~Double-Back Principles in Card Magic~
Contents
THE first double-backed cards put on the market were used in the trick called 'Two Card Monte', and sold by Theodore L. Deland about the year 1910. However, I have reason to believe that the principle was known to and used by Hofzinser many years ago. Deland's trick is more of a joke than a feat of magic but it opened the way for the invention of many fine tricks dependent on the use of the double-back principle.
Alice In WonderlandA DOUBLE-BACKED card is required. Have this on the top of the pack. False shuffle and cut, leaving it in that position. Allow a spectator to make a free choice of one card and note it. Cut the pack about the middle, at the same time slipping the double-backed card on top of the lower portion, and put the cut face up on the table. The act of turning the cut face up will completely cover the slip sleight. Have the chosen card put face down on top of the face-up cards, then place the other portion of the pack on top also face up. The double-back card is thus just above the chosen card. Take the pack and run over the cards backs uppermost until you come to the reversed chosen card, suppose it is the 6D. Divide the pack at that point and put the cards above it below the rest. The 6D is now on top of the pack and the next card is the double-backed one. Lift the two cards as one and turn them face down. Take off the top card, apparently the 6D, and put it in the middle. Order the 6D, to reverse itself and spread the cards, keeping the top card hidden and show a card reversed in the middle; this is the double-backed card but you call it the 6D.
Without allowing time for anyone to ask you to show its face turn the pack face down and run the cards one by one into your right hand, reversing their order. You do this to show that the cards are all backs up, really you spell the chosen card, 6D in this case, and on reaching the last letter throw the packet back on the top of the pack. Seeing that the double lift left the chosen card on the top you have thus put it in position to be spelt out. Order the card to go to that position and proceed to spell it out, turning the card on the last letter.
A false shuffle before the spelling greatly strengthens the effect.
Double-Backed Card Routine
LaneTO PRESENT this routine of five effective tricks you require:
- A double-backed card made by gluing two cards face to face.
- AC, JC with one index pip and large pip at the same end changed to S with indian ink.
- One red-backed card, say the 6H.
- Pack of blue-backed cards.
Beforehand arrange the pack with the double-backed card on top, the red-backed card next to it, faked JC anywhere in the pack and the 6H on the bottom.
To present the routine begin by taking the pack from the case, cut and force the lower portion. Take the top, bottom and any card from the middle putting them face down on the table and force the middle one, the 6H.
Assemble the pack with the double-backed card on top. Insert the 6H anywhere in the pack. Cut several times but finally cut at the double-backed card which you always find easily by its thickness.
Make a double lift and show the red-backed 6H. Insert it face up in the pack, allowing part to protrude. Push it home, order it to right itself. Spread pack, it is still face up, take it out, turn it over and show its red back, 'It's blushing for its failure.'
Toss it aside and cut double-back card to top. Cut the pack, take up the lower part and show how, by lifting two cards as one, you can make a card apparently return to the top after being put in the middle. Do this several times till the spectators understand the process (Lane says to do this) but show that it cannot be done with the card on the top. Replace the cut on top so that the double-backed card is the top card.
Have a card freely chosen, under cut for its return and square up. Card is on the double-backed card.
Riffle to double-backed card and then five or six more and cut pack at that point. Chosen card is now about six cards down from the top, with the double-backed card below it.
Feel for this card and turn all the cards above it as one, showing the chosen card. Turn the packet face down, take off the top card and put it in the middle. Again turn all cards above the double-backed card as one, again showing the chosen card. Turn packet face down, put top card in middle and continue showing that the card returns to the top until it alone is above the double-backed card. Leave it face up.
Turn the pack face up and show all the cards face up except the chosen card. Pull it out and show it back and front. Replace it face down, glide it back, draw out the double-backed card and push it into the pack. Turn the pack over and show chosen card back in same position.
Cut double-backed card to bottom. Have a card chosen and noted. Reverse the pack, take the card and insert it in the middle. Reverse the pack, run through the pack and show selected card face up.
