do a Charlier false
cut, or the Paul ROSINI false cut, etc.
With this simple setup you can perform a color sensing effect.
Just ask the Spectator to cut the packet and to remove the face card without showing you.
You will divine his color just by peeking the middle card.
One simple handling is to casually cut the business cards in the middle and peek the bottom
color .
Due diligence :
I think the basic principle is from Walter Brown Gibson (September 12, 1897 - December 6,
1985) .
Effect :
The Performer takes some business cards out of his wallet ,and writes some money values
( e.g 50 $ , 100 $ , etc. ).Then he gives some of the cards to a Spectator, to count how much
he's got. Explain that if he answers right to two questions , he/she will win 50 Dollars.
The Performer asks the Spectator to put 100 Dollars and hide them under a beer mat or else.
« How much is under the beer mat ? » . Easy ! « 100 dollars ».
Now, more difficult. The Performer adds 100$ from his own money under the beer mat.
« How much is now under the beer mat ? » . Easy again ! « 200 dollars ».
The Spectator checks and indeed there are 200$.
« So you won 50$. Give me 150$ and you keep the 200$ .»
« Now put them inside your pocket with your other cards».
« Now watch, one of the 100$ cards is going to travel invisibly from your pocket to mine. »
The Performer approaches his hand close to the Spectator's pocket without touching it ,and
moves it inside his pocket.
« Count how much you have got now in your pocket»
Indeed, 100$ are missing from his pocket ! They have disappeared in the most mysterious
way.Watch the Spectator's face ! It always works. Even if they realize afterwards , they will
enjoy this scam .
Setup:
Presentation :
Give 8 business cards, for instance 100$+50$ + 100$ + X$ + X$ +X$ +X$ + X$ to the
spectator
All you need is to keep at least one 100$ card for you . The other 6 ones can be indifferent .
Try to give a simple amount of money (for instance the total should be 300$ ,(not 305 for
instance)
« Imagine these business cards are dollar bills. Please count how much you have got and
write it down.Let somebody else check as well » (Let's say he's got 300$)
« As it is « Happy hour » ,I am going to ask you two questions . If your answers are right to
both questions you will win 50 Dollars ! ».
The Performer asks the Spectator to put a 100$ bill and hide it under a beer mat or else.
Now, more difficult. The Performer adds 100$ from his own money , under the beer mat.
« How much is now under the beer mat ? » . Easy !
« 200 dollars ».
« Are you sure ? » « Do you want to check ?»
NOTE: instead of using the pockets, you can just keep the business cards in hands or on the
table.
Explanation :
Just follow the instructions and it's automatic. It's your wording that fools the audience..
When the spectator takes the 200$ , there is actually 100$ from his own money. So he
actually gives you 150$ and « wins » actually only 100$. So in fact, he looses 50$ !
So, let say he has 300$ at the very beginning. He puts 100$ on the table. He has now 200$
left. He gives you 150$ . He now has 50$ . He takes the 200$ . He now has 250$ instead of
having 300$ + 50$ . (In the Spectator's mind, He/She won an extra 50$ , so they think they
have now 350$ .But actually they have only 250$ . This is why during the performance, I
make a 100 $ card travel ( 350 – 250 = 100 $ ).
Effect:
Use the same fifteen cards as in the previous effect « Happy hour ».
Presentation :
Ask the Spectator to show his hands wide open and palms up.
The Performer takes the fifteen business cards , and deals them in pairs in the spectator's
hands (or on the table) .For instance you will end up with four pairs in his Left hand and
three pairs in his Right hand.
But when you count, just say: “one pair” , “another pair” , “another pair” , etc.
He then adds the last bill in the right hand,. Point out that “there is now , an incomplete
pair in the right hand”.
The Spectator (or the Performer) takes the right hand cards and counts also pair by pair on
the two previous heaps. There will be of course an extra business card.
The Spectator is asked in which heap he wants to add the extra business card.
It doesn't matter which heap is selected .
The Performer again,says that the extra card is going to travel invisibly from one hand to the
other. Fake to take a business card invisibly between two fingers and throw it in the other
heap.
The spectator checks by counting the business cards and indeed , the extra card is now in the
other hand !
Explanation :
It's an odd/even mathematical principle known as the “piano trick”. Just follow the
instructions above. The effect is automatic.Again, It's your wording that fools the audience.
ADDITIONAL IDEAS :
Explanation: the addition and substraction are done at the wrong time above. Actually, each
one paid 9$ ( initially 10$ , and each one got 1 dollar back . ). But the tip is already included
in there !
It's actually 25$ for the meals + 3$ change + 2$ tip = 30$
- For the first part , I have no idea of who invented this scam . I learned it in a pub from a
crook !
- The second part is based on the « piano trick », a classic in magic (probably 100 years
old ). It is in Martin Gardner book “Math and Magic” for instance.
This routine can be followed by my « SCAM ACAAN » effect involving money too. It is
explained in this ebook .
Introduction:
This effect is based on the classic « Find the Lady » plot. It can be done , not only without
touching the cards but also without looking, on the phone , remotely ,etc . It can also be
done with many spectators simultaneously , or be pre-recorded . You will get three
methods : With 3 , with 4 , and with 5 business cards.
On the business cards , you will have to write or draw the indifferent cards or symbols, and
the winning one (« the money card » or « the Lady » )
For explanation purposes , we will call the indifferent business cards : the BLACK cards
and the Money card : the RED card.
