29

CLEVER CARD TRICKS

w 'd tk tU c

SVENGALI DECK
C o m p i l e d By.

JIM SHERMAN
P R IC E 5 0
PUBLISHED

BY

NATIONAL M A G IC COMPANY
119 S. STATE STREET
CHICAGO

Yhe
ALMA

State L i b r a r y of V i c t o r i a
C O N J U R IN G

C O L L E C T IO N

W ILL ALMA ____

H.I.M.C. (LO N D O N )

C opyrighted 1940.

This unusual pack of cards is so cleverly made and the prin

ciple so skillfully concealed that your audience will never sus
pect any special preparation.
D o n t expose the tricks to your friends or the deck w ill be
worthless to you.
SECRET: Upon close examination you will note that in this
mechanical deck every other card is the same, b ut the deck
has been so prepared that all of the cards that are the same
are slightly shorter than the others. Each one of these similar
cards is hidden behind one of the ordinary cards and this
arrangement should always be kept in order to successfully
perform the tricks.
P R E S E N T A T IO N :

To present

the various

tricks properly,

it is necessary to follow a few simple rules.

1. Always even up the cards by tapping the end o f the
deck on the table.
2. Never spread the cards out fanwise when asking some
one to choose a card.
3. The success of nearly all of the tricksdepends upon
rorcing upon the spectator one of the cards which are all aliKc.
To force a card, hold the deck in the left hand face down,
being careful that the cards are all squarely evened up by tap
ing on the table as mentioned above. W ith the thum b o f the
right hand on the lower end of the deck and the four fingers
of the right hand at the upper end o f the deck, bend the
pack slightly and release the cards slowly, allowing them to
fall into the left hand. This is called "rifflin g . Invite the
spectator, as you do this, to pick out one of the cards.
He will be compelled to take one of the cards which are all
alike, for the reason that it will always be on top of the por
tion which falls into the left hand. This is due to the fact
that it is slightly shorter than the other cards, and every time
you riffle the deck only the indifferent cards can be seen by
the audience, as one o f the similar cards is always hidden be
hind one of those shown.

4. Always place selected card at the same place from

which it is taken. Then the deck will never be out of order.
5. W hen cutting the deck always cut from the ends
never from the sides and do not forget to tap the deck on. the
end before doing so, as the deck will work much smoomtr.
O w ing to the preparation of the cards, whenever you cut the
deck (always from the ends) it will always leave one of the
prepared cards on top.
A fter you have thoroughly practiced the above methods of
handling you are prepared to perform the following wonderful
tricks:
N O . 1 A P R E D IC T IO N .
The performer undertakes the task to predict the name of a
card before it is withdrawn from the pack. (Name the force
card of the pack). H old the pack in ordinary dealing position,
with the left hand and invite a spectator to insert his finger
into the upper part of the pack as the cards are riffled with
the index finger of the right hand. This done, the cards are
cut at this point and the spectator is allowed to remove the
top card of the bottom section. This being a force card it is
obvious it will correspond w ith the prediction.
N O . 2 T H E X - R A Y EYES.
A fter cutting the pack a few times to apparently lose the
chosen card the [Sick is cut in two sections. Then the per
former explains that w ith the aid of his "X - R A Y EYES he
is able to select the heap containing the choice card and tell
its position from the top of the heap.
A fter making this
statement a heap is picked and any number is mentioned.
I f the number called is odd, count down to this number, turn
up the card, showing it as the choice card. Should the number
be even, count down to this number and turn over the next
card to reveal it as the choice card.
N O . 3 STOP.
A fter the pack is cut a few times to apparently mix the
card, announce that you will place them one by one from the
top o f the pack into your right hand; whenever the spectator

says stop that w ill be the choice card.

