Royal Road to Card Magic The

strict conditions, by having the spectators themselves name the numbers at which certain cards are to be found. Shuffle overhand, using the overhand break control to return the arranged cards to the top of the pack.
    2. Invite a spectator to call any number between ten and twenty. Suppose fourteen is called. Deal fourteen cards face downwards in a pile and lay the remainder of the pack aside. Pick up the fourteen cards. 'You named the number fourteen,' you say. 'One and four make five so I shall take the fifth card.' Deal four cards face downwards, then take the fifth card and lay it aside face downwards.
    Drop all the cards remaining in your hands on those just dealt, pick up all and replace them on the remainder of the deck.
    3. Overhand shuffle again, using the injog and break, and again bring the arranged cards into the required position. Ask a second spectator to name another number between ten and twenty. Proceed in exactly the same way as in step 2, using the new number. Place the card thus arrived at with the first, also face downwards.
    4. Have a third spectator name a number and so arrive at a third card. Place it with the other two.
    5. 'I want one more card,' you say. 'This time I'll leave the choice of a number to pure chance.' Shuffle overhand again, using the overhand lift shuffle this time but being careful to have more than nine cards in the first packet. This shuffle will return the nine-spot to the top of the pack and the ninth card under it will be the fourth ace. Turn the top card, the nine, then deal and place the ninth card with the other three cards you have found and laid aside.
    'In spite of the fact that you named any numbers you pleased and that the last card was determined by chance alone, look what has happened!' Turn the four cards face upwards with a flourish. They are the four aces!
    Leapfrog
    Here we have a rather striking discovery. A selected card leaps into view over the backs of the others.
    1. Following the usual routine a card is freely selected, noted, returned to the pack and controlled to the top.
    2. Shuffle the card to the bottom and retain it in that position.
    3. Key undercut about one-third of the deck and place the packet on top so that about one-third of its length protrudes outwards, being careful not to expose the bottom card in making the cut.
    4. With the tip of the left forefinger pull down the outer end of the selected card at the bottom of the upper packet until it is bent almost at right angles (figure 76). 'If there is one game the cards love, it's leapfrog. Watch!'

    5. Have the chosen card named, and instantly let all the cards of the upper packet escape from your left thumb and fingers, and press the forefinger hard against the end of the bent card. All the cards of this packet will fall upwards and outwards, turning face upwards as they fall on the table, except the bottom card, the chosen card, which will also turn face upwards but will be retained against the bottom card of the deck by the left forefinger, figure 77.

    6. Raise your left hand and display the card thus extending face outwards from the top of the pack, which faces you.
    Spectator's Card Trick
    Sooner or later you will meet the man who insists on taking the pack in his own hands and then challenges you to do a trick. The following feat is useful on such occasions.
    1. Secretly glimpse the top card of the pack, which we will say is the four of hearts. False shuffle the cards, retaining the four of hearts at the top.
    2. Hand the pack to a spectator, saying, 'It is curious that so many people suspect a magician of conniving and subterfuge. I assure you that the things I do simply happen - I have no control over the cards. To show you what I mean, let's pretend that you are the magician and I am the spectator. First of all, you must spread the cards and invite me to remove one.'
    3. Remove a card and glance at it guardedly. You do not care what card it is since it plays no part in the trick, but a good satirical impersonation of a canny spectator can be amusing. 'Now,' you say, 'tell me to replace my card.' When he does so, cautiously insert the card about halfway down in the pack and push it flush. Have him square the cards, then continue. 'You see how simple it is? Now all you have to do is find my card and produce it in some surprising manner.'
    4. Your assistant will be forced to admit that he cannot do this. 'Then you must appeal to others,' you say. 'Ask this gentleman. Have him name