Effect:
Setup :
Just borrow three business cards (or take your own) and write RED , BLACK1 and
BLACK2. You could also write WIN , LOSE1 and LOSE2 for instance, or GOAT1,GOAT2
and FERRARI .
I will explain the method with two blacks and one red.
Secret :
The second card you swap will always be the remaining card . Read on...
Presentation :
The Performer shows the two Black cards (BLACK 1 and BLACK 2) and a Red Queen .
He explains the rules and turns his back.
NOTE : It is very important that you explain the moves before turning your back. More
specifically, explain clearly that if there is no card on the right (or on the left) for instance,
the Spectator will have to do nothing.
The Spectator shuffles freely the three business cards, and aligns them in any order from
Left to Right, face up.
The Performer now gives the following instructions , without seeing anything :
INSTRUCTIONS 1
Summary :
INSTRUCTIONS 2
Summary :
For this version you will need three black cards and a red card .
Ask the Spectator to shuffle the four cards and align them in a row.
For the explanations, we will assume the Spectator is in front of the Performer.
« I am going to turn my back and when I tell you , you will swap the RED CARD with the
card on its right or on its left. If there is nothing on its right, then you have no other choice
than swapping with the one on its left of course. »
SECRET:
For this variation, you do not need to differenciate the Black cards .You can just write Black
on all of them.
Before turning , all you need to remember is the position of the RED card from your
RIGHT.
When you are facing the cards :
(Your LEFT) 4 3 2 1 (Your RIGHT)
When you will have your back turned, your LEFT and your RIGHT will be the SAME as
the Spectator's.
CASE 1 :
The RED business card was in an EVEN position at the beginning:
6. the RED card ends up in 1 or 3 :
Ask the Spectator :
« Remove the card on your RIGHT. »
This is the fourth card.
NOTE : The LADY is now at one of the ends of the row (either on the left or on the right, it
does not matter)
7. « Swap again the LADY with any of the adjacent card. »
NOTE : The LADY will now be in the MIDDLE .
8. « Remove the card on the Right »
9. « Remove the card on the Left »
CASE 2 :
The LADY was in an ODD position at the beginning
6. the LADY ends up in 2 or 4 : Ask the Spectator :
« Remove the card on your LEFT. »
This is the 1rst card.
NOTE : The RED card is now at one of the ends of the row (either on the left or on the
right, it does not matter)
7. « Swap again the RED card with any of the adjacent card. »
NOTE : The RED card will now be in the MIDDLE !
8. « Remove the business card on the Right »
9. « Remove the card on the Left »
SUMMARY :
Effect:
Five cards are aligned on the table by the Spectator . The Performer does not look .The
Participant thinks of one of the cards . She mixes the cards .
The Performer turns back and reveals the thought card .
Setup :
None.
Secret :
After the two first instructions , the thought card will always be the one in the middle .
Presentation :
Write five different cards (or else : objects, first names,etc.) on five business cards.The
Spectator is asked to s to align them in a row ,in any order She wants.
“Please number the cards from 1 to 5, you can start from the right of from the left . Which
one is number 1 ?”
Point to the next card and say:
“ So this one is Number 2, this one 3, this one 4 and this one 5 , right ?”
« Please write 1,2,3,4,5 on them »
The Performer turns his back so he does not see and say:
“Please think of one of the 5 cards, don't tell me . Remember which number it is.
If you want,point with your index to show the card to the audience.”
“We are now going to mix the business cards”.
“Take the first business for instance and move it to the other end of the row.”
“Take the next card, and move it to the other end of the row.”
“Now let's make it more difficult . I don't know which Number was your card, so please
move that many cards to the other end of the row. For instance, if your card was Number 4,
move 4 cards, one by one or all together .”
NOTE: At this point, the Spectator's card will always be the one in the middle !
So now it's a matter of continuing to mix without moving this card from the middle.For
instance, you can say:
Inspirations :
The methods employed are not new! They are classics ,based on pure logic.
According to the Magic Cafe Forum ,here are similar effects.
Mind Monte ( Bob Hummer) , David Lees /Peter Duffie « miraculous minds » but I am sure
every mentalist/magician has his own version based on one of these.
Effect :
Secret:
The “two-way out” principle is used for the first question of the one-ahead cycle.
The Double lifts allow to have the three cards in the right order at the end.
Setup:
You will need three BLANK business cards or pieces of rigid paper . Or you can use
anything else that has the same design on both sides and enough empty space to write on it.
METHOD
NOTE: If you don't know the POSITIVE NEGATIVE secret, don't worry. Just write
HEARTS if RED and SPADES if BLACK. If you are wrong, it will actually look as if the
Participant was wrong !
And it will make the effect more realistic if it fails. One fail in three is not too bad after all
Do a double lift again and put the two first business cards as one to the bottom.
Ask the Spectator to light the lighter and tell you which value he thinks I wrote . Ask him to
write it on his business card so that everybody can see.
Remember this Value.
Ask the Spectator to light the lighter and tell you which number he thinks I wrote . Ask him
to write it on his business card so that everybody can see.
Remember this Value.
Turn the two cards as one but , THIS TIME , DO NOT put the two first business cards to
the bottom.
Just let them on top and put your stack on the table . They will already be in the right order.
Say:
“I am done”
Ask the Spectator to light the lighter and tell you which suit he thinks I wrote . Ask him to
write it again on his business card , in front of 3. This time you don't need to see what he
writes.
