Royal Road to Card Magic The

lift the right-hand packet to a vertical position, asking the spectator to note and remember the card he has chosen freely.
    At this point it is not advisable to hand the deck to the spectator to be shuffled at once. It is better to square the pack and execute a short overhand shuffle yourself, and then hand the cards out to be shuffled.
    Double-Lift Force
    Place the card to be forced at the top of the pack.
    1. Give the deck an overhand shuffle, retaining the force card at the top, then take the pack in the left hand, face downwards, as for dealing. Ask someone to name a number between five and fifteen, emphasising that he has a free choice and may change his mind as often as he likes. As you make this statement, prepare for a double lift by inserting the tip of your left little finger under the two top cards.
    2. Suppose you are given the number nine. Say, 'Number nine? Very well.' Grasp the two cards above the little finger break at the ends between the right index finger and thumb and carry them away as one card, counting 'One.' Push a second card off the pack with the left thumb and drop it on to the two held by the right hand, counting 'Two.' Continue to deal the cards until you have counted to a number one less than the number given. In the illustration we have used you would count to eight.
    3. 'The next card is the card at your number and you will have to admit that, since you yourself named the number, I could not know it in advance. I want you ...' Break off abruptly, as though struck by a thought. Replace the cards you hold in your right hand on top of the deck and extend it to the spectator. 'I don't even want to touch your card,' you explain. 'You take the cards, turn your back, count down to the ninth card, look at it, remember it and then shuffle it back into the pack. Surely nothing could be more fair than that?'
    It would be much fairer, of course, if by your subterfuge you had not placed the original top card in the ninth position from the top!
    Cut Force
    This method of forcing is bold.
    1. Place the card to be forced at the bottom of the deck and retain it there while shuffling.
    2. Square the pack, place it on the table and request someone to cut it, placing the cut to the right.
    3. Next, invite him to pick up the lower packet and place it at right angles upon the cut (figure 119).

    4. Pause for a moment, conversing or performing any action which is part of your trick, then have someone lift the upper crosswise packet and look at the card at its face, as you say, 'Please note and remember the card at which you cut.' This will be the original bottom card. So few people understand the nature of the cut that your statement will not be questioned.
    You should never repeat a force of this type for the same audience. Knowing what you will do, the spectators will analyse the action and may fathom the method.
    TRICKS WITH THE FORCE
    Justice Card Trick
    Card tricks that are performed while the magician is blindfolded make a particularly profound impression on laymen. For this reason it is a good plan to include one such trick in a routine of card tricks.
    1. Ask someone in the gathering to assist you, and when you have a volunteer place him on the left side of your table while you stand behind it. Have him shuffle the deck, and when you take it back glimpse the bottom card. Let us say it is the four of spades. Force this card on your assistant, preferably using the classic force or the one-hand force, and have him show the card to all present. Invite him to replace the card in the deck, make a short shuffle, then hand him the deck and ask him to shuffle it himself.
    2. As he does this, take a white linen handkerchief from your pocket and fold it diagonally into a blindfold about 50 mm (2 in) wide. Ask another spectator to tie the blindfold over your eyes. You will find, when you have been blindfolded in this manner, that you can see down the side of your nose and by tilting your head back a little - but not too much - and glancing downwards you can see a certain area of the table top (figure 120). You are supposed to be sightless, however, and therefore now you close your eyes, which will make your actions convincingly realistic.

    3. Keeping your eyes tightly closed, take the deck and cut it into two packets, one of which you keep in your hand. Open your eyes and, glancing downwards and holding the cards within your area of vision, deal them face upwards on the table. Count the cards as you deal and