Run over the faces of the cards and put the JS on top. On it place any red card and on that the faked JC-JS. Pass to the middle and force the JS. Have it replaced in the same position and pass to the top. Lift three as one and show the JS. Turn the three down, lift the faked card and push it in the middle, leaving the JS end protruding. Turn top red card to show that the JS really has been taken, and as final proof turn pack and show protruding end of faked card. Turn pack down, push card flush, and instantly show JS on top. By spreading the opposite end of the pack you show every card, there is no duplicate.
Cut double-backed card to bottom. Spread the pack for selection of a card. Count the cards as you push them off. Suppose the nineteenth card is taken. As the spectator notes his card, cut the eighteen cards to the bottom thus bringing them under the double-backed card. Under cut for the return of the selected card and throw the lower portion on top. Card is again nineteenth from the top. Let spectator cut several times with complete cuts, then false shuffle and cut at the double-backed card. Announce the position of the card as the nineteenth from the top. Deal and show it.
Cut the double-backed to the top. Have a card freely chosen. Cut for its return, slipping the double-backed card on top of the lower part. Slip the little finger under the card above the chosen card and make the pass. Turn over and show the top card, an indifferent card, then turn over three cards as one, bringing the double-backed card to the top and reversing the chosen card under it. Cut the cards. Have the chosen card named, and instantly spread the pack showing it face up in the middle.
Transposition ExtraordinaryREQUIRED two packs, one red-backed, the other blue, also a double-backed card, one side red the other side blue, to match the packs. The double-backed card is set, blue side up on the blue-backed pack.
Allow a spectator to take any card from the blue pack, examine it and place it face up on that pack. Suppose it is the 5D.
Hand the red pack to another spectator and have him remove the same card, 5D, from that pack and place it face out on the back.
Pick up the blue pack, make a double lift taking the 5D and the double-backed card as one. Put the pack down, take the red-backed 5D and put it face down below the two cards in the left hand. The two 5D's are now back to back, with the double-backed card between, and its backs face in opposite directions to the backs of the two cards. Turn the three cards over several times to confuse the spectators, then lift the top card off by sliding it towards you, saying, 'I will place this red card on top of this blue pack.' Lay the card, really the blue-backed 5D face up on the face-down blue pack. As the card in your left hand has a blue back showing, the spectators naturally are sure the red-backed 5D has really been put on the blue pack. The double-backed cards and the red 5D are placed face up on the back of the red pack, thus bringing the red back of the double-backed card uppermost.
Put the two 5D's face up into the packs on which they lie, being careful not to expose the backs. Order the cards to return to their respective packs and show that this extraordinary mystery has taken place. You may hand the blue pack to a spectator to verify the return of the blue card, thus both packs will have been freely handled.
Insto-Transpo
AnnemannEFFECT. Fanning a well-shuffled pack, the performer has a spectator freely select a card on the face of which the spectator's initials are written. The card is openly placed in the spectator's pocket, not quite out of sight and is not touched again until the end of the trick. Now the spectator takes the pack and fans it. The performer selects a face-down card, initials it and places it in his own pocket. Then the miracle happens. The performer takes the card from the spectator's pocket and it is found to be the performer's card with his initials on it. Then the spectator takes the card from the performer's pocket and finds that it is his own initialed card.
METHOD. On the top of the pack you have a double-backed card to match the pack. On the upper left and lower right corners of each side are light pencil dots, so that no matter how the card is placed in the pack it shows up plainly as soon as the cards are fanned. Under this card is any indifferent card on which you have beforehand written your initials. Riffle shuffle, leaving the two top cards in position.
Fan the pack and have a spectator select any card. Take it and lay it face up on the pack in your left hand, ask the person's initials and openly write them on the face of the card. With the right thumb lift three cards and turn them over as one, that is, you make a triple lift. At once push off the top card with the left thumb, take it and place it back outwards in the spectator's breast pocket without showing its face. You have thus placed the indifferent card with your initials in the spectator's pocket while his card lies below the double-backed card. Hand the pack to the spectator after making one cut. Tell him to spread the cards and you pick out the one below the double-backed card which you recognize by the dot on the corner. Hold the card with its face to yourself and name it as being the card with your own initials on it. Pretend to write your initials on it and put it in your own pocket. The trick is done. Order the change and you each take your cards from the other's pocket.