Revelations :
Ask the Spectator to align your three cards himself ,without looking at the back yet.
“We are now going to check the results”
Turn the VALUE card slowly and compare with the Spectator's card.
Then the NUMBER .
For the SUIT, take the card yourself, look at it , make a funny face as if this one was wrong
and show it finally to everybody. This is just to make sure you hide the « NO » at the top or
not, depending on the suit you see on the last business card .It will also create some
suspense for the final revelation!
NOTE:
As a mnemonic, I use VENUS ( V for Value, N for Number and S for Suit).This helps me to
remember in which order I should ask the questions.
Do a double lift again and put the two top cards on the bottom. ( or bring the bottom one to
the top)
« ok , I am committed. Please tell everybody here what you think I chose and write my
STARTER on the order notepad for further reference ».
« Now, I am going to write my choice for the MAIN COURSE on the second business
card. »
Write « 2. MAIN COURSE » on the top business card and show it to everybody.
Make a Double lift , and write actually the STARTER you heard previously.
Do a double lift again and put the two top cards on the bottom as one ( or bring the bottom
one to the top) .
« ok , I am committed. Please tell everybody which main course you think I chose .
Let's write it on the notepad as a proof for later ».
« Now , I am going to write my choice for the DRINK on the second business card. »
Write « 3. DRINK » and show it to everybody.
Due diligence:
- One ahead principle . But I wanted a way to get the billets in the right order at the end.
Double lifts or turnovers simply solved the problem .
Here is a principle that may be useful to you to. It is impromptu . All you need is nine
business cards .
Effect :
Some words are written on business cards . The Participant selects one of the words and
keeps it secret .He then spells whether he likes it or not ( He can lie , he can select the words
he wants to spell). The Performer finds the word just by listening to his voice .
You can also use this as part of cold reading .
Explanation :
I will explain the effect with nine playing cards but it can be adapted to business cards with
words, or numbers, etc).
The Spectator chooses 9 cards and makes 3 piles of 3 cards.He/she selects one pile and
looks at the card in the center of this pile.The piles are reassembled and the Spectator is
asked to spell his first name ,one by one on the table ,and to put the rest of the pack on top.
Then he spells «LIKES» .( or HATES )
And finally he spells any word he likes ( less than nine letters)
The Performer then divines the chosen card.
This way, the selected card will always end up third from the FACE ( or seventh from TOP)
Presentation:
The patter and presentation must hide the mathematical aspect of the trick. The sentence you
will spell has to be justified .
First you have to decide what will be the first word . It can be a first name for instance.
Then depending on the situation , you can adapt for the second word. The only restriction is
that it must be 5 characters long. For instance, if you are at a restaurant , you can use
« LIKES » for the second word and for the third word either the name of the restaurant, or
the name of a dish ,vegetable , meat, or the name of the city , etc. (any word less than 9
letters)
If you are at a wedding , use the maid's names.
If it is for a trade show , use company names
In a pub, use drinks or cocktails names
etc.
Once you have decided on the sentence ( For instance : « Helen loves Paris » ) , you have to
justify the 9 cards and the 3 heaps . If there are 9 people at a table , it's easy. Or if your
sentence is about cities , just say « Imagine 3 countries like UK, France and Brazil . And 3
cities in each country like Paris, Rio, London , etc. ».
The words you will write on the business cards, must be less than 9 letters each.That's the
only restriction.
Example of presentation:
The Spectator chooses 9 cards , shuffles them and makes 3 piles of 3 cards.
We must control the selected card in 2nd position from TOP. Here is one way to do this :
He/she selects one pile and looks at the card in the center of this pile.Then he puts his pile
on top of the two other ones
The piles are reassembled and you know the selected card is second from the top .
Due diligence:
I have no idea where this old principle comes from. If somebody knows, please drop me a
mail and I will add the references here.
Effect :
Ask the spectator to write on the business cards ,one thing she likes very much and ,on the
other ones, things she does not like or that she likes less , without giving you any clue.
This can be what she likes the most in a man , or cocktails. It can be general stuff like
LOVE , MONEY , HEALTH , WORK , FAMILY , FREEDOM , HAPPYNESS , SUCCESS
, FRIENDS
etc.
You are going to guess her thought, by spelling the following sentence :
When you hand the cards to the spectator, you secretly mark the card with your nail .Or you
secretly make a dot with the pen.
You ask her to write the thing that she likes on this card.
Then, she writes the other words .
You ask her to shuffle the cards and to let you have a look at the words she wrote.
You take the cards and ask her to think of the word she likes , while you show them to her
one by one.
When you're done, it's a simple matter to rearrange the cards and casually position the
marked card in second position from the top !
Go through the spelling procedure ,as explained above, and reveal her thought word...
DEAD or ALIVE
Same as above , but you ask the spectator to write the name of one person you don't know,
that she likes very much .You ask her if this person is still alive .
If yes, you ask her now to write the names of other persons who are dead.
If no, you ask her to write the names of other persons who are still alive.
(Of course, you should not know those persons )
You are going to guess the person with the following sentence :
Introduction
I called this method « Addition » because it adds a card on top of the spectator's card .This
is what I use to peek any information written on a business card (or to peek a chosen
card during a card trick).
It can be used for pre-show or for a drawing duplication ,for any type of divination, for cold
reading,etc.
Effect :
The Spectator examines some business cards .While the performer turns his back, he draws
anything he wants ( object , number, word, etc.) on one of them , and turns the card face
down on the stack.
