A brilliant method for locating any named card using mathematical principles from Revolutionary Card Technique
The Setup
This effect begins with what appears to be a completely fair procedure but relies on a clever mathematical principle that ensures the selected card ends up exactly where you need it to be.
Initial Preparation
- Have the spectator shuffle the deck thoroughly and name any card they wish
- Perform a “Faro check” to spot what card is currently at the 26th position from the top
- Hold the deck facing toward you and begin spreading through the cards
Getting the Named Card to Position 26
At this time you should be acting as if the trick hasn’t started yet., Be nonchalant, perhaps asking if the spectator would like to see some weird coincidence. Be relaxed as you do this,
Scenario A: You find the named card before reaching position 26
- Cull the named card under the spread as you continue
- When you reach the 26th card, insert the culled named card directly behind it
- The named card is now at position 26
Scenario B: You don’t find the named card before position 26
- Cut the deck at the 26th card, making note of the bottom card of the cut portion
- This bottom card becomes the new 26th card from the top
- Start spreading again from the beginning
- Find the named card and cull it to position 26 using the method from Scenario A
The Performance
Now that the named card is secretly positioned at the 26th spot, you’re ready for the impressive revelation:
Step 1: The Cuts
- Have a few cards cut off from the top of the deck and placed to the right
- Have a few cards cut off from the bottom of the deck and placed to the left
- You now have three packets: bottom pile (left), center pile (middle), top pile (right). Note that the only requirement is that the center pile has at least 26 cards.
Step 2: Build the Impossibility
Point out the key elements that make this seem impossible:
- You couldn’t possibly know how many cards were in the two cut-off packets
- You could guess, but you wouldn’t be sure
- Furthermore, you’ll give them a completely free choice of either packet
Step 3A: If the Bottom Packet is Chosen
- Pick up the center packet y turn it face up
- Thumb through it counting up to 26, then cut the packet at this point
- The selection is now the same number of cards from the top of the deck as there are cards in the chosen packet
Step 3B: If the Top Packet is Chosen
- Pick up the center packet for an Overhand Shuffle
- Run off the cards (reversing their order) until you reach 25
- Injog the 26th card and shuffle off the rest
- Undercut to the injog and throw on top
- The selection is now at the position designated by the number of cards in the top packet
The Climax
- Count the chosen packet to determine the number
- Use that exact number to count down into the center packet
- The chosen card is dramatically revealed at precisely that position!
Performance Tips
- Practice the culling until it’s invisible – this is the only sleight required
- Emphasize the free choices the spectator makes throughout
- Build suspense during the final count – let the impossibility sink in
- Present it as mind reading rather than a mathematical calculation
The Marlo Touch
This effect showcases Ed Marlo’s genius for taking mathematical principles and wrapping them in practical, performable routines. Note that you could also have used Marlo’s Automatic Placement technique to have a card selected, which automatically puts their selection at position 26.
The spectator’s choices genuinely don’t matter – the math ensures success every time. Yet from their perspective, they shuffled the deck, named any card, made all the cuts, and chose which packet to use. It’s a perfect example of how mathematical principles can create the strongest magic when properly applied.
Afterthoughts
You can simplify the effect by positioning the named card and then only having some cards cut off the top of the deck. Proceed with the steps for that case and the card will be discovered at the number indicated by the cut of cards.
This method appears in Ed Marlo’s Revolutionary Card Technique, one of the most important texts in card magic literature.