Remote Control
AnnemannTWO packs are required; one red-backed, the other blue-also a double-back card, one side red the other side blue. The red side is prepared with diachylon and the card is placed red side down on top of the blue pack. All is then ready.
Hand out both packs to be shuffled. Take them back and from the blue pack take out the double-backed card, first loosening it from the card to which it adheres, and place it, red side downwards on your right hand. Call attention to the fact that no one can possibly have any idea what card it is except yourself. Take the red-backed pack in your left hand and put both hands behind your back, saying that you will put the blue-backed card in amongst the red-backed cards so that nobody can tell just whereabouts it is. What you really do is to put the double-backed card with its red side upwards on top of the pack. Bring the pack forward and spread it face upwards on the table, that is, all except the top two or three cards. Invite a spectator to look over the faces of the row of cards, mentally select one then put his finger on it and push it out of the row, still face up. Gather up the rest of the pack and put it face down in your left hand. Pick up the selected card and lay it face up on the pack, that is, on the prepared back of the double-backed card. Quietly press it firmly and squarely so that the two adhere, then with the left thumb push them, as one card, on to the table.
Hand the pack to the spectator who initialed the blue back and ask him to take out that card. He cannot find it, there is no blue-backed card in the pack. Turn the card on the table, it is blue-backed and bears his initials. By remote control you have caused that one card to be picked from the fifty-two cards of the pack.
Initialed Card Telepathy
AnnemannEFFECT. A card is freely selected and initialed. It is returned and the pack shuffled. The spectator thinks of a number. Performer openly and slowly counts down until the spectator stops him and there is the initialed card. Performer does not know the card or the number until the finish of the trick.
METHOD. Place a double-backed card on the top of the pack. Put a light pencil dot on the upper left and lower right corners of that card on both sides so that it can be found instantly in a slightly fanned pack. Have a spectator freely select a card and initial its face. Undercut the pack, have the card replaced on the double-backed card and complete the cut. Cut several times and finally by sighting the dot cut to bring the chosen card to the top with the double-backed card below it.
Ask the spectator to think of a number below fifteen so that the effect will not be too prolonged. Now say, 'Your number is odd, isn't it?' If so you continue, 'I thought so, but-don't tell me or anyone else just what the number in your thought is.' If the answer is 'No,' say 'Well that's odd. However, don't let me or anyone else know the number you are thinking of.' You know now whether the number is odd or even which is all the information you need.
If even, with your right thumb lift the rear ends of three cards and insert the tip of the little finger. Turn the three cards as one, take off the face-up card and push it into the middle. The double-backed card is now on top, the selected card is face up below it. But if the number is odd simply leave the double-back on the top with the selected card below it.
Riffle shuffle the pack, leaving the two cards in position, and announce that the chosen card is now at the number thought of. Lift and turn three cards as one as you ask 'Are you thinking of One ?' On the negative reply take of the top faced card singly. Drop the card on the table.
Again lift three and insert tip of little finger as you ask if he is thinking of Two. If again the answer is 'No' turn the three cards, take off the top faced one and drop it on the table. When finally you get the answer 'Yes,' push off the top face-down card and it will be the initialed card. Try this out with the cards and the details will be clear but the lifting of the three cards as one requires practice.
TurnoverPLACE a double-backed card on the bottom of the pack, first reversing the card above it. Riffle shuffle the pack without disturbing the two bottom cards and being careful not to expose the face card.
Let a spectator select a card freely and note what it is. As he does so quietly turn the pack over, then cut the pack for the return of the card but in doing that slip the double-backed card from the top on to the lower half of the pack. Keep the backs of the cards to the front as you do this.
Have the card returned on top of the double-backed card and drop the right-hand portion on top. You have now only to secretly turn the pack over and the chosen card will be face up in the middle. The double-backed card will be immediately above it and if you slip this to the bottom you have the pack in readiness to repeat the feat.
