Cunning Attractions

Prepared exclusively for Wilhelm Wessel (wilhelm.wessel@gmx.net) Transaction: #0001004306
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“Fads are the kiss of death. When the fad goes away, you go with it.”
-Conway Twitty

© 2013 by Jon Racherbaumer

The E-BOOK was written, edited, and laid out in the United States of America for a
select cabal of serious students and practitioners. Once this content has been
selectively disseminated, it has been democratized. The content, usually called
“intellectual property,” is then share-ware—memes to be individually protected and
prudently passed onto those we hope feel obliged to treat it with the same trust and
regard that motivated its provider.

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CONTENTS

ABOUT THE MINI-PLUNGER

HOW TO MAKE A “BREATHER”

STUCK UP

SUCK-UP SLEUTH

MALINI LITE

POKERRATUM

A PLUNGER WENT A’COURTING

ACES TAKE A PLUNGE

IN – DEPTH

BONUS: HAM-FISTED FIND
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ABOUT THE MINI-PLUNGER

Ours is a fast track, digital age. Information doesn’t just rapidly
flow; it spurts and jets and soars. Memes flit and dart like spooked
minnows in a pond. Trendy things make rounds faster than you can say.
W.T.F. This is particularly true in Magicville. If a new gadget or gizmo, or
accessory bubbles up, the faithful perk up. If the gizmo can be applied in
novel or incongruous ways, they dance in the aisle.

The Mini-‐Plunger is a gizmo of sorts.

I was shown this gizmo during a slow night at Applebee’s on a
balmy night in March. Three corporate entertainers (Seth Kramer,
Danny Orleans, and Scott Tokar) who were winding down and laying
back dropped by the Benighted Sleightsters for some toddies and tricks.
During one of the many lulls, Danny Orleans demonstrated Jon
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Armstrong’s presentation of the Mini-‐Plunger. 1The group murmured
and stirred (as they often do). My impression, on the other hand, was
mixed. Yes, the fact that the suction cup of the plunger affected several
cards, a large packet, and the entire deck was puzzling! We all had, as
they say, “nodding acquaintances” with “cohesion suction.” We knew
that if you press a suction cup against a flat surface (like a playing card),
it adheres to that surface. This is due to the lower pressure between the
flexible material of the cup and the flat surface as compared to the
pressure outside the flexible material. However, how was the Mini-‐
Plunger able to “suck up” more than a single, flat surface?

While we mulled over that mini-‐puzzle, the gang considered the
symbolism of the plunger. Any toilet plunger, not matter how small or
large, has—how can we put this? —many inelegant connotations. One
flashes on clogged drains and unflushed toilets and sloppy, sucking
sounds. As a gag prop it’s silly and sophomoric…(Jon Armstrong realized
this when he said: “Tricks that suck…”) So what? What’s wrong with
lowbrow cuteness?

The next question everybody asked was—“Where do you get
those cute, little plungers?”

It was likely that some dealer or dealers were in the process of
finding a cheap source so it could be mass-‐marketed with perhaps a
DVD? Needless to say, the group immediate consulted Google and hit
pay dirt. The plungers were being sold at various outlets as an Mp3 iPod
accessory. (iPlunge Holder Stand for Mp3 iPod Touch 4G or iPhone 4)
Soon everybody checked Home Depot, Lowe’s, and various Dollar Stores
for anything with a suction cup attached. Somebody was already
advertising something with this breathless pitch:

*NO GIMMICKS!
* NO MAGNETS!
* NO SLEIGHT-‐OF-‐HAND!
* NORMAL DECK OF CARDS!
* VERY EASY TO DO!

1 Jon Armstrong performed his routine of the Today Show on February 19, 2013,
and this was widely circulated on the Internet.
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* JUST A PLUNGER!

“As a finale, the magician has another spectator select a card, return anywhere
in the deck and then shuffle the deck of cards. He asks them to think of their
card, and places the plunger on their head to extract their thoughts. This is a
very funny moment in the routine and will have your audiences in fits! The
magician takes the plunger off of the forehead of the spectator and plunges the
shuffled deck, without question, the plunger miraculously finds the thought of
card!”

There were eventual renditions on YouTube. The names—Jon
Armstrong, Mathieu Bich, and Kozmo—frequently came up. Also,
Mathieu Bich apparently devised a similar trick using a pen and a bit of
tape?

I discovered this background behind the plunger a few weeks
after being shown it. After buying several types of suction devices, I
began playing with possibilities. This resulted in the short manuscript
you are now skimming. The most amazing part is that this manuscript
was cobbled together in less than three days—a testament to the
wizardry of our current technology. I shot the photographs with a mini
iPad in about 20 minutes. I loaded them onto iPhoto and Photo shopped
them in about 90 minutes. It then took about six hours to write the text
(intermittently over a three-‐day period). The manuscript was eventually
laid out on a Mac in about two hours.

