{"id":7399,"date":"2025-09-16T18:03:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T18:03:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/?p=7399"},"modified":"2026-01-27T22:27:05","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T22:27:05","slug":"the-last-trick-of-dr-daley-extended","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/the-last-trick-of-dr-daley-extended\/","title":{"rendered":"The Last Trick of Dr. Daley extended."},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"\">While teaching a student the Elmsley count as a setup for &#8220;The Last Trick of Dr. Daley,&#8221; I made an interesting mathematical observation. Starting with the four aces in Black, Black, Red, Red order (face down), the Elmsley count creates a predictable cycle:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>First count<\/strong>: B,B,R,R \u2192 B,R,B,R<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Second count<\/strong>: B,R,B,R \u2192 B,R,R,B<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Third count<\/strong>: B,R,R,B \u2192 B,B,R,R (back to start)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">This three-count cycle became the foundation for a routine that provides for a two phase Daley effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Effect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Phase One: The Cycle of Confusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The performer displays the four aces and arranges them in Black, Black, Red, Red order before turning them face down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">&#8220;I am only using four aces&#8221; the performer says, executing an Elmsley count while stating, &#8220;Black, black, red, red.&#8221; During the count, the third card is slightly injogged. &#8220;The red aces should now be on top.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Using the injog as a guide, the performer turns over a double card, revealing a red ace as predicted. The double is flipped face down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">A second Elmsley count follows, this time with the performer saying, &#8220;Red, red, black, black.&#8221; The top card is turned over to reveal a black ace. &#8220;The black aces are back on top.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The third count begins: &#8220;Black, black, red, red&#8230;&#8221; The top two cards, after the count, are dealt face down to the table, as you say &#8220;lets place the red aces here&#8221;.    Make a magical gesture and show that the aces have transposed.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Phase Two: The Transposition<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">&#8220;Let me try that again.&#8221; The performer picks up all the aces and shows them in Black, Black, Red, Red order.  Then executes another Elmsley count, then performs the classic Daley handling &#8211; using carefully timed double turnovers to apparently show and then deal away the red aces, while secretly retaining them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">&#8220;Something magical should have happened. Let&#8217;s see&#8230;&#8221; The performer reveals that the  aces on the table are actually the two black aces, while the red aces have remained in hand &#8211; a complete transposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Method<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Configuraci\u00f3n<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Begin with the aces in B,B,R,R order from top to bottom, face down.  Display them to the audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Phase One Handling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><strong>First Elmsley Count:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Execute standard Elmsley count, verbalizing &#8220;Black, black, red, red&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">During the count, injog the third card slightly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Complete the count (cards are now in B,R,B,R order)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Use the injog to turn over a double card, showing the red ace<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Flip the double face down onto the packet<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Second Elmsley Count:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Execute another Elmsley count, saying &#8220;Red, red, black, black&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Cards are now in B,R,R,B order<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Turn over the bottom card to show a black ace<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Replace it face down<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Third Elmsley Count:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Begin the count saying &#8220;Black, black, red, red&#8230;&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Complete the count (cards return to B,B,R,R order)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Deal the top two cards (actually the black aces) face down to the table<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Make a magical gesture or incantation and show the aces have transposed<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Phase Two Handling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Pick up all the aces, in Black, black, red, red order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Setup Count<\/strong>: Execute an Elmsley count, injogging the third card.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>First Daley Move<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Turn over the top card showing a red ace, but really doing a double turn over.  How you do the double turnover is important.  Get a break using the injog.  Grasp the double in a biddle grip with your right hand, third finger at the upper right and thumb at the lower right.  Pull the double to the right and using your left thumb as a fulcrum flip the double face up, maintaining the thumb break.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Flip it face down using the same rotation motion and deal it to the table (audience believes this is a red ace, but it&#8217;s actually a black ace from your earlier setup)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Second Daley Move<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Using the same turning motion, use your left thumb to hold the top card as your right fingers pull a double from the bottom in the same Biddle grip.