This is a prediction effect using a feature of some Bicycle Brand playing card decks. The decks that I purchase have two ways of showing a “prediction”. One of the advertising cards shows the King of Spades and the box show the Ten of Hearts. What follows is one way I use this as a prediction.
Effect:
Remove the cards from the card box and place the box on the table with the Ten of Hearts side down. Have the spectator shuffle the deck. Take the deck back and spread it face up between your hands to show the mixed condition. Look for the Ten of Hearts. You want to cut the deck so the Ten of Hearts is sixth from the top. You now need to move it to the 21rst position from the top. The way I do it is to perform two Out-Faro shuffles. (Check out the faro shuffle simulator to see how this works.)
Set the deck down and ask the spectator to cut a small block off, something less than a quarter of the deck. Now deal 20 cards down in a row, each card slightly overlapping the previous. You are performing the 21 Card force from Frank Garcia’s Million Dollar Card Secrets. Ask the spectator to count the cards they cut off, which, you comment, is a unknown random number. Counting down (from the top) from the cards you dealt, count to the card at that number. That will be the force card. I leave the card where it is, but turn it face up, out-jogged as I close the spread of cards. Position the card so it matches the picture on the card box.
I patter about the reason that most magicians use Bicycle Brand cards, the reason being the the U.S. Playing Card company has psychic powers as I turn the box over to show the “prediction”
Obviously you can use other techniques to get the Ten of Hearts to the correct position. You could use an overhand shuffle to add the correct number of cards needed to place it.
If doing Faro shuffles you don’t need to cut the deck exactly in half. If you cut less than half shuffle the top portion into the lower portion and then keep a break above the original top card as you square up the deck. Double cut to the break and you are ready for the second Faro.