Repeating Card TurnoverA PACK made up of twenty-six ordinary cards and twenty-six double-backed cards is required. Having the double-backed cards below the others, let a spectator choose any one of the ordinary cards and note it. Have it replaced in the lower half of the pack, i.e. amongst the double-backed cards. Square up the cards and secretly turn the pack over. Order the chosen card to turn over and spread almost half the cards, revealing the chosen card face up amongst apparently face-down cards. Care must be taken not to expose any part of the lower half of the pack. Remove the card and insert it in the lower half face down, i.e. amongst the ordinary cards which are face up. Again turn the pack over secretly and order the card to repeat its somersault. Spread the cards on the table with a wide sweep and once more the selected card appears face up in the face-down pack.
A Reverse Location
LarsenREQUIRED: two double-backed cards. At the start have one of these at the top, the other at the bottom. False shuffle, keeping them in position. The easiest way to do this is to riffle shuffle, keeping the cards well covered with the hands so that in bending the corners for the riffle the lower sides are not exposed. Have a card freely chosen and under cut half the cards for its return. The chosen card thus comes between the two double-backed cards. Order the two cards on each side of the chosen card to turn over. Place the pack face up on the table and spread the cards out in a line. Two cards are revealed backs uppermost with the chosen card between them.
The same effect can be obtained with only one double-backed card. Have this on the top and secretly reverse the bottom card. Undercut as above for the return of the card and finish as before. This is the better method as there is only one prepared card to get rid of, or you may leave the double-backed card in the pack for another effect by proceeding thus: take out the chosen card, slide the lower of the two reversed cards on top of the other, then turn them over together on the face-up pack. The face of the lower card will show and there will be no suspicion attached to the other card. This leaves the double-backed card on the top to be used as you may desire for another effect.
Double-Backed Card ForceTWO packs are required, one blue-backed, the other red, together with a double-backed card one side of which is red and the other blue. From the red pack take any card and place it face upwards third from the bottom of the blue pack. Under this put the card you wish to force, face downwards, and under this card any indifferent card. You now have the force card second from the bottom with a reversed card above it.
On the red pack put the double-backed card, red side upwards.
To make the force, take the blue pack and riffle shuffle it, being careful not to disturb the three bottom cards. Turn the pack face up and riffle till a spectator calls 'Stop'. Take the double-backed card from the top of the red pack, being careful not to expose its face, and insert it at this point, square the pack and cut it several times. Fan the pack face downwards. The only red back to show will be the card you previously put in the pack reversed. Show all the other cards are blue-backed and allow the spectator to remove the card under the red-backed card. The force is made. Openly remove the red-backed card and return it to the red-backed pack, showing that it is an ordinary card. The double-backed card remains in the blue pack to be used in your next trick or secretly removed, as the case may be.
ReversiTHE effect of finding a chosen card by having it reverse itself in the pack is only suitable for intimate work but the method that follows makes it effective for the stage or platform.
You require a pack made up of fifty-one double-backed cards and one ordinary card which you place on the bottom. One end of all the fifty-one cards is darkened and, in use, you keep this end always towards yourself. From an ordinary pack with the same backs you allow three cards to be freely chosen. In order that the whole audience may follow the trick, turn your back and have the three spectators hold up their cards for all to see. Take the opportunity to slip the ordinary pack in a waistcoat pocket and take out the faked pack. Keep your elbows pressed closely to your sides as you do this so that there is no visible movement of your arms to telegraph that you are doing something.
Have the cards fairly thrust into the pack in different places, letting each spectator push his card flush. Make a false shuffle since it is desirable to keep the three cards well separated. Return to the stage, holding pack in full view, and call attention to an easel on your table which has a board on it with a wide ledge so that a full pack can be stood on it safely. In the meantime you have quietly let the bottom card of the pack fall to your left palm and turned all the other cards over on it. To all appearances the pack is exactly the same but now the three chosen cards will be faced upwards and would show up if the pack were spread.
Stand the pack on the easel with its darkened edge upwards and the face of the bottom indifferent card against the board. The pack now contains fifty-five cards but standing to the rear of the easel you slowly push them off from the left- to the right-hand side of the board counting fifty-two cards only and not exposing the reversed cards. This is possible because owing to the white edges of the chosen cards showing up plainly when you come to the card before one of the chosen cards you push two cards forward as one, thus fifty-two cards are shown all with their backs outwards.
