Further to the t-Find-It problem, one notion I had was to change the effect a little. Instead of the spectator placing the reversed card next to the selection, maybe they place it so you can spell or count to their selection. This necessitates placing the reversed card several cards from the bottom of the packet. An easy way would be to glimpse the bottom card then shuffle or move a few to the bottom. You might reverse a 5 Spot, five cards from the bottom of your packet. But when you count that 5, the selection will either end up on the last card counted or it will be the next one. And that difference is easy to work with.
However, Dominic Twose emailed a much better idea that he published in his book Impromptu Secrets. It’s a clever solution because it attempts to eliminate the error before it happens rather than fix it later. Here is what Dominic says:
“I have a version of U Find It in my Impromptu Secrets. I guess the problem you allude to is if they slide the card between the selection and the reversed card. The chances of that happening increase if the deck has a natural convex bend in it, because that opens up a gap between thee selection and the reversed card. My solution was to give the cards a slight concave bend before you start.”
You can get Dominic’s book from International Magic
I’m very much enjoying the card tricks presented in this newsletter, David. Hence, I am leaving yet another comment!
“Call My Name” provides an ingenious solution to the repetitive dealing required when using Colm Mulcahy’s Low Down Triple Dealing Principle. The presentation sets up the effect beautifully and would be perfect for a Halloween or Bizzare Magick performance.
The Bloody Mary Curse was a well-known urban legend during the 80s and 90s. It had various versions, but the most popular way of invoking her ghost that I remember from my school days was to say her name three times while looking into a mirror. However, the girls at my partner’s school used to play a particularly cruel prank based on this ghost story. They would encourage someone to perform the ritual in front of the bathroom mirror, and then, as the person said the name for the last time, they would turn off the lights, leaving the person in total darkness. Worst still, they'd block the bathroom door from the outside so that their victim was unable to escape. As a result, she hates looking at mirrors in the dark!
To add more drama to the second phase of the trick, you could lean into this aspect of the presentation and reverse the Queen of Hearts, rather than a second selected card. Then, after locating the chosen card, pass the deck to your participant and dare them to say “Bloody Mary” three times in a row. When they spread through the cards, they will find the Queen of Hearts flipped over, which should unnerve them, especially if you have a friend/stagehand turn off the lights!
Incidentally, I’m writing up two similar tricks for my blog, “The Man with the Axe” and “The Axeman Cometh”, based on the infamous serial killer, The Axeman of New Orleans. The above handling would work with this presentation, if you substitute the King of Diamonds for the Queen of Hearts.
Marty
P.S. I’m also writing a book dedicated solely to variations of Dr Daley’s Last Trick. “Aces Allegro” is an exquisite handling of the plot.
Regarding "U-Find-It", the thing that makes it ever so slightly risky is the small chance that the participant places the "reversed card" (?) directly below the face-up key card. One solution is to write "Off by one!" on the back of the key card reversed on the bottom of the deck. When the card below it is turned face up, if it is not the chosen card, you can turn the reversed card over to display the message. However, if it is the selection, pocket the reversed card without showing the message on its back.
If you don't like this solution, you could always palm off the selection while everyone reacts to your participant's apparent failure. Then ask your participant what card they chose. Say, "Well that's not possible. I keep that card in my pocket/wallet!" and then remove it accordingly.
Wow, "The Slade Experiment" is excellent, David. The handkerchief version is more elegant, but the openess of under-the-table version is very disarming, too. Directing attention elsewhere is easy as the cord is pulled through the ring by handing the other end to a spectator to hold.
Could you complete the knot one-handed in your jacket pocket? You might need to use a small peg, hidden in your pocket, to substitute for your thumb. A daft idea, perhaps!
You could also perform this trick like Corinda's "Powers of Darkness" by asking your participant to close their eyes and hold the ends of the cord while you complete the knot. Once you finish, take the cord from them and secretly draw the end through the ring as you show them how to tug on the cord. Finally, let them pull on the cord to remove the slip knot themselves. Hopefully, they'll misremember the effect and think they always kept hold of the two ends.
Thanks, as always, for sharing your clever tricks with us. 😁
Dear David. I've not read/watched your new digest yet, but I have a very nice routine (imho) using the Mulcahy principle which I'd like to send to you via email. I'm proud of the presentation and think you might enjoy it. If interested, please let me know at pgmagic@btinternet.com and I'll send it to you. It's described in one para. ♥ Paul Gordon
Further to the t-Find-It problem, one notion I had was to change the effect a little. Instead of the spectator placing the reversed card next to the selection, maybe they place it so you can spell or count to their selection. This necessitates placing the reversed card several cards from the bottom of the packet. An easy way would be to glimpse the bottom card then shuffle or move a few to the bottom. You might reverse a 5 Spot, five cards from the bottom of your packet. But when you count that 5, the selection will either end up on the last card counted or it will be the next one. And that difference is easy to work with.