Compare that to the old days of having to shoot photos with a
camera and then having to get the photos developed. Next, came the
typing up of text, the cutting and pasting, and then having a printer
grind out hard copies. This usually took weeks or months to do.

In the final analysis, though, my feelings about the Mini-‐Plunger
are still mixed. Its faddishness will likely fade. In a few months or
sooner, the plungers will be put away. They will end up in drawers or
trashcans. Years later, if somebody discovers one (without
accompanying notes or explanations) in a drawer, they will be hard
pressed to explain it. What was this thing meant to do? Why is it in a
drawer next to a plastic thumb and a double-‐side coin?

If anything, this manuscript is a testament to the impulse to play
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around with anything, to perhaps invent something more amusing than
people watching at the mall or gazing at reruns of “Dancing With The
Stars”?

HOW TO MAKE A “BREATHER”

What is a Breather?

It is called a crimp but, more accurately speaking, it is a bas-‐relief
card, which accomplishes the same results as crimped or bridged cards.

Although cardmen do not customarily use the term bas-relief, it
accurately defines what the “work” is like. Derived from relief sculpture,
bas-relief refers to anything that slightly projects from a background. A
playing card is normally flat, but if you press on its surface and make a
slight indentation, when the card is turned over, the pressed part is
concave on the side now uppermost. It is slightly convex on the other
side. This bas-‐relief (indentation) is scarcely discernible to the naked
eye.

This principle is sometimes called press-type keying and was
exploited by Will De Sieve in the 40s. He pressed a coin (such as an
American quarter) against the center of a court card to form a round,
ridged indentation.2 Card hustlers used a toothpick, which was placed
under a tablecloth of the gaming table. Any card lying on top of a hidden
toothpick, if firmly pressed upon, would become slightly indented at
that spot. This marking can be felt by sensitive fingertips and can be
used as a subtle locator-‐card. The popular “breather crimp,” thanks to
Dai Vernon and Bob King, is frequently used by today’s cardmen. For the
record, Ed Marlo published his “Coinless Crimp” in Marlo’s Magazine -
Volume 6 (1988), which he used to cull and stack cards in the 50’s. This
is what Marlo wrote:

“Hold the card face up. Place the left thumb on the face of the card
at center. Left first and second fingers are under the card at a point
below your left thumb. Press your left thumb down onto the face of the

2
“Coin Impression,” p. 478, Greater Magic (1938). Jontay used a glass stylus over the frame lines of any
Court card to create a rectangular-shape “bas relief.” This is also found in Greater Magic, p. 479, as
“Another ‘Ridge’ Preparation.”
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card and upward with the first and second fingers. Thus the card is
pressed between the left thumb and first and second fingers. As you
continue pressing the right hand, at the same time, slowly revolve the
card clockwise. You can continue this pressing action as your right hand
revolves the card, in a complete circle, several times. This will raise a
very imperceptible hump in the center of the card. This hump will
enable you to cut to the card so that it will remain as the top card of the
lower section. An examination of this type of card will not give a clue to
its preparation. The ‘work’ will not be tipped off by the light striking the
back of the card, at a certain angle, as in other press type key cards.” 3

This is how the standard Breather is made.

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If you are going to make a Convex Breather, hold the card face up
with both of your thumbs in the center of the card’s face. On the other
side of the card press your first and second fingers so that they straddle
the contact point made by each thumb. You now have six pressure

3
This bas-relief “work” appears on p. 132 of Marlo’s Magazine - Volume 6 (1988), which was first
published in February of that year.
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points. Each thumb should be pressing in and between the tips of your
hand’s fingertips.

Drag your thumbs from the center outward towards the adjacent
diagonal corners of the card. Repeat this action from the center to the
other adjacent, diagonal corners.

The pressure of your thumbs pushing between the tips of your
first and second fingertips will create an indention (“a slight gulley”) in
the card. This creates an X-‐shaped bas-‐relief.

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STUCK UP

This is an easier, quicker method for performing “Suck-‐up Sleuth” that
achieves the same basic result.

Effect: A card is fairly selected. The deck is shuffled, cut, and tabled.
The performer introduces a Mini-‐Plunger and boldly claims that the
“plunger” will somehow find the selection. He proves this by pressing
the suction-‐cup end of the Mini-‐Plunger against the top of the deck and
immediately lifts off an indeterminate number of cards as an intact
packet. The plunger and these cards are placed aside. The plunger is
then tilted to reveal that the bottom (face) card of the extracted packet
is the selection.

Requirements: A Mini-‐Plunger and a regular deck of 52 cards.

