I was experimenting with the “cut deeper” method that I wrote about here and came up with a variation. This version has a cleaner ending but requires a bit more effort.
Setup
You’ll need a card with a reversed breather crimp—a card that allows you to cut to it, positioning it as the bottom card of the cut-off portion.
Here’s how to set up the deck:
- Place two aces about a quarter of the way down.
- Put the breather crimp on top of those aces.
- The rest of the deck follows.
- The other two aces start on top of the deck.
Performance
- Bring out the deck and perform a false shuffle or cut.
- Explain that the spectator will select four random cards using an unusual cutting technique.
- Demonstrate the technique:
- Cut to the breather crimp.
- Lift off that portion of the deck.
- Turn it over.
- Replace it back on top.
- Now, have the spectator cut deeper, below the face-up cards.
- They then turn over the portion they cut and place it back on top of the deck.
The Reveal
At this point, where the cards meet back-to-back, there are:
- Two face-down aces
- Two face-up aces
Since face-up aces are visible, you can’t simply spread the deck to locate the back-to-back break. However, a natural break forms there.
Finding the Aces
- Pick up the deck and lift the cards at the natural break.
- Use your left thumb to thumb off the first face-down card (an ace).
- Set the deck down and have the spectator cut again.
- Pick up the deck and repeat the process, thumbing off the second ace.
- Repeat a third time, leaving three face-down aces on the table.
For the final ace:
- After the spectator’s cut, spread the deck on the table.
- Show the back-to-back break.
- Pull out the first face-down card and add it to the other three.
The Finale
Close the deck, then dramatically turn over the four face-down cards to reveal that the spectator has successfully cut to all four aces! I would be surprised if this has not be published somewhere before. Let me know if it has.