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Rotate this double face up on top of the packet, showing a red ace<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Flip the double face down and deal the top card onto the first tabled card<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>The Revelation<\/strong>: Make the magic gesture or incantation again. The two tabled cards are revealed to be the black aces, while the red aces are shown to have remained in your hands<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Credits and Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">This routine builds upon Jacob Daley&#8217;s classic &#8220;The Last Trick of Dr. Daley&#8221; and Alex Elmsley&#8217;s false count. The mathematical observation about the three-count cycle and its application as a lead-in represents a new approach to structuring these classic effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The key to performance is the genuine confusion displayed during the third count. This isn&#8217;t about challenging the audience&#8217;s intelligence, but rather sharing a moment of puzzlement that makes them feel like collaborators in solving the mystery &#8211; right before revealing they&#8217;ve been completely misdirected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Difficulty<\/strong>: Intermediate (requires smooth Elmsley count and confident double turnovers)<br><strong>Reset<\/strong>: Immediate<br><strong>Angle Considerations<\/strong>: Standard for Elmsley count applications<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">I would be surprised if this three count Elmley effect has not already be published.  It can stand on its own.  When I perform it stand alone, I explain that numbers are interesting.  One is Unity,  Two is duality, and Three is the first proper Prime.   So counting the cards once, simply reverses their order, and red aces move to the top.  Counting twice uses the power of Duality to put things back, and Blacks are on top.  But Primes are unusual.  Counting three times should put the red aces back on top,  but&#8230;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">If you want to beat a dead horse&#8230;. you can set the black aces on top again, and do an Elmsley count, saying &#8220;black, black, red, red&#8221;.  Then deal the top card face up showing it changed to black, and immediately do a second deal to show the &#8220;second&#8221; card was also black.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Jon Rachenbaumer published a nice version in &#8220;And Interludes&#8221;.  Here is an outline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Preparation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Order (face-up):<\/strong> AD (bottom), AH, AC, AS (top).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Phase 1:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Fan the Aces face-up to show them. Flip them back face-down.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Verify:<\/strong> Thumb over top two cards (Black Aces) to show them. Square and replace.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Perform a slow <strong>Elmsley Count<\/strong>, claiming to reverse the order.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Thumb over the top card (AS), then buckle the bottom card and flip a double to show the AC underneath.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Use the AS to flip the &#8220;double&#8221; face-down, then place AS on top. This shows the black aces have jumped back to the top.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Spread the cards as two pairs; move the right-hand pair (AS\/AD) to the bottom. The audience believes those are the black aces.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Phase 2: <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"7\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Thumb over AC, Double Push-off  and flip the double to show AS.  The black aces have jumped back to the top<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Flip the AS double face-down. Table the top card (<strong>A<\/strong>H), calling it the &#8220;Ace of Spades.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Place the AC face-down on the remaining cards. Buckle the bottom card and take the top two cards as one and place them to the bottom.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"> Perform <strong>Double Turnovers<\/strong> to show the AC repeatedly returning to the top.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Perform a Double Turnover, then deal the top card (<strong>AH<\/strong>) onto the table, calling it the &#8220;other black Ace.&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Phase 3:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"12\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Hold the remaining two cards (Black Aces). Peek at the top card, miscalling it as the Ace of Hearts. Move it to the bottom.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Ask the spectator where the Ace of Hearts is.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Flip the tabled cards to show the <strong>Red Aces<\/strong>. Flip your hand to show the <strong>Black Aces<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While teaching a student the Elmsley count as a setup for &#8220;The Last Trick of Dr. Daley,&#8221; I made an interesting mathematical observation. Starting with the four aces in Black, Black, Red, Red order (face down), the Elmsley count creates a predictable cycle: This three-count cycle became the foundation for a routine that provides for &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/the-last-trick-of-dr-daley-extended\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continuar leyendo<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;The Last Trick of Dr. Daley extended.&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[140,7,142],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7399","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ace-trick","category-magic","category-tricks"],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"Bob","author_link":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/author\/admin\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7399","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7399"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7399\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7714,"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7399\/revisions\/7714"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7399"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7399"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7399"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}