Preparation: Remove one of the cards—say, the Queen of Hearts—and
make it a Breather.

Set-up: Place the Breather on top of the deck.

Method: Introduce the deck and the Mini-‐Plunger. Show that the cards
are mixed and then hold the deck in a left-‐hand dealing position.
Casually cut the deck so that the Breather will end up about 10-‐15 cards
from the bottom. Retain a left pinky break above the Breather.

You are now set to perform Gary Plants’ Control (secret placement)
from Precursor XXXVI (September-‐1992). Spread the cards face down
and ask someone to touch a card. Retain the left pinky break during the
spreading. (Photo 1)

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1

Outjog the selection and then tilt the cards backwards so that the
spectator can see the face of the selection. Ask him to note and
remember the cards. Suppose it’s the JD. Lower and square the cards
while retaining the pinky break. (Photo 2)

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Next, move your right forefinger into the break and grasp all the cards
above the break between your right thumb and forefinger at the inner
right corner. (Photo 3)

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3
Drag the section of cards above your pinky break inward until the
outjogged selection is flush with the lowermost section, whereupon
your left thumb presses onto the outer left corner of the selection to
hold it in place. (Photo 4)

4

Move the right-‐hand section away. (Photo 5)

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5

Slap this section on top of the left-‐hand cards and square up. The
selection is now directly above the selection (JD). (Photo 6)

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Have the spectator perform a few more straight cuts. Then pick up the
deck and hold it so that its left side is uppermost. You will be able to
sight the location of the Breather because it creates a hairline
separation. Ultimately you want the Breather to be somewhere in the
upper half—say, 10-‐15 cards from the top. Cut the deck to make the
necessary adjustment. If the Breather is already there, do nothing.

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Introduce a Mini-‐Plunger and boldly claim that the “plunger” will “suck
up” to the selection. Then press the suction-‐cup end of the plunger
against the top of the deck at the center. (Photo 7)

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Immediately lift off the section of cards above the Breather. (Photo 8)

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Swiftly smack the plunger and the extracted packet face down and aside.

All that remains is to press down on the plunger and down-‐spread the
cards. (Photo 9)

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Extract the plunger and reveal the bottom (face) card of the spread to
conclude.

SUCK-UP SLEUTH
Jon Racherbaumer

This applies one of Marlo’s subtle methods from Faro Notes (1958).

Effect: The spectator cuts deck into three equal packets. These packets
consist of bottom, center and top sections. He is then asked to shuffle
the top section and replace it onto the center section. Next, he shuffles
bottom section, removes one card, notes it and places it on top of center
portion. Finally, he places rest of the bottom section on top of the center
section to “bury” the selection. The deck is then given some straight cuts
and is shuffled.

The performer introduces a Mini-‐Plunger and boldly claims that the
“plunger” will “suck up” to the selection. He proves this by pressing the
suction-‐cup end against the top of the deck and immediately lifts off a
section of cards.

The plunger and these cards are placed aside. The plunger is tilted to
reveal that the bottom (face) card of the extracted packet is the
selection.

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make it a Breather.

Set-up: Place the Breather 26th from the top of the deck.

are mixed and then table the deck face down in front of the spectator.

Explain that you want him to cut the deck into three approximately
equal portions. Say, “Please cut about two-thirds of the cards and place it
next to the remainder.” As you utter this instruction, point to a spot
about an inch to the right of the deck.

Once this has been done, ask the spectator to cut the larger portion in
half and place the cut-‐off cards to the right of the other two. The
resultant packets, from left to right, consist of original bottom section,
the original center, and the original top section. For the sake of clarity
we will designate them from left to right as C, B, and A. At this stage, the
Breather will be somewhere in the center portion.

Point to portion A (the original top section) and ask the spectator to
shuffle it. Then have him replace it onto the center portion. Next, point
to portion A (original bottom section) and ask the spectator to mix the
cards, remove a card, note it, and place it on top of center portion (B-‐A).

Suppose that the selection is the Nine of Diamonds.

Next, have the spectator places rest cards (section C) he holds on top of
the larger, assembled portion to “bury” his selection. Finally, have him
give the deck some straight cuts.

At this point the handling has been unquestionably fair. However, the
selection (9D) is 26 cards away from the Breather (QH). In other words,
if you consider the deck as an “endless chain,” there are exactly 25 cards
between the selection and the Breather. This relationship remains no
matter how many times the deck is given straight cuts.

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Have the spectator perform a few straight cuts. Then pick up the deck
and hold it so that its left side is uppermost. You will be able to detect
the location of the Breather because you will see a hairline separation.
You want the Breather to be somewhere in the upper half. Cut the deck
to make the necessary adjustment. If the Breather is already there, do
nothing.

