Harry Lorayne told a story in an interview on Reel Magic Magazine about how astonishing it was to lay people when he did effects that were just purely demonstrations of his legitimate ability to memorize a deck of cards right there on the spot.

If you’re reading this book, you are trying to “move” your audience. Move them to tears, move them to laughter, move them to surprise, move them to astonishment. All roads lead to astonishment if you have the right trail guide. That’s your job. A well timed line or joke or call back or comment can move people along the path.

It lets people in. What follows is an idea that probably was invented by Moses, but it makes for a fun moment. It can either be looked at as a throw away joke (which is totally a legitimate view) or it can be seen as a fun bonding moment with your audience, or it can be used as an inline to something much more powerful which is one of the ways I prefer.

The idea is a simple joke:

Magi: I can memorize a deck of cards in 5 seconds.

[Have someone shuffle. Then quickly glance through the cards]

Magi: Done. I’ve memorized every card in the deck.

Then simply start naming every card in the deck ( “ace of clubs, 2 of clubs, 3 of clubs, etc.).

Keep going until you get a laugh.

You can end there. Or . . .

You can use the quick glance through the deck to spot a particular card and/or its position for an upcoming effect.

You could also follow up with a “real” memory demonstration either by using one of the many pseudo-memory effects in print or by really doing it (if you’re that good).

It can be used to glimpse a key card and a million other things.

However, my favorite is to go right from this into my effect Spectral Chill. In that effect, you need to know the ninth card from the bottom of the deck, and the premise of the effect is that the cards keep track of themselves and they always know the location of other cards.

Right after doing the gag of naming a bunch of cards, stop and say, “Ok. I can’t really memorize the order, but the cards themselves can. Let me show you what I mean.” Then go right into Spectral Chill.

If ever there was an effect that meets the standard of the title of this book, of everything I’ve created, Spectral Chill has to be in the top 5 maybe even number one. It’s a moment of pure chilling astonishment. This silly little mock memory demo is an excellent lead in to such a chilly effect.

The post Memorize a Full Deck of Cards appeared first on Stone Cold Magic Magazine.

Larry Hass Reviews Stone Frixion Fire

At this point, you’re probably aware (since I announced it in a separate email) that Larry Hass, Ph.D. gave a glowing review of my Frixion book. You can view that review by clicking on the video icon. In honor of his glowing review I’m offering a 33% discount on the e-book that expires this Wednesday (9/14/11). Check it out here: Stone Frixion Fire

The post Glowing Review by Dean of McBride School of Magic and Mystery appeared first on Stone Cold Magic Magazine.

After working a walk around gig for a spell, you walk up to someone while holding a pack of cards (out of the card case).

“Hello sir, how are you doing today? Can I show you something amazing?”

He delightfully agrees.

“All we need to do is spread through this pack” (spread it face down) “and a card turns over”, (ace of diamonds).

The ace is seen to be placed back in the pack face down.

“If I place that card back into the pack, all it takes is a moment and the Ace of Diamonds turns face up once again.”

The pack is spread again to show the ace has turned over once again.

“I know this is blowing your mind isn’t it? So let’s try it one more time.”

The card is clearly placed back into the pack face down, the pack is even spread face down to show NO card is face up yet.

“Once again all we need to do is give your card a moment and it will turn around.”

Pause for a moment.

“And there it is your card has instantly turned over right before your very eyes.”

At this moment the ace visually seems to pop right out of the pack (face up). The card is removed from the pack face up.

“Isn’t that amazing, your card has turned over 3 times?”

The spectator states that he didn’t even pick a card, so how is that his card.

“What? This isn’t your card?”

“No” says the spectator.

“This isn’t your card? Hmmmm, very strange, but this has to be your card, because . . . “

As this is said, the ace is now turned over to reveal the spectators actual name written across its back.

“Your name has been written on the back. Please keep this card as a souvenir. Thank you for helping me with this magical moment.”

