The Magicanada Project

Liam · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 424

i was at a house that had no internet... but i will participate, give me a couple days

LIVR · Joined: 29 Aug 2008 Posts: 52 Location: Ontario

We can't give you a presentation for this "trick" because there is no trick. What it appears you have (and given the slightly ambiguous discussion, I may be wrong) merely a multiple card control, the equivalent to a multiple shift.

I've always held the "was that your card" ending in very low esteem. In order to make a trick per say, you would have to do something else, control the cards and produce them from somewhere, spell to them, produce them with a colour change, etc.

We're back to the age old statement, "If you have fifty ways to control a card and only one way to reveal it..."

My experience has been that magicians invent goofy presentations to cover weak effects, illogical handlings and trivial plots. Good magic speaks for itself.

But enough complaining Jamy Ian Swiss-style about the conditions of the challenge, here goes:

Use your control system (whatever it is) to locate the cards and bring the first card second from top, the second card 8th from top and the last card to the bottom then do an out-faro.

1. First person concentrates on card, you (slip) cut to it.
2. "You think that's impressive but... can he cut to an indicator card? Slip cut, turn over the new top card, use this indicator card to spell to the second card.
3. Milk shuffle the last card to the top (double) turnover the top card, say they will use this x-card to find their own card. Have them stab it into the pack, applaud them for a job well done, turn the card over to show it's now their card.

(The out-faro isn't strictly necessary, but it's much easier to get a card into the 8th position either by sight or jog shuffles than it is to get it 16th)

Ben Train · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 268

Hey LIVR,

The method is a serious reworking of a Sam Schwartz trick from the 70's, in which two cards could be cut too, then found when the magician looked through the pack.

The method relied on a full deck stack.

The modification I've made allows it to be done impromptu, and allow for THREE cards. But, as with the Schwartz original, you don't have control of the cards (since the pack is out of your hands) until you look through the pack. Then you are free to cull or reposition as you see fit.

I have several interesting presentations for this, including mind-reading, gambling themed, and magic (which was a weak handling- I forced Le Carte's General onto it, and the whole thing became quite muddled).

So, as mentioned, you have the bare bones of a method/procedure, and you have to come up with a presentation. Go wild.

Ben
p.s.
As mentioned- if the you pick one I find it thing bores you (as it does EVERYONE except Simon Aaronson fans... just kidding!... sorta) then keep in mind my friend's quote earlier in this topic.

teddy · Joined: 31 Aug 2007 Posts: 166

All right, I guess I have to enter, since no one else is... Razz

"Miss, could you come here for one second? I'm on the verge of a breakthrough in the field of quantum physics and I need someone to help me."

(Right now they are intrigued and impressed with your genius, at which you point you add:

"I'm just kidding. (*Produce a deck out of "thin air"-maybe have it sleeved at the beginning*) Pick a card."

This should get a few laughs and loosen up the crowd.

"Actually, I need a different person to shuffle the deck; perhaps you, ma'am? Thank you. And a man also; could you, sir? I appreciate it. Now, all three of you, please cut to a card. You first, miss, and please return it to the deck. Thank you. And now you, sir. And you, ma'am.

Now that all of you have your cards, I need you to remember them. Burn them into your mind. It is vital that all you think of is your card. Have you done that? Great. Are you confident that I have no idea where or what they are? Good.

Wouldn't it be amazing if each of you looked in your pockets and your card was there? (They look and find nothing.) I said, 'Wouldn't it be amazing,' not 'Check your pockets.' Come on, that would have been impossible. (Spectators laugh.)

All right, let's all be serious now. Ma'am, you have a card in mind, am I correct? Perfect. You are going to help me find it. (Look through the cards as you say the following.) I want you to think of the answers to the following questions. Don't say them out loud, but think them clearly. Is your card red or black? Black, huh? (She nods.) Good, because I was just guessing. (She laughs.) Now, what suit is it? Clubs? Sweet. You're not that impressed, are you? (She says no.) I see what you mean. But maybe you will be after I show you the card I think is yours. (Remove the seven of clubs and show it to her. The crowd is amazed.)

That leaves this man and this woman. Sir, I'm going to find your card first. (Start looking through the deck again.) All right, I want you to tell me where your card is. (He points to one.) I'm sorry, you're wrong. (Take a different card and show it to him. It is his card, the king of hearts.)

Now, miss, do you remember your card? Yes? Great. You know, from the minute I saw you I thought we had a special mental bond. Do you think so? No? Ouch. Well, I think so anyway. So I need you to focus on your card. (Raise your hand and wave it slowly over her face.) Come on, you're not focusing! Think harder! Ow, not that hard! (Clutch your head as if in mental agony.) Look, here's proof that we do have a bond. (Go through and find her card. Give it to her face-down and have her flip it over slowly. It is the ace of diamonds, her card - what are the odds?)

I made up some jokes and put them in. This is completely original; I just concocted it, which is why it's not perfect.

Michael Kras · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:58 pm Post subject:

LIVR · Joined: 29 Aug 2008 Posts: 52 Location: Ontario

Michael Kras · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:55 am Post subject:

LOL... well, I met him once recently at The Eric Mead lecture in Toronto. He and I also communicated prior to that via forums.
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teddy · Joined: 31 Aug 2007 Posts: 166

Would anyone like to critique my entry? It's impossible for me to be objective in judging it; what do you think, Ben? Brian? LIVR (Or Mark Lewis)? Michael?

Michael Kras · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 1:40 am Post subject:

I thought it was overall quite humourous and entertaining, although admittedly it sounded a bit standard. However, I really really liked it.

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