Hold the deck in position for an In-‐the-‐Hands Faro Shuffle. Then split
the deck exactly in half and perform an OUT Faro Shuffle.

The selection (9D) is now directly above the Breather. Again, hold the
deck so that its left side is uppermost to casually glimpse the location of
the Breather because you want it to be somewhere near the top—say,
about 12-‐18 cards down. Again, cut the deck to make the necessary
adjustment. If the Breather is already there, do nothing.

Introduce a Mini-‐Plunger and boldly claim that the “plunger” will “suck
up” to the selection. Press the suction-‐cup end of the plunger against
center of the top of the deck. (Photo 1)

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Quickly lift the section of cards above the Breather. (Photo 2)

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2

All that remains is to tilt the section to reveal the selection at the face.

MALINI LITE

This is a “softer” and gentler version of the legendary Malini Stab that
uses the Mini-‐Plunger instead of a knife and adds a sheet of newspaper,
along with a deck. The trade-‐offs of such an approach are obvious. For
one thing, the high jinx and drama of, say, the Bob Sheets’ killer
presentation (with no newspaper and while blindfolded), are absent.

There are redeeming differences, however. First of all, the spectator
does the “stabbing” rather than the performer and from a practical
standpoint, the tacit menace of the knife is eliminated and no cards are
damaged. In short, as Harry Anderson likes to say, nobody gets hurt.

Effect: A card is selected and lost in the deck. The cards are spread
around in a haphazard manner on the tabled. An opaque handkerchief
covers the spread of cards. Next, the Mini-‐Plunger is placed under the
handkerchief and onto the center of the spread so that the shaft of the
plunger more or less acts like a tent pole.

The spectator is invited to grasp the tip of the plunger’s shaft through
the handkerchief and then lift the plunger about an inch above the
spread of cards. Now he is instructed to move the plunger around in
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different directions until he feels like stopping. Then he is asked to press
down the plunger so that it contacts a random card.

The performer grasps the tip of the plunger’s shaft through the
handkerchief and lifts everything upwards and rotates everything to
reveal the identity of the “stabbed” card…that turns out to be the
selection.


are mixed and then spread them face down between your hands. Invite
a spectator to select one. Then take it back and apparently lose it in the
deck. In reality, control it to the top. (See “In Depth” a Tilt Control
explained elsewhere in this manuscript.)

Next, you apparently mix the cards in a reckless, random way by placing
the deck face down on the table and then, using both hands, slide the
cards around haphazardly. As you do this, keep track of the selection.
Simply place your right thumb onto the top card as your left thumb and
fingers start spreading some of the other cards as your right hand
simultaneously does the same thing. (Photo 1)

1

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Introduce the handkerchief and spread it over the cards so they are
completely covered. (Photo 2)

2

Pick up the Mini-‐Plunger with your right hand to place it under the
handkerchief and onto the center of the spread so that the shaft of the
plunger more or less acts like a tent pole. As the plunger begins to move
out of sight, press the suction cup part against the selection. (Photo 3)

3

Without any discernible hesitation continue to move the plunger until it
reaches the center of the tabled spread. Then gingerly set it down and
remove your right hand.
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4

Point to the protruding top of the plunger’s shaft and say, “In a moment,
I want you to grasp the shaft of the plunger…” (Photo 4)
Continue: “…like this…” Here grasp the shaft through the handkerchief to
demonstrate the grip. (Photo 5)

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Instruct him to move the plunger around in different directions until he
feels like stopping. Then ask him to firmly press the plunger down so
that it contacts a random card.

Ask him to release his grip so that you can grasp the tip of the plunger’s
shaft through the handkerchief. Say, “You ‘stabbed’ the plunger right
here!”

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8

All that remains is to lift everything upward and rotates everything to
reveal the identity of the “stabbed” card…, which turns out to be the
selection. (Photo 8)

POKERRATUM

Effect: The performer spreads a deck face up between his hands and
asks a spectator to randomly point to five cards. These cards are
upjogged and removed. The performer says, “These cards could
represent five cards randomly dealt out during a poker game. Let’s see if
these cards can be used to generate a good hand.” The five cards are
turned face down on top of the deck and the deck is tabled.

The performer shows a Mini-‐Plunger and presses it against the top of
the deck. Then he slowly rotates the plunger and the top cards begin to
spread in a circular fashion. Then he lifts the plunger and the five
“poker” cards are adhering to the plunger. When these cards are
revealed, they are seen to be a Royal Flush in Spades.


Preparation: Remove the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten of Spades.
Then remove another card—say, the Ten of Hearts—and hold it face up
and make it a Convex Breather.
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Set-up: Place the Royal Flush face up on top of the facedown deck.
Arrange them in this order from the top: 10S – JS-‐ QS – KS – AS. Insert
the Breather (10H) somewhere near the face of the deck. Then place the
deck face up into the card case.