The performer shows the card to the audience (without looking) and gives it to the spectator
to guard in his pocket or under an object on the table, etc..He does all this without looking
of course.
The performer then duplicates the drawing on a blank card.
Method :
It is based on a sleight I called the « GZ control ».It moves a selection from first to second
position .
If you know of another way to accomplish the same thing and move the spectator's card in
second position when it is replaced in the deck , that's fine.But it has to look VERY FAIR
and nothing « fishy » .
There are other moves I am sure, but this is the one I use all the time, and I can guarantee
you it is very deceptive and nobody has ever suspected anything fishy.
Another sleight that would work, is « the Venus trap » by Chris BROWN .
He mentions a pass by Chris Kenner in « Out of control », and a 1949 substitute for the
double lift by George Pughe.
A great performer and cards expert ,Julien MANRY ,told me that Lennart GREEN and Guy
PARDILLOS also had moves that can be used instead of the « GZ control ».
The boldest way would be the LePaul « Bluff pass », but you cannot use it for all the effects.
I will teach in this ebook another way to do the GZ control.This is the one I use with
business cards or for mental card tricks.
Here is the new move :
Have a stack of thirty business cards or so, (or double blank cards cards).
Here is a bold ,but very useful idea : I bought a lot of double blank Bicycle decks and had
the cards cut at a dimension slightly bigger than business cards.You just need to have the
long sides cut actually .
They look like blank business cards, but are easier to manipulate than business cards (those
have a tendency to stick together and are not easy to manipulate...)
The participant can examine them. Hand him a pen and turn your back.
Ask the spectator to sign on the top half of the business card , and to draw or write
something under the signature.
When he is done, he has to turn the card over, in order to have his drawing face down.He
can check that nothing can be seen through the card .
After some talk, take the stack back and without looking , you are going to execute the
«move ». You can close your eyes too, if you want .
Hold the business cards in your left hand, with the thumb on top.
Now, here is the change from the other method : Take the card with the other hand, and
show it openly in full view to the audience or to the spectator.
While you do this, slightly push the top card with your left thumb :
The right hand now inserts the business card between the index and the main finger :
The right hand just has to push down the card and you are done !
The top card is now an indifferent card and the second card is the spectator's card .
Practice this simple move to make it smooth and natural . It is KEY to success,and you will
have a killer weapon !
You are now with a stack of business cards in hand, and the top card contains the spectator's
drawing. The orientation of the drawing may or may not be the right one, depending on how
the spectator handled the card, but it does not really matter to duplicate it.
Like in « twin peeks » , the same methods can be used to see the drawing.
- Variation 4 :
Shuffle the stack of cards , cut it, or have it cut by the spectator .
Casually spread the cards to show they are all blanks.
Turn the stack over : If you spread the cards briefly and widely toward you , the drawing
will appear .Cut the stack of cards to bring the drawing to the rear.
Spread again all the cards casually, except a few bottom ones in order not to flash the
drawing.Again, all the cards are blank .
You do all this while you are talking . I talk about the cards, complaining that I have no clue
and that I am in « deep cheat » (- : as this is not a normal deck of cards , there is no way the
cards can give me a clue as they are all blank, and I wished they were real playing cards .It
would be much easier to find a card !
Then, turn over again the whole stack. The spectator's card is face down on top.
NOTE : Other methods are possible ,using sleights like the « KM move » or the « Kelly
bottom replacement » or « Ovette Master move » .
Finale :
Here is another difference with the previous methods revealed in « Twin peeks » : Here, you
are going to do your drawing(or else) on the BACK of the spectator's drawing !
You can ask for a witness to watch you , while you are now going to try and read the mind
of the other spectator .Make sure you SIGN the card as well .Have the witness sign it as
well if you want !
And when you are done, just put it face up on top of the (supposedly) spectator's drawing on
the table.
The spectator should be very surprised , and his reaction should be enough to close the
effect! Thank the participant for opening his mind so well , and for making this experience
successful .
Casually do a false Mexican turnover ,or use misdirection just after you reveal your
drawing, to simply turn over both cards at the same time and reverse their order to bring the
drawing on top. They will see a blank card (supposedly the back of your drawing) and the
spectator's drawing with his signature .
Take both cards away and put them casually in your pocket . Do not put them back on top of
the stack and you are clean...You can have the stack examined .
Proceed with another effect or redo the same one ,but use a completely different
presentation and method . ( use one described in « Twin peeks » for instance that would
allow you to leave them with the drawings as a souvenir.)
99% IMPROMPTU
Introduction
Janus V3 is a very simple and practical two-way out system.It is impromptu as long as you
have a number of business cards and a wide elastic band (Although this could be replaced
by a gimmicked clip or piece of metal , or a ribbon.). You actually predict whether it was
right or wrong.
It can also be used to hide a secret message.
With this system, for some of the effects , you can « reverse » the prediction . I mean that
the spectator has to guess what you have written and not the opposite.
Some examples :
- Honey moon
This effect was published in « Love Mysteries 1 ».
A lady names two places where she thinks you (or she) would like to go for your
honeymoon. You write your place on a business card (that can be borrowed and
examined) .When she reveals her thought, you amazingly predicted it !
- Heads or Tails
- Red or black
The performer writes a prediction.
The spectator shuffles a deck of cards and selects a card face down.
The performer predicts whether the card was RED or BLACK.
- Lottery
The spectator has to guess which prize you would like to win at a lottery.