Y ou will note that the pack is arranged so that all the odd
cards are force cards and will correspond to the drawn card.
As you remove the cards count them and should you be stopped
at an even numbered card remove the next or odd numbered
card and show it to be the choice card. I f you are stopped
at an odd card, turn it up and reveal it as the choice card.
N O . 4 C U T T IN G T O T H E C A R D .
A spectator is requested to name any num ber o f times he de
sires the performer to cut the cards. Upon cutting the cards
the number of times requested the choice card w ill be found
on top of the pack. Because a force card appears on top o f
the pack after each cut, the pack may be cut the number of
times requested, the top card w ill always be the choice card.
N O . 5 T H E T R A V E L IN G C A R D .
Showing the choice card on top, cut the pack in half, then
cut the upper section once to bury the choice card. N ow
riffle the bottom portion to show it contains indifferent cards.
Upon snapping both portions w ith the finger, the choice card
will leave the upper section and appear at any number down,
(mentioned by spectator) in the lower one. I t is obvious that
if the number called was odd it is only necessary to pick up
the bottom portion and to count to this number and then turn
up the card; this w ill be the choice card.
I f the number
called was even, count to the number and turn up the next card.
A fter this procedure has beeen accomplished the top portion
may be riffled to convince the spectators that the choice card
has disappeared.
N O . 6 T H E C A R D D E T E C T IO N .
The bottom or indifferent card is given to a spectator to in
sert it face up anywhere in the pack. Upon cutting the pack
at this chosen point, the choice card is shown to be either
above or below it, as the case may be.
W hen presenting this effect one must be cautious so as not
to expose the force card on the bottom after removing the
indifferent card. A t the conclusion of the effect place the

indifferent card on the top of the pack and give it a cut for
proper arrangement.
N O . 7 O D D O R EVEN .
The performer inquires whether he is to cut an even or odd
number of cards off the deck.
Upon receiving a reply thpack is cut and the cards arc counted for verification.
Not only will the cards cut correspond to the request but the
choicc card is shown to be either at the bottom of the scction
that has been cut off or again it may be the top card of the
bottom section, which ever the case may be.
Should the spectator request an even number to be cut, cut
the cards in the ordinary way; at any point, count the cards
removed and show the top card of the bottom section to be
the choice card.
If the request is for an odd number, the
cards arc held face downwards and are riffled in the opposite
direction w ith the left thum b; cutting them at any point,
count the cards cut off and in this case show the bottom card
of the counted off section to be the choice card. After the
count is made for verification, the cards are replaced to keep
them arranged properly.
N O . 8 C O IN C ID E N C E .
Five or six spectators each select ft card. The cards after each
selection are replaced in their own respective positions.
To
conclude the effect have the spectators name their cards at the
count of three.
In writing, this effect m ight seem simple,
however it really must be tried in order to see to what extent
it impresses the spectators when they discover they all se
lected the same card.
N O . 9 T R A N S P O S IT IO N .
A t this stage of your routine the spectators will be' dazzled
at your perfection and no doubt will wonder how you can
accomplish such effects. You m ight explain to them that by
merely snapping any card with the fingers a change is made
in the value of the card into the choicc card.
After this
statement has been made perform the following effect.
Have a spectator say stop at any time the pack is being r if
6

fled. A tte n tio n is called to the name o f the card stopped at.
The card is now riffled onto the others.
A t this p o in t the
pack is c u t and the apparent card noted is pushed o ff w ith
the le ft th u m b , face dow n upon the table.
(B u t in rea lity
when this card was riffled o n to the others a force card im
m ediately follow ed and it is this card th a t is a ctu a lly placed
on the table.)
A fte r the above procedure, the bo ttom section o f the pack is
placed on the top so th a t a fte r the card on the table is snapped
and then turned face upw ard, to show the change, i t is placed
on the top o f the pack to keep the cards properly arranged.
N O . 10 R E U N IO N .
T u rn the choice card face up on the top o f the pack and c u t
approxim ately one th ird o f the cards o ff and place them on
the table. C u t the rem aining p o rtio n in h a lf and tu rn these
portions face upw ard.
E ith e r one o f the heaps w ith an in
diffe re n t card is selected.
T he choice card is then turned face dow nw ard on its heap,
and the o th e r heap w ith the in d iffe re n t card is placed face
down on the top o f the choice card. N o w a tte ntio n is called
to the denom ination o f the card on the selected heap. The
heap is then turn e d face down and placed on the top o f
the other cards. W h ile doing this, a tte ntio n is called to the
fa c t th a t the choice card is separated fro m the noted card by
the o ther heap. N o w upon c u ttin g the pack once, the noted
card is then located and the force card below it is then shown.
T his impressses the spectators th a t the choice card has m ys
teriously traveled to join the noted card.
N O . 11 T H E M A S T E R T O U C H .
A fte r c u ttin g the pack a few times, atte ntio n is called to the
fa c t th a t the choice card is lost somewhere in the pack. U pon
m aking a statement in regard to yo u r sensitive finger tips place
the pack behind y o u r back or underneath the table and bring
fo rth the choice card, apparently rem oving i t fro m the center
o f the pack. T o accomplish the above effect i t is o n ly neces
sary to remove and b rin g fo r th the to p force card. Replace
this card on top and fo llo w w ith the n e xt effect.
7

NO. 12CARD TO POCKET.