Method: Introduce the card case and remove the face-‐up deck. Talk a
bit about the game of poker. Say, “I want you to choose a random card
like this.” When you come to the Breather (10H), upjog it by way of
example.

Continue spreading and ask someone to randomly point to four more
cards. As they point to them, upjog each and then strip them out with
your right hand. Momentarily rest them on the face of the deck. Then
turn them face down one at a time, ducking each one under the deck.
Begin with the Breather (10H).

Say, “These cards could represent five cards randomly dealt out during a
poker game. Let’s see if these cards can be used to generate a good hand.”
Rotate the deck face down.

Situation Check: At this stage, there are 10 face-‐up cards on top. The
spectator assumes there are five. The face-‐up cards form a natural break
at the point where the face-‐up cards meet the facedown talon.

Spread the top four cards to display the selected cards again. Comment
on which cards are worth keeping and which ones should be discarded.
Finally, flip all of the face-‐up cards, letting them coalesce as they turn
face down onto the deck. Table the deck. Show the Mini-‐Plunger and
press it against the top of the deck. Say, “Let me show you something
strange…” (Photo 1)

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1

Slowly rotate the shaft of the plunger with your right thumb and
forefinger. The top five cards will spread in a circular fashion as though
you were making a “rosette.” (Photo 2)

Smartly lift the plunger and the five “poker” cards as a unit and quickly
move everything to the right and then down to the table. (Photo 3)

Disengage the Mini-‐Plunger and turn the “poker hand” face up to
disclose a Royal Flush in Spades.

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3

A PLUNGER WENT A’COURTING

This is another example of accessorizing a known effect to add dubious
drollery to what is conventionally a straightforward card effect.

Effect: The four Jacks are shown and placed aside. The deck is shuffled
and a spectator cuts it into four packets. The Jacks are shown one at a
time and each one is placed face down on top of its respective packet.
The performer introduces a Magic Plunger and uses it as a talisman as
he taps it against each Jack. Three of the Jacks then magically join the
fourth Jack on top of an end packet. Pushing the Magic Plunger onto the
fourth packet proves this. When the plunger is lifted, all four Jacks come
away with it and are revealed. Finally, as an added surprise, the top
cards of each packet are shown to be Aces.

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1

Preparation: Cull the four Jacks and four Aces. Make the AH a Breather.

Set-up: Place the Jacks and Aces on top of the deck in the following
order from the top: Red Jack-‐Black Jack-‐Red Jack-‐Black Jack-‐Ace of
Clubs-‐Ace of Diamonds-‐Ace of Spades-‐Ace of Hearts (Breather).

Thumb over the top four cards and flip them face up to show the four
Jacks. Spread over seven cards to eventually get a left pinky break under
the seventh card. (Photo 1)

2
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3
Close the spread and retain a left pinky break under the seventh card.
Grasp all the cards above the break in a right-‐hand Biddle Grip to
ostensibly hold the face-‐up-‐Jacks. Peel the top King face up onto the
deck with your left thumb. (Photo 2)

Slide it to a side-‐jogged position and then flip it face down and flush
with the deck by using the left side of the right-‐hand packet as a flipper.

Repeat this peel-‐and-‐flip action with the next two Jacks. As soon as the
third King falls face down, place the right-‐hand cards onto and flush
with the deck. (Photo 3)

The audience thinks that you dropped just the last Jack face up on top.
In reality, you have added three Aces between the face-‐up Jacks and the
other three Jacks. (This "adding between" in done by what’s called the
Braue Addition. Next, thumb over the face-‐up King and cleanly turn it
face down. Push over the top four cards face down into your right hand
as your left pinky gets a break under the top card of the deck. (Photo 4)

4
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5

Square the right-‐hand cards against your left thumb and above the deck.
Secretly add the top card of the deck below the others and then move
away with all five cards in your right hand.

Situation Check: The order of the right-‐hand cards from the top should
be: K-‐A-‐A-‐A-‐K. The top two cards of the deck should be Jacks, followed
by the fourth Ace.

Place the right-‐hand packet face down on the table. Shuffle the deck and
retain the top three cards on top. Table the deck in front of the spectator
and ask him to evenly cut it into two portions. Separate the portions to
leave a space to accommodate the next two cuts. Then ask him to cut
each portion in half to form four packets. (Photo 5) In the photo the
performer is shown making the final cut.

To be on the safe side, you may want to make the cuts? Remember that
the fourth packet has the two Jacks and Ace on top. To maintain clarity
in the steps to follow, designate the packets 1-‐2-‐3-‐4 from left to right.
Again, on top of packet #4 are the two Jacks and Ace.