- Sports game
You predict which team will win . Can be any game with two opponents or teams of course.
Etc.
Secret :
Here is the « Honeymoon » effect in more details . This is the one I will use for the
explanation. For the other effects, I think it is obvious ,but I will give some brief
explanations later.
You present some business cards and give them out for examination.They could be
borrowed.The lady names two places in the world where she (or yourself) would like to go
for her honeymoon.
« Now try to guess in your mind which one I am going to choose. »
You have the lady examine and sign one of the business cards . You write one of the two
places under her signature and put it face down on the table ;.
You declare : « I wrote the place where I would like to go myself. ».
« Which place dis I write on the business card in your opinion ? »
When she reveals her thought, you predicted what she would say,whether it is right or
wrong .
Explanation :
You know the old OTL (« Out To Lunch ») principle. It is probably more than 100 years
old.This is what inspired me... But you do not have to prepare anything.All you need is a
pack of normal business cards ( 20 or 30) and a wide rubber band. The number of cards will
depend on the size (circumference) of the rubberband.
The second part of the secret here is Max Maven « Positive / Negative ». If you don't know
the secret , it is on Video Mind Volume 2.
Ask the lady to sign the upper part of the business card ( above the rubber band).
When you write your prediction, you secretly write also , the « Positive/Negative »
information under the wide rubberband (just pushing the rubberband with your thumb , or
« rolling » it).
Write it on the left hand side of the business card.
And, on the lower part of the business card, you write either one of the two places she
named, it does not matter which one.
But how can you give your business card in the first case as well ?
There are two possibilities : either you write the hidden information with an erasable ink
marker and rub it off with your thumb,when it is not needed, before handling the business
card , or you use a subtlety :
« I sign it for you with my name on it. » (or whatever you decide to hide the « NO »)
Instead of writing ANONYMOUS, you can write something else, as long as it hides the NO
and suits your patter. For instance : UNKNOWN xxx, KNOWN xxxx , SNOOPY , NOW ,
WOW ! ,NOON , NOT xxx, NOTE : xxx, TEL. No ! , My Name is := , etc.
NOTE : You can enlarge the possibilities , depending on how you write the « NO » (with
capital characters or small, style, spacing between the N and the O , style/font , etc.) you
can create different words .
I have exagerated the writing in the photograph below. Note that the «exclamation mark
« ! » was not necessary and should have been avoided. It is just here for the demo.
Photo A :
Photo B :
Photo C :
You can find all sizes for wide rubber bands in office supplies stores (but they are difficult
to find in my city) , or on the web.The width should be 10 mm .The length (when laid flat)
should be between 50 to 80 mm depending on the number of business cards you want to
carry with you. It is called « L.A.P » in French , standing for « Longueur à plat » .So if you
cut the rubber band and you measure it , it will be approximately two times the « L.A.P »
You can also do it yourself with a bike inner tube . Just cut it with scissors at the right
dimension ( about 0.5 inch or 10 mm )
Instead of a rubber band you can use curling ribbon (used for wrapping gifts), but you have
to justify it. For instance you can wrap your pack of business cards like a gift and the
spectator must guess which prize you would like to win at a lottery or as a present. For
instance : 1 Million dollar cash or 20k$ per month for the rest of your life .If you want to
play a joke : a Ferrari or a goat ? .
- You can build a gimmick with a piece of metal that you bend around your business cards.
- You can sew a band of elastic sold in mercery shops for fabrics .
- Watch when you go to buy vegetables .Sometimes they are attached with large rubber
bands.
Final thoughts :
« YES, it will...
NOT
be NICE,in France . »
The « NOT » is hidden under the rubberband.With this idea, you can better allow the
spectator to win all the time.The « YES » or « CONGRATS ! » will make it look like a WIN
You can also write words like : WITH or WITHOUT ,etc .
- Variation : The secret information hidden by the rubberband , can be written with an
erasable dry marker ink and you would erase it or not during the performance depending on
the spectator's answer.(I suggest you order an Xpert pen from Neil Tobin.)
This solution, allows you also to give away the business card without having to « disguise »
the secret information. Just rub it off with your thumb, when it is not needed ,while you
remove the business card to give it away .Everything is left examinable at the end.
The drawback is that it is not examinable at the beginning and you cannot use standard
business cards.
Recommended readings :
Terri Rogers - « Wipe-out »
Neil TOBIN – Xpert ( http://www.necromancerevents.com/ ).
Kenton KNEPPER - « X factor »
Scott GUINN - « Assertive positive/negative »
Max MAVEN - Videomind Volume 2
I will now briefly explain some other effects you can present with Janus V3 .
Effect :
An invisible coin is tossed and the spectator must guess whether it is heads or
tails.Whatever he says, the prediction will always be right.
Explanation :
Write :
« No » (under the rubberband)
« The coin will be HEADS side up »
Effect :
Explanation :
Write :
« The card will
« not » (under the rubberband)
« be RED »
Lottery
Effect :
The spectator has to guess which prize you would like to win at a lottery.
Explanation :
Write :
« No » ( under the rubberband )
« I would like to win
« …. » ( write here one of the two prizes )
Gift
Same as above.
It can be two presents for any occasion ( a birthday , Christmas , wedding, etc.)
You predict which team will win at a sports event for instance. Can be any game with two
opponents or teams , of course.
Explanation :
Effect :
The Performer puts a prediction enveloppe on the table with a deck of cards .He will not
touch them again .
