Fool's Gold

Effect: Spectator selects a card from among 49 lying on the table, and the magician is able to find it. And even bet some Fool's Gold on it.

Card Trick:
No preparation necessary. From a deck of cards (without the jokers) have a spectator select any three cards. Throw these aside while explaining "Those three cards aren't going to be used."  Deal the remaining 49 cards face up in seven rows of seven cards. Overlap the cards in each column so they're all visible and can be slid together without disarranging their order. Deal quickly so the audience knows you aren't memorizing them. Have the spectator mentally select one of the cards and show you which column it's in. Scoop up the column it up, taking care not to disturb the order of the cards. Then scoop up the other columns, keeping the mystery column in the middle of the group (column, column, column, mystery-card column, column, column, column). Again do this quickly so that there is no time for memorization. Deal the cards again in seven rows of seven cards and again ask which column the mystery card is in.  No matter which column is selected, you will know that the mystery card is the middle (4th) card in that column. You can glance at the middle card of the picked column as you scoop it up, again being careful not to disturb the order of the cards and picking up the mystery-card column so that it is the middle column.

 
Fool's Gold ending: Start dealing the cards face up, scattering them on the table. The 25th card will be the mystery card, but continue past it for about four more cards. I make it look as though I've completely screwed up the trick. I then challenge the spectator : "I'll bet you 500 pounds of Fool's Gold that the next card I turn over is the one you chose." Since the mystery card is already lying face up on the table, most people will jump at the bet and may even bet real money. Then reach into the mess on the table and turn the mystery card face down. A guaranteed jaw dropper.

Ending variations:
1. Just turn over 24 cards, then issue the fools gold challenge. The 25th card will be the mystery one.
2. After the second deal, the mystery column can be picked up first (mystery column, column, column, column, column, column, column), second or third. If the mystery column is first, count three cards off deck and the fourth card will be the mystery card. If it's second, show the 11th card; if it's third, show the 18th card.
3. After the second deal, pick up the mystery-card column first (so that it's is on top of the deck). Put the deck behind your back and take the first three cards off the top of the deck and place them on the bottom. Take the mystery card and flip it over, face up, and insert into middle of the deck. Then bring out the deck, place it on the table, and tap your finger on deck, saying, "Roll over, roll over, red-rover, roll over." Then pass the deck to the spectator and tell him (or her) that his card should be easy to find. The mystery-card has flipped over in the middle of the deck, to his astonishment.

    Tivo

Packet Book Test

EFFECT: A magician lays out 10 different packets and a book.The spectator picks a coin and a packet. Inside the packet is a page number. The magician turns to that page and finds the spectator's coin!!

EQUIPMENT: 10 small packets ( Coin packages are okay), 10 slips of paper, a book (large if possible) and 1 nickel.

PREPARATION: Stick the nickel in a page in the book. Prepare ten slips of paper saying," If you want your coin, turn to page ****." (Fill in your own page). Stick one piece of paper in every packet.

Here is an explanation of what to do for each coin.

Quarter: Say, "Okay, five nickels in a quarter. There are five pennies in a nickel, so let's use 5. That means nickel.
Dime: "There are two nickels in a dime, so let's use a nickel."
Nickel: Say, "Okay, we'll use that."
Penny: Say, "Well, that's too small. Let's use a nickel."

PERFORMANCE: Ask them to pick a coin. Use the method above to get the final coin, the nickel. Ask them to pick a packet. Have them tear it open and find the page number. Then turn to that number to find a nickel!!

Note: Dispose of the packets carefully.

Adam Kosberg

Salt and Pepper

by Mike George

What you need:

This effect is excellent for table hopping!

Can also be very effective on the palms of two hands. After putting cards on top two palms, have spectator cross their hands over and under each other. Then reveal how they switch. This is especially effective if using two different people's hands.

Here's a little gem from F.Garcia

Preparation: Take a Bicycle brand card case , remove the cards, then take a razor blade and on the back
make a slit approx. 1 1/2 " down from the top. Right across the" angels" knees is perfect. This slit should go all the way across the width of the box.

Performance: Bring the deck out and perform your routines or go into this one. Have a card selected , memorized then replaced back into the deck. Control it back to the top. Tell your audience, to rule out any possobility of sleight of hand you'll put the cards in the case. As you do this, your left thumb in-jogs the top card (their selection) slightly towards you. Your right hand holds the card box, backs up, towards yourself.  As you put the cards into the case , your (R) thumb pushes down below the slit opening it up just slightly. The left hand puts the cards in the case with the selection going through the slit. Close the flap. Place your (R) middle finger along the slit, hiding it as you show the case, front and back. The cards are locked securely inside. (This is a really clean show.)  Don't spend alot of time proving it , just show front and back.
Now tell the spectator to place a hand FACE up onto the table. When they do, say, "Think of your card.... and WATCH." Hold the case, slit down, by its sides, flap towards your palm. Move your hand with the case slowly in a clockwise direction, just litely touching their palm saying,  "ONE." Do this again for the count of "TWO." Then on "THREE" push the pack down onto their palm as you move clockwise and their selection will be face up on their hand staring at them!!.
Practice this on your own palm to get the proper feel for the pressure.

  This is one they'll remember!!

Slusher