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6

Pick up the supposed Jacks and hold the packet face down in your left
hand. Grasp the packet in a right-‐hand Biddle Grip and peel off the top
three cards into your left hand, reversing their order. Then turn your
right hand palm up to flash a Jack. (Photo 6)

7

Place the right-‐hand “double” face down onto the left-‐hand cards for a
moment to free your right hand. (Photo 7)

Then move your right hand to tap the packet at the left end as you say:
“One of the Jacks goes on top of this packet.” Then deal the top card of the
left-‐hand packet face down onto the packet at the left end. (Photo 8)

Repeat the foregoing action. That is, again grasp the packet in a right-‐
hand Biddle Grip and this time peel off the top two cards into your left
hand, reversing their order. Then turn your right hand palm up to flash
another Jack. (Photo 9)

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8

9

Again, place the right-‐hand “double” face down onto the left-‐hand cards
for a moment to free your right hand to move over and tap the next
packet in the row as you say: “Another one of the Jacks goes on top of this
packet.” Then deal the top card of the left-‐hand packet face down onto
the next packet in the row

You are left with three cards.

10

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Next, push over the top card into your right hand and then turn both
hands palm down to flash two Jacks. (Photo 10)

Say: “That leaves these two Jacks.” Turn both hands palm up and place
the right-‐hand jack under the left-‐hand card(s). Deal the top card (Ace)
face down onto the third packet in the row. (Photo 11)

Photo 11

Grasp the remaining card(s) in a right-‐hand Biddle Grip and turn your
right hand palm up apparently flash the last Jack. (Photo 12)

Turn your right hand palm down and place the card(s) face down on the
fourth packet, saying: “The last Jack goes here!” (Photo 13)

Photo 12

Situation Check: There is now an Ace on top of each packet. The four
Jacks are on top of the fourth packet, followed by the fourth Ace
(Breather). You are set for the denouement.

Say, “With the Jacks on top of each packet, let me introduce my magic
talisman.” Point out the Mini-Plunger and place it on top of the packet at
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the left end. Say, Watch closely and I take the talisman and, like a restive
frog in a humid bayou, it will hopscotch from packet to packet…”

Photo 13

Photo 14

Carry out the action, leaving the Mini-‐Plunger on top of the fourth
packet, saying: “Believe it or not, the four Jacks are here!” (Photo 14)

Photo 15

Press down with the mini-‐Plunger and then lift off the four Jacks as a
packet, moving everything away from the row of packets. (Photo 15)

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Reveal the Jacks. The presentation is apparently over. Wait a few
seconds and then remind the spectator that the deck was shuffled and
was then randomly cut it into four packets.

Add, “The strange thing is that the magic talisman somehow brought the
four Aces into play!” Turn the top cards of each packet to disclose the
Aces.

Roots: This presentation (sans the Mini-‐Plunger) initially appeared in MAGIC
magazine (March-‐1997) in a slightly different form, titled, “Jacks Cleve, Aces Arrive.”
It was unintentionally wrongly credited to Seth Kramer and should be credited to
Richard Vollmer and was popularized by Aldo Columbini.

ACES TAKE A PLUNGE

This method for Cutting To the Aces was inspired by Pit Hartling’s work
on the “Flick.”

Effect: The deck is shuffled, cut, and ribbon-‐spread face up to show a
fair mixture. The performer explains that he will demonstrate Cutting
To the Aces made famous by John Scarne. He scoops up the cards and
shuffles and cuts them again. He then cuts to an Ace. He repeats this two
more times, cutting to two more Aces. Finally, he asks the spectator to
name a number between ten and twenty. Suppose the named number is
14. The performer introduces a Mini-‐Plunger and boldly claims that the
“plunger” will somehow “plunge” to the named number. He proves this
by pressing the suction-‐cup end of the Mini-‐Plunger against the top of
the deck and immediately lifts off some cards as an intact packet. The
plunger and these cards are placed aside. The plunger is removed and
the cards are counted. There are exactly 14. The top card is then turned
over to reveal the fourth and final Ace!


Preparation: Remove one of the 52 cards—say, the Queen of Hearts—
and make it a Breather. This should be a convex breather. That is, put
the work into the Breather when it is face up.

33
Set-up: Place the Breather on top of the deck. Arrange the four Aces in
this order from the face: AC-‐AD-‐AS-‐AH. Then place the Aces face down
on top of the Breather.

Method: Casually spread the cards face up to show a mixture. Then
table the deck and perform a couple of riffle shuffles, retaining the top
five cards. Say, “The famous gambling expert of the last century was a
man named John Scarne, who was also a skilled card magician. Back the
40s and 50s he was known for being able to cut to the four Aces in a
shuffled deck. As far as I’m concerned, I think this is a dicey proposition.
Nevertheless, we can try.”

