Royal Road to Card Magic The

break control shuffle.
    Overhand Lift Shuffle
    To a certain extent the same objection that we have noted with regard to the undercut and throw method applies to the use of the break. If used constantly without any variation it would be possible to detect the fact that a portion of the deck is kept intact. The lift shuffle obtains the same result as both the preceding methods
in one shuffle and is therefore the most perfect partial false shuffle extant.
    1. Let us suppose that a small number of cards, up to say eight or ten, must be retained intact on top of the pack in the course of an overhand shuffle.
    Begin by lifting the whole pack with the right hand, holding it by the ends between the top phalanxes of the thumb and the middle finger.
    2. As the first movement of the shuffle, pull off these cards into the left hand. Bring the deck down on top of this packet (A) and pull off another packet (B) with the left thumb.
At the same moment
that the deck strikes the left palm, press the tip of the right ring finger against the end of the first packet (A), pressing its inner end against the right thumb at the second joint and thus holding it firmly.
    3. After releasing the packet B, lift the right hand, carrying away the remainder of the deck and packet A gripped between the ring finger and the thumb. Packet B completely conceals this move (figure 71).

    4. Continue the shuffle from C until all the cards between the middle finger and the thumb have been shuffled off, then drop packet A intact on top of all the cards in the left hand.
    A few minutes' practice will enable you to make this lift of the special packet smoothly and imperceptibly. We know of no other sleight in the whole range of card conjuring which is so valuable and so easily learned. A judicious mixture of the shuffle and undercut (overhand shuffle control), the shuffle and break (overhand break control), and the shuffle and lift (overhand lift shuffle) will baffle the keenest and most sceptical observer.
    Naturally the top card can be controlled in this way just as easily as can a small number, but this is only one of the several uses to which the sleight can be put.
    A very effective use is for gathering several chosen cards and retaining them on top of the deck, although they are replaced separately and the pack is shuffled each time. To do this, start with the deck in the left hand. Undercut the bulk of the cards with the right hand, and thrust forwards the left for the replacement of the chosen card on top of that packet. Then execute the lift sleight in the first movement of the overhand shuffle, and finally drop the lifted packet on top of all. Repeat the moves for the remaining cards and you have all the chosen cards on the top of the pack. Remember, however, that the order they are now in is the reverse of that in which they were replaced.
    Lift Shuffle Force
    It is often necessary to compel a spectator to take a certain card. This is termed forcing and there are a number of ways in which it can be done, some of which will be discussed later. It must always be borne in mind that a force is only successful when the spectator is convinced that he has had a free choice. If he has any suspicion that he had been made to take a certain card, then the glamour of its later discovery is tarnished. The lift shuffle affords a method of forcing that is not only easy, but also convincing.
    1. Have the card to be forced on the top of the deck; shuffle it to the bottom and back to the top.
    2. Tell a spectator that you are about to shuffle the cards, and request him to call 'Stop' at any moment that he pleases. Execute step 2 of the overhand lift shuffle.
    3. Continue to shuffle without pause, taking off cards with the left thumb in small packets. At the moment the spectator calls stop, bring the right hand down and release the lifted packet on top of the cards already in your left hand, as you say, 'Here? Very well, that's fine.'
    4. Extend your left hand to him to take the top card of that packet, that is to say, the card to be forced.
    The action is so natural that many of the best card magicians use this force in preference to any other. Of course, you must not look at the cards while shuffling. Keep your gaze fixed on the spectator, watch his lips and you will note the exact moment he is about to call stop and act accordingly.
    By having several cards that are to be forced on the top of the deck, you can force them in rapid succession in the same way. When