After giving the order for the three chosen cards to reverse themselves, simply push the cards forward one by one on the easel and the three cards show up, and when you come to the fifty-second card pick up the last four as one card. As each card reveals itself take it out and have it acknowledged by the person who drew it. If desired each card can be initialed by the drawer and identified at the finish.
It will be found a help if the ledge on which the cards rest is canted very slightly upwards, the minute projection of the upper ends of the cards being an assistance in removing them neatly.
Chameleon Backs
VernonFOR this clever effect you require two packs, one with red back and one with blue; also a double-backed card one side red, the other side blue. Place the double-backed card on the blue-backed pack with its blue back upwards. Both packs may be shuffled by a spectator if desired. Take the red pack and pick out any black card, put it on the table without showing its face. Fan the blue pack and cut the double-backed card to the top. Then pick out any red card, holding it in the right hand, and the pack face down in the left hand.
Pick up the red-backed card from the table and hold the two cards face down between the fingers and thumb. Show the backs, one red, one blue. Turn them face up, pushing them in opposite directions, and show a black card and a red one. Apparently the blue-backed card has a black face and the red card a red face, just the opposite to the real state of affairs. Repeat the move several times to impress the spectators. Then with the faces upward drop the black card on the floor face up, asking all to remember that it is the blue-backed card.
Drop the red card face up on top of the blue-backed pack, i.e. on top of the double-backed card. Make a double lift and turn over, showing the red back of the double-backed card, thus proving that the red-faced card really has a red back. Turn the two cards again, take off the face-up red card and drop it on the floor. Order an extraordinary change; the cards are turned over, the red card is seen to have a blue back and the black card has a red back.
Satan Behind YouSECRETE a double-backed card, to match the pack, under your belt at the back.
Have the cards shuffled by a spectator and let him cut the pack into two even packets, handing you one and retaining the other himself. To illustrate what you want him to do, place your packet behind your back, add the double-backed card from under your belt to the top and bring forward the bottom card, look at it and replace it, as you say, on the top of the other cards-really you put it reversed on the bottom of your packet. Spectator puts his packet behind his back, brings a card forward, notes what it is, puts it on top of his packet. You both bring the cards forward, and you put your packet on top of his, thus bringing the card you reversed immediately above the spectator's card. Instruct him to place the pack thus assembled, with his card buried in the middle, behind his back and to take off the top card, turn it face up and push it into the pack.
The spectator does this, brings the pack forward and puts it on the table, face down. Spread the cards, one card is reversed. Push out the card below it, have the chosen card named and turn it up. The spectator has located his card himself. The reversal of the double-backed card has no effect and seeing one card reversed the spectator naturally concludes that it is the card he turned over.
The Double Card PredictionIN ADDITION to a double-backed card you require an envelope, a slip of paper and a pencil.
Beforehand take any two cards, say AC and 2S and write their names on the slip of paper. Put this in the envelope and fasten the flap down. Place any indifferent card face up between the face-down AC and 2S and put the three cards on the top of the pack, the indifferent card being the second card and face up. Finally place the double-backed card on the top of the pack.
Begin the feat by handing the envelope to a spectator to hold. Riffle shuffle the cards, keeping the four top cards in position and covering the pack well with your hands in the action to avoid exposure of the faced card. Take off the top card, turn the pack face up, and hand the double-backed card, just removed, to a spectator, inviting him to thrust it into the pack anywhere, face down. Thrust the pack forward and have him do this quickly so that he will have no chance of turning the card over. Have him cut the pack, then turn it face down and spread it on the table. One reversed card is visible and is naturally taken to be the card just inserted by the spectator.
Let him draw out the card above and the card below the faced card, leaving them face down. Invite him to open the envelope and read your prediction. The two cards are turned and prove to be the very ones named.
Comedy ReliefTHIS use of a double-backed card is essentially one for magicians, or to squelch the person who has a smattering of magical knowledge and has been making a nuisance of himself. Casually introduce the old trick of making a chosen card turn face up on the pack by dropping the cards on the table. Then explain the trick and say that owing to its difficulty magicians do not often use it. This is simply to lead the nuisance to say he knows the trick and can do it. Hand him the pack and let him try. Much to his surprise he fails. Try as he will the card obstinately remains back up.