Perform another riffle shuffle, retaining the top stock, and then perform
the following Up-‐the-‐Ladder series of cuts. Lift about half the deck with
your right thumb at the inner side.

Undercut the lower section with your right hand and place it onto the
left-‐hand section, end-‐jogging it to the right about an inch.

Next, undercut about half of the end-‐jogged section with your right
hand.

Then put this portion on top but end-‐jogged to the left so that it’s
aligned with the lowermost section.

Finally, strip out the center section that is end-‐jogged to the right with
your right hand and slap it on top to conclude the cutting sequence. The
“slug” of Aces and the Breather are now in the approximate center of the
deck.

Ask a spectator to name any one of the four Aces. If they name the AC,
you are set. Say, “Okay, I’ll try to cut to the Ace of Clubs!” If one of the
other Aces is named, say, “That’s one of the most difficult Aces to cut
to…Would you mind if I try to cut to the easiest Ace on my first try?” The
spectator will likely agree. Say, “Great! I’ll now try to cut to the Ace of
Clubs!”

Reach over the deck and lift all the cards above the Breather and then
turn your right hand palm up to reveal the AC.
34

Transfer the right-‐hand section face up to a left-‐hand dealing position.
Then turn your left hand palm down and thumb off the Ace to your left.

Table the left-‐hand section face down and then place the other section
face down on top.

Situation Check: The Breather is on top. The other three Aces are on
the bottom in this order from the face: AD-‐AS-‐AH.

If the spectator happened to name the AD earlier, you are set to cut to it.
If not, say: “Let me try to cut to the Ace of Diamonds!”

Riffle shuffle the deck a couple of times, retaining the top and bottom
cards. Then repeat the Up-‐the-‐Ladder Cuts explained earlier. Again, cut
at the Breather and disclose the AD. Thumb it off and assemble the
sections as explained earlier.

Repeat the same actions to cut to the AS. Thumb it off.

Say, “This leave only the Ace of Hearts.” Pick up the deck and hold it face
up in your left hand with the faces toward you. Casually spread over ten
cards as you say, “The Ace of Hearts is somewhere in the deck…but let’s
cut and shuffle the cards some more.”

Close the spread and retain a left pinky break under the ten cards. Then
perform a quick Double Cut, which maneuvers the 10-‐card block
(including the AH) onto the Breather.

Hold the deck face up in position for an Overhand Shuffle. Look at the
spectator and say, “Name a number between….say…ten and twenty!”
Whichever number the spectator chooses, you must then run that
number of cards (minus 10) face up into your left hand and then throw
the balance of cards onto them. For example, if he names 15, run five
cards and throw. Immediately perform another shuffle by running a few
random cards face up into your left hand and then throw these cards
back onto the face of the right-hand cards.

The AH is now 15th from the top and directly above the Breather.
35

Table the deck and say: “Now I’m going to try something truly strange
and perhaps foolhardy!” Introduce a Mini-‐Plunger and press the suction-‐
cup end of the plunger against the top of the deck.

Immediately lift off the section of cards above the Breather. Then place
the plunger and the extracted packet face down and aside. Peel off the
plunger and ask the spectator to pick up the packet and deal the cards
one at a time into a pile, audibly counting them in the process. He will
realize after the deal that you “sucked up” the number of cards he
named, which in this case would be 15 cards. Furthermore, the last Ace
(AH), thanks to the reverse-‐count, is now the top card of the tabled pile.

Say, “Let’s see….the last Ace is the Ace of Hearts!” All that remains is to
turn the AH face up to cap the presentation

IN - DEPTH

The underlying concept of Tilt or the Depth Illusion is simple. Keep in
mind, however, that it is not a move, but a temporary, secret condition.
The top card is tilted away from the deck at the back end. This later
misleads spectators to make an incorrect assumption, namely that you
insert a card into the center of the deck.

To obtain this condition begin by holding the deck face down in your left
hand. Then spread the cards face down and invite the spectator to
remove a card. As the spectator notes his card and while the cards are
still spread, slide a card inward with your left thumb about an inch.
(Photo 1)

36

1

2
Close the spread and square up, keeping the injogged card in place.
(Photo 2)

37

3

Take back the selection with your right hand and hold it by its inner
right corner between your thumb (on top) and first and second fingers
(below). While the deck is still held face down in your left hand, push
over the top card about a quarter-‐inch or less. Once it projects over the
right side of the deck, contact its right side/edge with the tip of your left
finger.

Then pull the top card flush with the deck with your left thumb, but
simultaneously push slightly upwards with your left third fingertip. This
will create a slight separation alongside the lower two thirds of the
deck.

