Royal Road to Card Magic The

upper portion, bring the right hand over the remaining packet, the fingers slightly in front of it (figure 61), and grasp it with a little backwards motion of the hand between the thumb and fingers. At the same time bend the index finger, pressing its nail downwards on the palmed card, flattening it and adding it to the packet (figure 62).

    3. Immediately take the cards away with the right hand and extend the left to take the spectator's cards. Drop those you hold in your right hand on top of those now in your left, saying, 'You shuffled and cut the cards. Thank you.'
    This procedure is entirely natural, for, in assisting in making the cut, the right hand would move to the left to pick up the cards remaining in the left hand even if there were no sleight involved.
    Second method There are occasions when you will want to replace palmed cards and when it is not desirable to have the pack cut - as, for example, when performing the Card in the Pocket, the next trick to be described. In such cases you use the procedure given in the first method, but the left hand with the pack is held at the centre of the body so that the two hands come together naturally. The left hand places the pack in the right hand, which adds the palmed cards as already described.
    To understand the importance of placing the pack in the right hand, rather than reaching for it and taking it with the right, stand on someone's left and hand him an object. Next offer him another object. He will move his left hand to his right, which will move very little, then place the first object in the right hand, and move his left hand back to take the second object. In making the replacement, you simulate this natural action.
    The best way to gain complete confidence in your ability to palm cards successfully is to do tricks in which the palm is used. In the feats that follow, the sleight is executed under such favourable circumstances - the attention of the spectators being directed elsewhere - that the student need have no fear of being detected if he times his movements properly.
    TRICKS WITH THE PALM
    Card in the Pocket
    In this feat the magician discovers a card that has been merely thought of, without apparently having been given any clues. It is a good idea to introduce the trick as one that is done by mind reading.
    1. It is necessary to have a spectator think of a small number, but rather than limiting him to numbers between, say, one and ten or twelve, ask him to think of his favourite hour. 'For example,' you say, 'you may be an early riser and your favourite hour would then be six o'clock - although that certainly is not mine. Or you may favour your lunch hour, or the hour when you watch your favourite television programme. Any hour you please, but fix your mind on it and do not change it.
    'I am going to hand you the pack and I want you to ascertain what card lies at your favourite hour from the top. For instance, four o'clock may be your choice - afternoon tea, you know. In that case you will lift the cards one by one, counting one, two, three, four. Look at and remember the fourth card, and put the cards back on top of the pack.' Hand the pack to him. 'Will you do the same thing, so that the matter will be quite clear to you?' See that the spectator cuts and puts the cards back correctly.
    2. Continue with the patter, thus. 'That's fine. Now shuffle the pack thoroughly and cut it. Satisfied? Then I will turn my back while you count down to the number of your favourite hour, note the card at that number and show it to all, finally replacing the cards on the top of the pack.' Turn away. When the spectator announces he is ready, turn around and take the deck.
    3. 'Now, you have thought of your favourite hour and you have noted the card at that number from the top of this deck which you shuffled and cut yourself. It is impossible for me to know where any particular card may be in the deck, but to make the test still more convincing I will place the cards behind my back.' Do so.
    'Now, I want you to think intently of your favourite hour and the card you noted. Imagine you see a big picture of the number and the card on the wall. That's good. I believe I have it.' Bring forwards the bottom card of the deck, holding it facing you and not allowing anyone to get a glimpse of its face. Look at the card - it makes no difference what card it is - then at the spectators, and say, 'Yes, I believe it's the one you are thinking of. Don't name it. I'll put this