Here are two techniques for controlling a spectator’s selected card to the 27th position in the deck, based on ideas from Ed Marlo.
Method One: The Split-Deck Control
Begin by performing a faro check, then split the deck into two halves of exactly 26 cards each. The spectator shouldn’t be aware these packets are precisely equal.
Have the spectator shuffle each 26-card packet separately, then ask them to choose which packet they’d like to select a card from. Pick up the other packet.
Ask the spectator to cut off some cards from their packet and place this cut-off portion to the side. Have them look at and remember the card now on top of the cards they’re still holding—this is their selection.
Ask the spectator to cut off some cards from the packet you’re holding and place those on top of their selection, burying it. Have them place all the cards they’re now holding on top of the cards they initially set aside.
Pick up all of these cards and place them on top of the remaining cards in your hand, maintaining a small finger break between the two sections.
Cut or double-cut the cards below your break to the top of the deck. The spectator’s card is now at position 27.
Method Two: The Dribble Control
Secretly spot and remember the card at the 26th position from the top of the deck.
Slowly dribble cards face-down onto the table, asking the spectator to say “stop” at any time. Ensure they stop before you reach the 26th card.
Once they say stop, ask them to pick up the dribbled cards and mix them up. While they’re mixing, mime a cutting action with your cards as if you’re about to shuffle, but instead riffle to your spotted card (originally at position 26) and take a break below it.
When the spectator finishes mixing, have them look at the top card of their packet—this becomes their selection.
Tell them to cut a small packet off the top of the cards you’re holding and place those on top of their selection.
Cut your cards at the break and have the spectator place their entire packet between these two halves. The selection is now at position 27 from the top.