The pack is prepared for this effect as in the preceeding trick.
W hile it was held behind the back, the second card from the
bottom (a force card) is placed in the rear hip pocket. Pre
pared in this manner, and after completing the above effect,
(The Master Touch) remove the bottom card, fans the pack
w ith it to apparently cause the choice card to disappear. Place
this card on the top o f the deck and close the effect by re
moving the card from your pocket and showing it as the
choice card.

N O . 13 R E V E R S E D C A R D .
The choice card is shown on the top, and the pack is then
given a cut. Upon spreading the cards, the choice card w ill
be found to have reversed itself. As in the preceeding trick
one prepares the pack for this problem during the Master Touch
Effect. W hile the cards are held behind the pack as outlined
in the above mentioned effect, the third card from the top
(a force card) is reversed.
Upon completing the Card to
Pockets effect, attention is called to the choice card being face
down and on the top of the pack. The pack is then cut and
the effect is brought to a climax by showing that the choice
card is now reversed.
N O . 14 T H E M A ST ER C U T .
The choice card is shown on top and a spectator is requested
to name any number of cards to be cut and placed on top of
it. The performer cuts approximately the number of cards
from the bottom and places them on top of the choice card.
To verify that the exact amount o f cards were cut, the re
quested amount is counted off the top of the pack and the
choice card is disclosed. Should the spectator request an even
number to be cut, the approximate number is then cut from
the bottom of the pack and are placed on the choice card. I f
the request is for an odd number, the cards are held face down
and riffled in the opposite direction w ith the left thum b, the

thum b retaining back approximately the requested amount of

cards which arc placed on top of the choicc card.
The last procedure leaves a force card on the bottom, so the
pack must be held face downward so that the force card will
not be exposed. A fter the count has been made to verify the
number of cards placed oro the choice card the pack is cut to
arrange it properly.
N O . 15 A SPEC T A T O R LO C A T ES T H E C A R D .
(You will note that this effect is very similar to effect No. 1)
The card is selected by the spectator in the same manner as
in the effect number one. Just before the selection is made
tell him that he will locate the choice card.
N O . 16 SPELLIN G BEE.
The cards are apparently mixed either by a riffle shuffle or by
a cut. The name of the choice card is spelled out, removing
a card from the top of the pack for each letter. Should the
amount of letters in the force cards name be odd, upon spel
ling it out, the card at the last letter will be the choice card.
Should it have an even amount o f letters the card following
the last letter is turned and revealed as the choice card.
N O . 17 C A R D O N C H O S E N HEAPS.
C u t the pack in four heaps, cutting them at their ends so that
a force card will be on top of every pile. The spectator is
then instructed to select a heap.
A fter the selection, the
cards are reassembled w ith the exception of the selected heap.
Find it on top of the selected heap. Replace this heap on the
bulk of the pack and you are now ready to perform the fo l
lowing effect.
N O . 18 S O L ID T H R O U G H S O L ID .
Choicc card is turned face up on top of the pack and then
the pack is cut. The lower half is riffled to show it contains
all indifferent cards. This half is then held underneath the
table w ith the left hand. The right hand turns the choice
card face down and gives upper half o f the pack a cut. Upon
snapping the upper section of the pack w ith the index finger
of the right hand, the lower section is brought forth, becausc

the top card of this section will always be a forced card. To

climax the effect, it is only necessary to turn card face up to
convince the spectators that the choice card has penetrated
through the table. A fter this procedure the top section should
be riffled to show that the choice card is missing. W hen the
riffling is complete replace the upper section on the lower
section of the pack and proceed w ith the routine.
N O . 19 T H E PE RSIST A N T C A R D .
C u t the pack a few times and snap the pack w ith the index
finger, then turn the top card over and show that it is the
choice card. C ut the pack again* snap the top card, turn it
face up to again reveal its appearance on the top of the pack.
The above procedure may be repeated as often as desired.

NO. 20THE MENTAL DETECTION.