Before handing the pack to the 'wise guy' you bring the double-backed card to the top.
Giant Acrobatic Cards
GrantFOR this trick ten unprepared Giant cards and eight Giant double-backed cards are necessary. Set the cards alternately, an unprepared card on top, followed by a double-backed card, then an unprepared card, next a double-backed card and so on.
Begin by fanning the backs towards the spectators. The cards appear to be regular, all facing the same way. Square up the cards and deal nine in the following way: first card face up, next card back up, next card face up, and so on. The ninth card will be face up. Square up the pile, turn it over and put it face down.
Fan the remaining cards backs up, they appear to be facing the same way. Square them and place them in full view. Give the magic command, fan the first stack of nine backs up and all appear to have reversed themselves facing the one way. Pick up pile No. 2 and turning it over faces towards the audience, run them from hand to hand and every second card is face down.
Single Card ForceTHE double-backed card to be used for this force is made by simply gluing two cards of the pack face to face. If such a card is placed in the pack you can always find it by simply riffling the ends of the cards. When that card is reached there is always a distinct stop. To use it for forcing a single card, place it in the pack with the card to be forced immediately above it. Make a false shuffle, then invite a spectator to insert his forefinger into the pack as you riffle the ends. Time the action so that you push the pack forward to meet his finger just as the break at the double-backed card occurs. Let him look at, or take out, the card above his finger. This makes an easy and certain force.
The Perfect Force
H. I. ChristTHIS method may be used for one card or several.
Place a double-backed card on top of the pack and under it, face up, the card or cards to be forced; for example, to force three cards.
Riffle shuffle, leaving the four top cards in place. Put the pack on the outstretched left hand of the spectator and ask him to cut the pack with his right hand. Take the portion he cuts from him, turn it face up and drop it on top of the remainder of the cards on his left hand, saying as you do so, 'We will mark the cut in this manner. Hold the cards tightly for a moment until we are ready to see what cards you have selected,' or any other remark to suit the trick in hand.
Let the spectator remove the face-up cards and take off the three cards from the top of the face-down packet. These are the three cards that were reversed under the double-backed card. The next will be the double-backed card which can be easily disposed of, or ready to use again as your trick may require.
Double-Back Card ForceIT IS A very easy matter to force two cards by the use of a double-backed card.
Beforehand put any indifferent card face up between the two cards to be forced and place the three cards together in the middle. The double-backer you have on the top.
To force the two cards, make a false shuffle, leaving the cards undisturbed. Take off the top card, the double-backed one, hand it to a spectator and have him push it into the middle of the pack which you turn face up. Push the card quite flush, turn the pack face down and spread it on the table. One card shows up reversed; it is the indifferent card you had secretly reversed beforehand, but the spectator naturally thinks it is the card he just pushed in. He draws out the face-down cards above and below it and you have forced them in an innocent and apparently straightforward manner.
Easy Coin SwitchTHERE are several good card tricks which depend on the exchange of the borrowed coin for one of the performer's own. The use of a double-backed card affords an easy, natural way for doing this. Have such a card, with a duplicate coin under it in such a position that you can pick up both with your thumb on top and fingers underneath supporting the coin. Receive the coin on the card and in turning to your table simply turn the card over, securing the borrowed coin with the tip of your thumb. Let the duplicate coin slide off the top of the card into a glass as you call attention to the fact that you do not even touch it.
You can then dispose of the borrowed coin in any way you wish.
The Sympathetic Card
Jess KellyTWO packs of cards are shown. One pack red-backed and the other pack blue-backed.
Performer picks up the red-backed pack and removes one-card from the blue-backed pack and explains that generally when a red-back card comes in contact with a blue-back pack it naturally changes color. The blue-back card is rubbed on the red-back pack and laid face down. When this card is picked up it is now found that the back really has changed color, from blue to red.
A red and blue double-back card is required for this effect. This card is on the top of the blue-backed pack with the blue side face up. Underneath this card is a red-back card. These two cards are picked up and shown as one and then placed face up upon top of the red-back pack which is held in the left hand. Now the face-up top card is slid off on table (face up) leaving the double-back card on the red-back pack. On picking up the card on the table and turning it over, it is found to be red-backed.