He takes some business cards with big money values written on them.They will represent
bank notes . The performer then asks the Spectator to THINK of a SUIT , then a VALUE
and finally of a NUMBER between 1 and 52.Each time, the Performer bets some money on
the table and tries to guess the spectator's replies..
At the end, the Spectator opens the enveloppe and it contains the card and the number
thought by the Spectator ! The card is also revealed in a surprising manner with the « money
business cards » that were used to bet.
Optionnally, the deck is then counted and the card is found in the deck .
Secret :
The old one-ahead principle of course. But the presentation is really nice. You'll see.
- A deck of cards .
I will come back on this one . The deck is not mandatory .The effect is as good just with a
prediction enveloppe.
- A normal enveloppe
- Inside, put a business card with on one side all the cards ,and on the other side, all the
numbers from 1 to 52, either printed or handwritten .
NOTES :
The following ideas are just for information .
- Instead of business cards, you can ,of course, use dummy bills . Prepare them on their
backs , as above , and laminate them .That way, they do not take much space in pockets and
you are always ready to perform , without ruining them.
I also write the value of the bill in case the back of the bills is not printed . That way, I can
« play » and hesitate for which bill I am going to bet. This gives me time to look for the
right card or to look on the crib sheet ).
- Optional : On another bill , write a crib sheet to help you finding the position of the card in
a stacked deck.This is in case you want also to reveal the card in a real deck of cards.
Add two blank bills without inscription on them , on top of the prepared bills and two on the
bottom .
Put a rubber band around the stack and put everything in your pocket with the enveloppe
(and a deck of cards if needed for the optional phase ).
Presentation :
Place the envelope on the table away from you ,or give it to a member of the audience to
guard.
Take the stack of business cards (or bills),unwrap the rubber band and say :
Hopefully, one Participant will lie the idea of earning some money and join you for the
experiment (- :
«The goal of this experiment, is to test our mental capabilities through telepathy. I am going
« Here are some business cards . I have written some money value on each .As you can see,
they are big bucks. »
« First, think of a SUIT ( CLUBS, HEARTS, SPADES or DIAMONDS) , but do not say
anything . » .
You seem to think for a moment, looking in the Spectator's eyes.Then you look at the bills
and take the one with OF written on it ( without showing anybody of course.You place the
bill on the table ,written face down.
You should get some reactions . If the Spectator says YES !!!! all is fine .
Otherwise,if he says NO , tell him that the important thing is the prediction you put on the
side inside the enveloppe .
If the Participant does not want to tell you, say that you need to know as well as the
audience to check later on that he did not change his mind or cheat !
At the end of this first phase, you should know the SUIT .(For instance DIAMONDS)
You continue.
« Now...Think of a VALUE , but do not say anything .Just think. »
Same as before. You concentrate and finally, put a banknote UNDER the first one. This time
you choose among your bills, the one that is written with the SUIT selected by the Spectator
during Phase 1.
« OK, I bet that much money that the VALUE of your card is a QUEEN ! »
Whether you are right or not, it does not matter . At the end , you need the Participant to tell
everybody what the VALUE was .( For instance an EIGHT )
« Now, you are going to imagine the position of your card in the deck. It should be between
1 and 52 ….Think of a Number between 1 and 52 . »
One more time, you are going to play to guess the number thought by the Spectator,
You look at your bills and seem to hesitate on which value you are going to bet .Of course
you are looking for the crib sheet and for the position of the card that now you know is the 8
I suggest to write your number on a beer mat or a business card or piece of paper , and NOT
to ask the Participant to write down his own number.Do not even ask him about his
number .
« At the beginning of the game, I placed this enveloppe here and haven't touched it .
You have freely chosen a card and a number.
If your card and your number are NOT on the prediction, you keep all the money .
But, if your card and your number are on my prediction , then I take my money back . Is that
fair ? »
« OK, let's check ! Please open the enveloppe and look at my prediction. »
Depending on which side the card is extracted from the enveloppe, you could say :
« You thought of the 8 of DIAMONDS . Is the 8 of DIAMONDS printed on the
prediction ? »
Of course, it will !
« And you thought of number xxx. Check on the back . It is also printed . »
« So I keep my money ! »
Everybody will be disappointed as you started with a serious experiment and end up with a
gag …
Wait for the right moment, with a smile and point to the bills on the table.
Ask somebody to turn over the banknotes.They will see
8 …... OF ...… DIAMONDS
written on the three business cards.
It is always a big surprise ! You don't even need to continue with the final phase, as
everybody forgot about the number ! Try it and you will see.
« What about the numbers ? Let's see who is right ? What was yours ? »
NOTES :
The simplest way is to arrange the prediction deck in Si Stebbins order , or in your favorite
stack order . In that case you don't even need a crib sheet on the bills.As soon as you know
the card, you can calculate its position in the prediction deck .
There are many other ways to do the finale with a real deck.
I am of course thinking of other effects of mine ( « The Simplest ACAAN in the world ! » ,
« ACAARTN », « ACAAD », « ANTI-ACAAN » , « The CARNIVAL principle », etc.) or
ebooks (a CAN of MYSTERIES 1 and 2, ACAAN 'Z compilation of ACAANs…)
But there are other ones of course. Be creative !
Below you'll find an appendix to create your own GAG prediction card .