Riffle the cards slowly before a spectators eyes, telling him
to mentally select a card. A fter this procedure put the pack
behind your back at the same time explaining that you will
place the choice card next to the mentally selected one. A fter
apparently arranging them bring the pack forth and have the
thought of card named. Riffle the pack slowly to locate this
card, cut the pack at this point, and reveal the force card on
top of the bottom section as the choice card. Replace the
upper section and proceed w ith the following effect.

NO. 21COUNTING TO THE CHOSEN CARD.

Riffle, shuffle or cut the cards a few times to apparently mix
them. Ask spectator to name any number from one to fiftytwo. I f an odd number is called count to it and reveal it as
the choice card, however, if an even number is asked count
to this number and turn up the next card.

N O . 22 A P E C U L IA R C H A N G E .
As the pack is riffled the performer asks to be stopped at any
point. Place the bottom section on the top group. This brings
a force to the top of the pack. Remove this card w ithout re-

10

vealing it and place it face down on the table. The pack is

riffled again and a card is selected by another spectator (it is
obvious that this w ill be the force card). A fte r this pro
cedure the spectator is asked to name the noted card. Upon
receiving a reply snap the pack w ith the index finger and
then slowly riffle it to show that the card has disappeared. The
card on the table is turned face up and is revealed to be the
choice card. Replace the card on top o f the pack, cut the
pack a few times and follow w ith the next effect.
N O . 23 T H E M A ST ER T O U C H .
A fter the pack is cut a few times to apparently lose the choice
card, it is riffled and the performer is stopped at any time
during the operation.
The pack is then cut at the designated
point and attention is called to the number of pips on the
bottom card o f the upper section.
(Jack evaluates at eleven;
Queen, twelve and the King, thirteen). I f the number o f pips
happen to be odd, count down to this number in the bottom
section and turn up the card at this number, showing it as the
choice card. Should the spots on the card be even, count
down to this number and turn over the next card to reveal
it as the choice card. Replace the upper section and follow
through w ith the next effect.

NO. 24 T H E M IR A C L E .
The pack is cut a few times and the cards are then dealt in
two heaps one at the time. This brings the 26 short force
cards in one pile and the 26 indifferent cards in another pile.
Have the spectator select a pile. Should he select the in d if
ferent pile, have him search for the choice card. U pon re
ceiving the acknowledgement that the choice card is not w ith
in the heap, spread the short or force cards face down on the
table and have him pick one. To his surprise the choice card
is picked. Should he point to the pile containing the force
cards spread them over the table and hand him the pile con
taining the indifferent cards and follow out the above procedure.
N O 2J T H E ST ABBIN G T R IC K .
1. R u n the cards over and have someone pull a card out.
H e will always select the same card.

II

2. '5/r.,) the deck in a -'ce o f paper. Have a knife inserted

in the deck by the spectator. The selected card will always
be either directly above or below the blade.
3. C u t the deck into three piles (remember to cut' from the
ends of the deck.) The chosen card will always be on top of
any pile named.
4. Ask any spectator to call out a number, telling h im the
card he took from the deck will be any number he says. I f
he asks for an odd number the card is already there. I f an
even number is given, show him the next card.
N O . 26 T H E M IST AK E.
1. L ift the top card and show1 it. (Y ou actually pick up two
cards.) Replace it on the deck, slide off the trick card face
down, and ask someone to place his hand over the card. Y ou
now have him select a card from the deck and replace it.
Y ou can now apparently cause it to leave the deck and change
places w ith the card covered by his hand.
2. Reverse the top card and cut the deck. Have a carc
1.1 ken and replaced in the deck.
Then command the card t J
.urn around in the deck.
N O . 27 T H E R IS IN G C A R D .
I.
Place a tooth pick at the bottom o f the deck and push
upward. The chosen card will always rise.
N O . 28 C A R D F R O M POCKET.
Place the deck in your friends pocket, face the deck towards
his body. Ask him to remove one card quickly.
H e w ill
always pull out the selected card.
N O . 29 T H E B U R N E D C A R D .
A card is selected and burned. Y ou can make the card re
appear whenever you wish.
P R IC E P E R D E C K , Postpaid, $1.00.
N A T IO N A L M A G IC C O M P A N Y
119 S. S T A T E ST REET
C H I C A G O 3, I L L I N O IS
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