Keep your left forefinger curled around the outer right corner of the
deck to keep the top card flush at the front end. Your left thumb,
including its fleshy heel, keeps the left side of the top card flush and
stationary. Your left second finger curls around the lower part of the
outer right corner.

Relax and move your left thumb alongside the left side of the deck as
you press your left first and second fingers slightly downward. They will
provide stabilization as the top card rises or snaps up to the Tilt
position. (Photo 3)

Once the top card it tilted up at the back end, your left thumb and third
fingertip holds it in place. Keep the front edge of the tilted top card flush
38
with the deck with your left forefinger. All this happens as your right
hand shows the face of the selection again.

4

Now insert the outer right corner of the selection into the gap formed by
the tilted top card. This corner should be flush with the deck. (Photo 4)

5

Keep pushing the selection into the gap until it is flush with the deck.
(Photo 5)

Once it’s flush, turn your left hand outward and to the left so that the
deck rotates on a horizontal axis. The apparently reason for this
rotation is to show a side view of the deck. In reality, the broader action
of this quick rotation permits you to let the tilted top card drop flush.
(Photo 6)
39

What the spectator sees is the previously injogged card and he will
assume it’s the selection you just inserted in the center. As you display
it, say: “Would you say that’s about midway?”

6

Let the spectator push the jogged card flush. He will be convinced that
his card is now in the center of the deck. In reality, it is second from the
top.

To get the card to the top, grasp the deck in Biddle Grip and flash the
bottom card as you say, “Obviously if your card is in the center of the
deck, it cannot be on the bottom…”

Take the top card with your right hand and show it as you continue:
“…or on the top!” Place the card just shown on the bottom and table the
deck. The selection is now on top.

40
BONUS ITEM: HAM-FISTED FIND

HAM-FISTED FIND

Although this does not use the Mini-‐Plunger, it takes advantage of the
physical principle and permits you to do an offbeat location.

Effect: A card is fairly selected. The deck is shuffled, cut, and tabled.
The performer explains that there are different ways to find selections.
He says, “One can look for it by spreading the cards face up. One can
spread the deck and pluck it from the spread with one hand. One could
simply cut to it, but I’m going to find it in the clumsiest way known to
man or beast. I call it the ‘Ham-‐Fisted Lift of Destiny,’ a technique
seldom seen this side of the Tiber river.”

He then closes one of his hands into a fist and presses it against the top
of the deck and then immediately lifts his fist upwards. In the process,
an intact packet is seen momentarily suspended under the performer’s
fist until the fist and the packet is slammed down to the table. The
bottom (face) card of the extracted packet proves to be the selection.

Requirements: A regular deck of 52 cards and double-‐side Scotch tape.

make it a Breather card. Then cut off a small square of tape and attach it
to the fleshy side of your right hand (the palmar part).

Set-up: Place the Breather on top of the deck.

Method: Introduce the deck and show that the cards are mixed and
then hold the deck in a left-‐hand dealing position. Have a card selected
and place it on top. Suppose that the selection is the Two of Spades.
Then ask the spectator to give the deck a few straight cuts to lose (?) the
selection.

Take back the deck and cut to the Breather and complete the cut. The
selection (2S) will be on the bottom. Hold the deck with the faces
toward you and begin spreading cards as though you were looking for
41
the selection. In reality, spread over ten cards and then square up,
retaining a left pinky break under the tenth card. Say, “Magicians usually
run through the deck like this and then they find your card…”
Perform a quick Double Cut to the break and then with the deck still face
up position it for a face-‐up Overhand Shuffle as you add, “…but that’s too
boring and predictable. Let’s try something more risky.”

Ask the spectator to call out any number from ten to twenty. Suppose he
names 14. You would then run 4 more cards and throw. You can run a
few more cards but throw them back onto the face of the deck. Your goal
is to run the appropriate number of extra cards to position the selection
at the chosen number. You have already position the selection 10th. If 18
is named, you run 8 more cards and throw.

Say, “I’m going to find your card in the clumsiest way known to man or
beast. I call it the ‘Ham-Fisted Lift of Destiny,’ a technique seldom seen this
side of the Tiber river.”

Here you make a right-‐hand fist and then press the underside (palmar)
against the top of the deck at the center so that the tiny square of
Scotch-‐tape contacts the top card.

Immediately lift off the section of cards above the Breather with your
fist and then smack your fist and the extracted packet face down to the
side.

Slide and spread the cards with your fist as you extract the fist.

Pick up the packet an audibly count the cards to show that the number
of cards matches the chosen number. By reversing the order of the cards
during the “count,” the selection (2S) is now on top. Reveal it to
conclude.

42

43

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