Stephen TUCKER has a nice one in his ebook called « ACAAN »
( http://magiclibrary.co.uk/products/acaan-stephen-tucker/ )
You can also buy one here for instance (or in online magic shops) :
http://www.mimesis-magic.com/catalog/item/1945289/1917951.htm
Disclaimer : The author has no relationship or interest with those sites .
Inspiration/Bibliography :
I just love the ACAAN plot and tried to adapt some old principles or methods to it. ACAAN
inspired me of many other effects. As well as the one ahead principle.
- ACAAN : Mr David BERGLAS was the first one to present this effect in the mid 70's I
believe.
- One-ahead principle : Apparently it is an old principle ( 1693 ? )
http://themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=474029&forum=133&2&start=0#1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44
45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52
CLUBS : A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 J Q K
HEART A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 J Q K
SPADE A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 J Q K
DIAMOND A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 J Q K
Effect :
A business card is borrowed , and torn in half by the Spectator . Both halves are superposed
and pre-bent to form a « divining rod ». The Performer uses it then to detect alcohol (for
instance). The business card bends by itself when approaching a glass of wine ,a pint of beer
, etc. , but not a glass of water !
It can be used as Ethylotest , Metal detector , water-divining rod , magnetic field detector ,
heat sensor , etc.
Can be done with beer mats, cards, business cards, post cards , etc.
Use your imagination !
Explanation :
The secret is that one half of the business card is secretly glued.
By holding the other half between two fingers, it will be very easy to bend the glued part
just with a slight move of the two fingers that are holding the business card .
All you need is a sticky prop (removable « glue dots », magician wax , double side scotch
tape , etc. ) that you can keep in your pocket .My favorite one is « Blu -Tac » or similar .
You can also have prepared cards in advance ,handy in your pocket ( or beer mats, playing
cards , your own business cards , …) .
In order to be allowed to give it away for examination, you can use removable glue dots.
Align the two pieces together . They will stick together , where you applied the glue dot
( On the photograph ,I put a paper clip to show the halves that will stick together ). Of
course, do not use a paper clip in performance !
Hold everything between your thumb and index finger , at the unglued side :
Move slightly the index finger towards you : the card will bend.
I have exagerated the move for you, to better see the principle.
Presentation :
During that time, prepare the glue dot (or else) , and stick it to your second finger.( in your
right hand for instance)
Take one part of the business card with the unprepared hand (your left hand).
Ask for the second piece. Before doing that, in order to free your left hand, give the half you
Assemble the two pieces and press them together .Then, you fold them in the middle.
The gimmick is ready . It has been done under the Spectator's eyes !
PHASE 4 : Presentation
Now it is just a matter of rubbing slightly the index and the thumb to make the gimmick
bend. For instance , let's suppose you prepared a beer mat as above .Say this is an alcohol
breath analyzer !
Hold the gimmick between the index and thumb, and move it above a glass of water. Do
nothing, the gimmick will stay straight.
Now , move slowly your hand towards a glass of wine or a pint of beer . While approaching
the glass, move slightly your index finger under the gimmick to make it bend down as you
move above the glass.
NOTES
- With practice, you will know where to apply the glue dot to get the maximal bending with
a minimal movement , and to get a minimized gap between the two pieces when they bend .
- I like very much this « universal detector » principle using apparently normal objects .
I use them in some effects when I need to sense something or discover a card for instance.
Sometimes I use it for gags.
I spread the cards on the table and ask the Participant to think of her card . I move the
gimmick along the cards and when approaching the selected card, I will make the gimmick
bend .
- Instead of preparing the gimmick on the fly, I like to have prepared gimmicks :
One made with a beer mat , to use as alcohol breath analyzer
Various ones made with blank business cards .
I just write or draw on the business card, on the fly during the performance :
METAL for instance, if I want to detect metals,
MAGNETIC if I want to detect magnetic fields ,
DIVINING ROD , if I want to detect water
- You do not need to have the cards fully prepared. Just apply the temporary glue ( I like to
use 2-way glue ) or doublesided scotch tape , glue dot, rubber cement,etc.. on one quarter of
the business card(s) and protect it with a plastic sheet or with the paper used on envelopes
for instance to protect the sealing.
During the performance, just take one prepared business card (remove the protection in your
pocket) and prepare it yourself as described .It will make the effect more impromptu.
Effect :
EXPLANATION :
PREPARATION :
Have a bunch of business cards hold together with a large elastic band.(Actually I prefer to
use a normal rubberband and roll it 3 times around the pack of business cards .)
On another business card , write in a similar fashion ( same pen, same drawings or
writing,etc.) : Diamonds Clubs on top and Hearts Spades below.
NOTE : You can prepare many cards like this one for instant reset .
NOTE : instead of writing 4 items on the second card, you could just write 3 items : the 2
first identical to the half-card, but the third one being different.
PRESENTATION
« I would like to try an experiment with somebody (preferably a lady) who has some good
memory. »
NOTE: In the particular case of SUITS, you could just say ::
« I need somebody who plays cards » or “Does anyone play Pocker ?”
Take the pack of business cards out of your pocket with a pen or a Sharpie. You can borrow
the pen as well.
« Without telling me, can you remember what are the 4 different suits in a deck of cards ? »
Show the Lady what's written on the top business card of the pack , without showing the
other Spectators.
Hand the pen to the Lady and ask her to sign the business card on the lower part ,under the
drawings .
Take the pen back with the pack of business cards ,writing side towards you, and remove the
signed card without showing anybody .For this move , it is better to turn the business cards
upside down.
