We've taught you how to scam, swindle, and steal... but we have yet to give you any actual talent. That all changes in this episode. We're going to teach you not only how to control a card to the bottom of the deck, but how to use that talent for a sweet little card trick.
Part 1: The control to the bottom
If you know how to overhand shuffle, you know that part of the shuffle includes pulling a few cards off the top of the deck over and over again. To control a card from the top of the deck to the bottom, just make sure you peel only ONE card off the top. After that, shuffle as normal, and by the time you've run through the deck, your card will be on the bottom.
Part 2: Keeping the card at the bottom
When you begin your second round of shuffling, pinch the top and bottom cards of the deck, as you pull out the brick of cards from the middle. If executed correctly, this will allow you to pull out almost all the cards of the deck, leaving only the top and bottom cards in your left hand. Most importantly, as you continue to shuffle, the bottom card will remain on the bottom of the deck. Keep repeating this part as often as you like.
Part 3: The Reveal
So you've got the mark's card on the bottom of the deck. Now the trick is to reveal it in a surprising manner: Holding the cards in your hand, ask the mark to cut off as many cards as they like and place them on the table. To "mark" their cut, lay the leftover cards from your hand "cross-ways" over these cards, forming an "X". At this point, the controlled card (the one that was on the bottom of the deck) will be on the bottom of the upper pack of cards. Take a few seconds to recap how you got there (time delay is important), then turn over the top packet of cards to reveal their card. (Remember, the time delay is important to make the mark forget which pack of cards came from where).
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Posted by speed on 10/21/2008 at 05:03:27 pm in Scam School
My question to Brian: I've done this on a few people, and mostly had a good effect, unfortunately, I tried this on some people at work (damn retail jobs are full of immature 15 year olds) and they do nothing but try to figure it out and usually they end up saying "you did a bad shuffle" or "you moved my card to the bottom of the deck" or something like that. How do you deal with them?
I had one idiot try to tell me to do a bunch of different shuffles (does he not understand how card tricks work?) and I just told him that trick time was over.
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Posted by RickXTN on 10/21/2008 at 04:47:48 pm in Scam School
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GREAT idea! I'll have to do this and add it in. In this way, too, it adds a variable so if someone you did the trick to is watching there's a slightly different outcome yet still amazing.
In response to an earlier poster, I did have a friend who made a cut doing the opposite... MOST of the stack was cut off of the top. I worked the delay without making it too stupid or lengthy and he was amazed. It's crazy how tricks that are so simple (and painfully obvious when you know them) fool people. LOL
Oh, I almost forgot that since I'm not great with an overhand shuffle (when doing it quickly) I sometimes lose a couple of cards (but not the bottom card) I just make it part of the trick. If it happens, I keep on going but make mention that I may have just screwed this all up. I think that possibly adds to the effect. :-)
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Posted by charon79m on 10/17/2008 at 05:42:00 pm in Scam School
I did this card trick a few times for my wife with some good, "How'd you do that?!?!" action. Then I figured I'd control the card back to the top and show her how she missed cutting to her card by one. That got a very good reaction.
The process to control it back to the top was to do the same shuffle but hold off dropping the back card until all the other cards have been dropped. You've got to be quick with the shuffle so it isn't obvious. Once it's on the top, when the cut is done and the bottom card is set on top the target card will be on top of the bottom stack.
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Posted by shwooddotcom on 10/13/2008 at 07:59:07 pm in Scam School
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LOL... first off, kudos on "MS Paint FTW!"
I think you called it just right. It's amazing to me: if you just delay long enough, people forget.
Note, however, that if you're performing for a large group, you increase the chances of getting busted in a situation like this (more eagle eyes = more trouble). In this case, I'd make sure to put your volunteer "on the spot" by giving specific directions (e.g. "Cut these cards as close to the middle as you possibly can"). If there's an audience watching, they'll be much more inclined to follow your directions.
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Posted by astx813 on 10/13/2008 at 02:58:07 pm in Scam School
I kinda thought of this as I watched the trick. But I thought to myself, self, only you're the kind of jerk who would think like that. Nope, I guess not. First guy I pulled this on gave me the thin cut. And you know what's great? I still managed to delay the reveal long enough that he STILL didn't catch on. First thing out of his mouth was "dude, how the hell?" (and for the record, he was stone sober, this was at work) Not really sure how I would have handled this if my first thought hadn't been "Hmmm, he can be pretty dense, I might still pull this off." What would you have done, Brian?
*link*
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Posted by crazyindy on 10/12/2008 at 09:49:44 pm in Scam School
i was wondering if anyone knows where to get brian's shirt
me and my friends play a lot of poker and i do a lot of card tricks so i definitely think it would be awesome to wear
thanks
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Posted by rabidbadger on 10/11/2008 at 07:53:53 am in Scam School
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either way - i liked this episode because of how you added things to it - having them go out n try it - showing the mess ups - the episode being longer made it better..."
Yeah, I swear, if he keeps doing everything I suggest I should start getting a cut of the ad revenue. :D
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Posted by rocka89 on 10/10/2008 at 01:35:35 am in Scam School
Haha, I am pretty sure Brian covered the first DVD in "The Royal Road to Card Magic" in this short video. =P
Sadly only he will get that joke...and even he won't think it's funny.
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Posted by hogiewan on 10/09/2008 at 08:30:03 pm in Scam School
I definitely liked this one. The episode was fun to watch, and I have a new skill to practice. The trick is pretty good as well.
This trick looks like a great setup for the key card trick. You already have the deck out and have done a trick that worked (hopefully), and the key card is set up to make people think you are going to get it wrong. So after you've shown one slick trick, they'll be glad to bet you a drink to take you down a peg.
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Posted by eminemdrdre00 on 10/09/2008 at 05:37:00 pm in Scam School
Awesome episode! I love the magic trick episodes, especially the card tricks! Keep them coming!
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