The Workings:

Obviously, before hand you must learn the name of your spectator and in my opinion only the first name needs to be written.

• There are many ways of learning a spectators name through casual conversation.
• If you are doing a very important gig for a special client, it may be in your best interest to simply ask the individual who has hired you for some details about the particular event. Ask for a few of the names of the individuals who are in charge for your own professional reference.
• In this modern age, you can “Google” the target individuals name to find out some additional information which may or may not assist you. Chances are you will be able to come up with either their name, a nickname, or the name of someone who is close to them. Use your common sense and respect when choosing and including the name you finally decide on.

Write the name across the back of a preferably red card (writing shows up better on red backed cards). Write the name down the center; if it is a bicycle pack keep the name inside of the rectangle found on the back of bicycle cards (where the angels are sitting upon their bicycles).

• This reason for this is to keep the name hidden from view, while spreading the pack. Ideally you could perform a regular card effect before moving into “Unpicked” being careful NOT to reveal the name card.

Once you are ready to perform this effect, secretly turn the “named card” face up in the middle of the deck. A Braue Reversal will do the trick.

Step One:

Be sure that you have written the correct name of the spectator in question.

The best way to do this would be to ask them their name after your approach. I would recommend that you ask the names of everyone else who might be amongst the group, and do try to remember the names.

• This may be common sense but then again it could also be seen as sage advice.

Proceed with the patter, as stated in the effect section. Be sure to state after the first spread, “Watch as A card turns face up” “A card”. Stating this will distance the first phase from the last.

After you remove the card (face up), simply turn the rest of the pack (face up). Place the “named card” on top of the pack (face up).

Check point:

• You are now holding the pack in left hand dealers grip, face up with the “named card” face up on the face of the pack (figure 1).

Execute a “Braue Reversal” of the top “named card” and either cut the pack so the “named card” will be in the middle face up, OR while doing the “Braue Reverse”- on the second cut, simply reverse the second half underneath the pack.

• Explaining the Braue Reversal is beyond the scope of this book. For details on the move, check out “Counts Cuts Moves and Subtlety” by Jerry Mentzer. Or please find this move amongst Daryl’s “Encyclopedia of Card Sleights” videos/DVDs, or even “Card College” by Roberto Giobbi.

Step Two:

Spread the pack face down again after pausing for a moment.

• I prefer to use a pause instead of a snap or a blow. If you design some script to create a laugh, this would work even better as to create build up and drama inside of this effect. At this point, instead of using the “A card” script, I suggest using “The Ace of Diamonds has turned face up.”
• By stating “A card” in the first phase followed by “The Ace of Diamonds” in this second phase will in my opinion, create steps leading from total disconnection/mediocre trick leading into a little miracle.

Recap:

• The pack was spread and “A card” turned face up (wow big deal) is what you expect your spectator to think.
• The card is lost back in the pack, and then spread face up again, and “The Ace of Diamonds” turns face up. (Ok that was a little bit better because I just watched you put that card back in the pack) is what you expect the spectator to be thinking this time.
• The goal now is to have the “Ace of Diamonds” embedded in your spectator’s minds, and also to build up the expectation of the card turning over once again.

Step Three (final step):

Now this will be the most difficult step to execute.

As in the second step, remove the “name card” and turn the rest of the pack (face up) in your left hand.

“The ace of diamonds has turned face up again”

Place the “name card” on top of the pack again (face up) and perform Dai Vernon’s Depth Illusion (also mistakenly known as Marlo’s Tilt Move)

Without going into great detail for the Depth Illusion it is simply pulling up the top two face up cards and holding a fairly large break below. Take the “name card” or “Ace of Diamonds” from the top of the pack and place it underneath the tilted card.

The illusion is that you are placing the card into the middle of the pack, but in actuality “it” is going right underneath the top card.

Allow the pack to square up, and turn it face down.

