Читать книгу Expert Card Technique - Jean Hugard - Страница 79

This card change, though well known to most conjurers, is still one of the best available when its one weakness is recognized and corrected.

The change is this: The operator makes a double lift and shows the second card, let us say the ten of hearts, above which is the ten of spades. The two cards are taken as one and thrust, face downwards, halfway into the outer end of the deck. With the aid of the left forefinger the ten of hearts is thrust flush into the pack, the upper card remaining projecting from the end. This card is then removed and dropped upon the table.

Since the onlookers believe that only one card is used, and this card apparently always remains in sight, they are willing to concede that the tabled card is the ten of hearts, whereas actually it is the ten of spades.

Using the method generally employed, too many of the spectators see the lower card sliding into the pack, for an overlap of only a fraction of an inch is instantly noticeable. The following method eliminates this flaw in an otherwise excellent sleight.

1. Make a double lift, taking the two cards, perfectly squared, at the outer right corner between the right thumb on the top and the second finger at the face. Rest the tip of the first finger at the edge of the outer end to aid in holding the two cards in alignment.

2. Show the face of the lower card and thrust both cards into the outer end of the pack, which is held in the left hand as for dealing, the left thumb riffling open a break at its side for the convenient entry of the two cards as you shift the pack to the left finger tips.

3. Retaining your grip of the two cards at the right outer corner, thrust the two cards into the deck until only three-quarters of an inch protrudes from its outer end, Fig. 1.

4. With the right thumb push the top card outward and to the left, at the same moment drawing the lower card a little to the right with the tip of the second finger, both digits acting at the same moment in a sliding motion one against the other. In Fig. 2 the right fingers have been re-moved, showing the relative position of the cards. The fleshy ball of the right thumb rests on and conceals the outer right corner of the lower card and the edges of the lower card cannot be seen from the end or the left side since it has been drawn inward and to the right.

5. Engage the outer end of the lower card with the tip of the left forefinger, which can be done cleanly since the upper card now projects beyond it, and push the lower card flush into the deck. The card protruding from the pack, the original upper card, can now be employed in any way required for the purpose of the trick.

It is hardly necessary to point out that the sleight can be performed with the cards face upwards or face downwards; with face-up cards and a face-down deck; or face-down cards and a face-up deck.{4}