Give this card to another Spectator without showing the writing side to the Lady.
« Please hold on the card and hide it in your hands. »
Turn back to the Lady and suddenly clap loudly in your hands.
« I want you now to slowly name the suits in the right order you just memorized.»
Look at the other Spectator :
« And I want you to check if it's ok »
This should now be a big surprise ,and fun ! The Lady and Spectator may start to argue ,etc.
The Lady won't believe it and the Spectator should show her if it is her signature ...
Just let the audience and the “victim” argue! It is always fun !
OTHER PRESENTATIONS
Depending on the items drawn or written on the business card, you can play many different
presentations. Just to name a few :
ESP Symbols
Playing cards
coins
countries
objects
Love, Money, Health ( and Sex as the « forgotten item »!)
Dates . If you know the year of birth of the Lady, make her forget her own birthday !
Etc.
INSPIRATION
- Out-to-lunch principle : It was already used in the 19th century . William Larsen Sr.,
"Finger Prints" in the July 1923 _Sphinx_. Clare Cummings and Bob Ellis marketed a trick
in the mid-1940's . etc.... There are so many effects using this principle but this is really a
fun way to apply the O2L principle , very easy and practical to perform anywhere and
anytime (as long as you have the prepared business cards with you).
This is a nice way to get remembered , or for parties like Birthdays, weddings, etc. where
everybody gives a present. This is a gift that won't cost you anything !
This idea came after the JANUS V3 principle ,using a ribbon instead of a rubber band to
hide some secret information under it.
Take from your pocket the two prepared business cards. (See further for the explanation.)
Take the top business card and turn it over to show it blank on the both sides .
« Here is side 3 »
Put it under the other card ,showing at the same time that it is blank too.
« and here is side 4 ».
Turn both cards over as one showing again a blank side ,and finally, display the message by
taking a card in each hand.
This will be a surprise as the four sides were just shown empty.
Take one of the cards, and write « 1 » on the bottom right hand side.
Then apply the ribbon where you want to write the hidden message and draw 2 lines with a
light crayon .This will help you to write the message inside the lines so that it won't be seen
out of the ribbon.
Write the message ( « I love you ! » , « Happy Birthday ! » , « All the best ! »,etc. ) and
erase the crayon markings.
Here is the result when you put both cards side by side and then turn them over on the other
side :
Now, assemble the cards : Place side 4 visible on the table.On top of it, put the other card
First ,attach a ribbon horizontally to cover the message. The knot should be on the opposite
side of the message :
That's it !
The two last effects require some specific props, and I didn't want to include them for this
reason. So, look at them like a BONUS .You may like the principle and the idea/gag behind
using invisible objects and invisible predictions !
Effect :
Put a business card on the table. Hand an invisible coin to a spectator.Ask her to toss the
coin and say whether it is Heads side up or Tails.
Ask her to turn the card over herself : There is nothing written on it !
You say that she has to believe you .Everything is invisible in this trick but you really
predicted the right outcome !
Finally you show her that the right prediction was indeed written on the card !
The secret :
Setup :
There are many ways to do the effect . This depends on the types of UV light objects you
can find or have .
- A lighter
- two special pen
- A business card
A LIGHTER that has a UV light . (or just a UV lamp , or a pen with a UV light , etc.)
or
A business card for the prediction. White color work the best . The paper should be porous
and not glossy . You may have to test a few types of papers . Be careful ...Experiment first :
The UV ink should be invisible to the eyes under any normal light.
The UV light must be invisible when covered by the GIOTTO or the RENAR
COLOR SPLITZ pen.
The PAPERMATE (or other brand) ink should be invisible under UV light.
You will also need to prepare the prediction with the following pen and a white business
card:
Above the center , write «HEADS » with the WHITE PAPERMATE pen.
Remember :
HEADS = PEN
TAILS = LIGHT
If the Spectator says HEADS, you will reveal the prediction with the GIOTTO pen (or the
RENAR COLOR SPLITZ pen)
If the spectator says TAILS, you will reveal the prediction by using the UV light
PROPS :
You can buy the props in stationnery shops or on the web . I just give you some links . Note
that I have NO interest in these brands . It's just that I know they work . Same thing for the
websites .They are here to help you if you have problems to get them locally.
Note : The author has no responsibility and relationship with the following sites.
If the links below do no work anymore one day , do not complain to me ! Just search on
GOOGLE for :
THE PROPS :
You will not use the WHITE pen. Instead, use the PAPERMATE pen.
The colored GIOTTO pen will be used to reveal the ink of the PAPERMATE pen.
Only the color pen will be used . They will reveal the PAPERMATE WHITE PEN.
The COLOR SPLITZ pen can be used in place of the GIOTTO pen.
http://renart.jupitercolour.co.uk/index.php/color-splitz/
For the other props, you can use this site. This is the one I got my props from. It is cheap .
http://www.miniinthebox.com (Free shipping worldwide)
You can probably find also on http://www.shopping.com
http://www.miniinthebox.com/mini-uv-light-led-flashlight-keychain_p87966.html
http://www.miniinthebox.com/invisible-ink-uv-pen-purple_p199022.html
http://www.miniinthebox.com/two-uv-led-flashlight-windproof-metal-oil-lighter-with-
green-flame_p84283.html
*THE END *
« I sincerely hope it opened doors, and you found something useful you'll add to your
act... » . Gerard ZITTA
MORE IDEAS ON :
http://www.untouchedmagic.com