However, Dominic Twose emailed a much better idea that he published in his book Impromptu Secrets. It’s a clever solution because it attempts to eliminate the error before it happens rather than fix it later. Here is what Dominic says:
“I have a version of U Find It in my Impromptu Secrets. I guess the problem you allude to is if they slide the card between the selection and the reversed card. The chances of that happening increase if the deck has a natural convex bend in it, because that opens up a gap between thee selection and the reversed card. My solution was to give the cards a slight concave bend before you start.”
You can get Dominic’s book from International Magic
https://www.internationalmagic.com/p/own-range/impromptu-secrets-dominic-twose
Thanks Bob
I’m very much enjoying the card tricks presented in this newsletter, David. Hence, I am leaving yet another comment!
“Call My Name” provides an ingenious solution to the repetitive dealing required when using Colm Mulcahy’s Low Down Triple Dealing Principle. The presentation sets up the effect beautifully and would be perfect for a Halloween or Bizzare Magick performance.
The Bloody Mary Curse was a well-known urban legend during the 80s and 90s. It had various versions, but the most popular way of invoking her ghost that I remember from my school days was to say her name three times while looking into a mirror. However, the girls at my partner’s school used to play a particularly cruel prank based on this ghost story. They would encourage someone to perform the ritual in front of the bathroom mirror, and then, as the person said the name for the last time, they would turn off the lights, leaving the person in total darkness. Worst still, they'd block the bathroom door from the outside so that their victim was unable to escape. As a result, she hates looking at mirrors in the dark!
To add more drama to the second phase of the trick, you could lean into this aspect of the presentation and reverse the Queen of Hearts, rather than a second selected card. Then, after locating the chosen card, pass the deck to your participant and dare them to say “Bloody Mary” three times in a row. When they spread through the cards, they will find the Queen of Hearts flipped over, which should unnerve them, especially if you have a friend/stagehand turn off the lights!
Incidentally, I’m writing up two similar tricks for my blog, “The Man with the Axe” and “The Axeman Cometh”, based on the infamous serial killer, The Axeman of New Orleans. The above handling would work with this presentation, if you substitute the King of Diamonds for the Queen of Hearts.
Marty
P.S. I’m also writing a book dedicated solely to variations of Dr Daley’s Last Trick. “Aces Allegro” is an exquisite handling of the plot.
Regarding "U-Find-It", the thing that makes it ever so slightly risky is the small chance that the participant places the "reversed card" (?) directly below the face-up key card. One solution is to write "Off by one!" on the back of the key card reversed on the bottom of the deck. When the card below it is turned face up, if it is not the chosen card, you can turn the reversed card over to display the message. However, if it is the selection, pocket the reversed card without showing the message on its back.
If you don't like this solution, you could always palm off the selection while everyone reacts to your participant's apparent failure. Then ask your participant what card they chose. Say, "Well that's not possible. I keep that card in my pocket/wallet!" and then remove it accordingly.
Marty
Wow, "The Slade Experiment" is excellent, David. The handkerchief version is more elegant, but the openess of under-the-table version is very disarming, too. Directing attention elsewhere is easy as the cord is pulled through the ring by handing the other end to a spectator to hold.
Could you complete the knot one-handed in your jacket pocket? You might need to use a small peg, hidden in your pocket, to substitute for your thumb. A daft idea, perhaps!
You could also perform this trick like Corinda's "Powers of Darkness" by asking your participant to close their eyes and hold the ends of the cord while you complete the knot. Once you finish, take the cord from them and secretly draw the end through the ring as you show them how to tug on the cord. Finally, let them pull on the cord to remove the slip knot themselves. Hopefully, they'll misremember the effect and think they always kept hold of the two ends.
Thanks, as always, for sharing your clever tricks with us. 😁
Terrific new issue, thanks!
Always a pleasure getting your emails. Thanks for sharing such great contecnt.
Dear David. I've not read/watched your new digest yet, but I have a very nice routine (imho) using the Mulcahy principle which I'd like to send to you via email. I'm proud of the presentation and think you might enjoy it. If interested, please let me know at pgmagic@btinternet.com and I'll send it to you. It's described in one para. ♥ Paul Gordon