• Obviously you don’t really need to do the “Tilt Move” because you can use your favorite method for controlling the “named card” to the (face down) bottom.
• From the (face up) start point, you may actually use a “Hindu Shuffle Control” or an “Over hand shuffle control” to get the “named card to the face.

Here is the moment which the pause is very important, because after a short pause you will go ahead and spread the pack face down, but this time there will NOT be a face up card revealed.

Assuming the “Depth Illusion Move” has been used. It is very important that you remember the bottom card is an indifferent card and the card right above is the “name card”.

You must now position the “name card” to be directly on bottom. This is a very easy thing to do; in fact the best way to do it is while you spread the deck (face down) showing no face up card.

As the cards are spread, thumb all the cards over until you get to the very last card, this card is simply moved to the top of the pack as you square it back up.

• The position now is that you are holding the pack in face down position (dealers grip). The “name card” is on the bottom, and you are preparing yourself to do the “Pop Out Move”.
• You can either use the Piet Forton “Pop Out Move” or Harry Lorayne’s “Pop Out Move” from “Quantum Leaps”, which requires a swing cut.

Again, at this point I am not going to explain the pop out move, I would rather that you hunt down the material of these fine artists to learn a “Pop Out Move”.

• Briefly- the “Pop Out Move” is causing the bottom (face down) card to visually turn over seemingly from the center of the pack.

Instead of explaining the “Pop Out Move” I shall describe something that I created on my own some fifteen years ago. It is a very simple way of causing a card to turn over, while hiding its back.

• I do realize that this little move was likely developed independently by many magicians around the world; however I am currently unaware of anyone else using this.

Simple Move:

All you need to do is grasp the deck in right hand “Overhand” grip (Often mistakenly referred to as “biddle” grip) and then swing cut the top half into the left hand. (Figure 2)

The left hand takes its pack and moves away from the right hand pack a few inches and then rebounds back as if to complete a cut.

Instead of completing a cut, your left fingers move below the right hand pack until they reach the center of the bottom card. (Figure 3)

Pause for a split second and press upward with your left fingers. At the very same time begin to slide the bottom card to the left- moving your right hand a bit to the right and the left fingers pulling to the left. (Figure 4)

Then the right hand moves downward causing the bottom card to instantly turn over. This is a fluid motion which will create the illusion of the card jumping out of the middle, (face up).

• If you don’t have a table available, it is a simple and ideal matter to use the spectators hand as the landing platform for the card.

Conclusion:

The “name card” has appeared and this time you shall state “Now your card has instantly turned over in the pack.”

Pick up the card and pause a moment (the idea is for them to have heard you say “your card”) wait for them to make a statement in regards to the “your card” patter. If they don’t right away, slowly/clearly express it again in this manner.

“Wasn’t that amazing that your card magically turned over in the pack three times.”

Your spectator will surely get the clue at this point, but if “he/she” does not THEN another spectator will surely speak out.

If not still then take this route:

“You don’t seem too impressed. This was your card wasn’t it?”

Of course they will answer “NO”.

Assuming your spectator has responded as desired, by saying “I didn’t even choose a card, how could that be my card?”

“What, this isn’t your card?” “NO” “Are you sure, I was sure this was your card.” “Nope”.

“This has to be your card.”

While stating this, the card is turned face down to reveal their name written across its back.

“It has your name written across its back, please take this card and keep it as a souvenir.”

Final Thoughts:

At first glance you may be tempted to use the old “Your Name” gag, PLEASE don’t. In my humble opinion and as discussed with Jeff Stone, this effect is NOT even a magic trick until their “actual name” is revealed.

The turning of the cards is a visual bit of fun, and there is clearly magical build up; however NO card was chosen so it will not be that impressive until the end when the card visually flips over after showing the conditions.

• Revealing that you knew their name before hand is where the true magic will be established.

There was a wonderful trick that I still perform from time to time called “Cardian Angel” by Paul Harris. If you are not familiar with this effect, please look it up and check it out.

• Simply- “Cardian Angel” was an effect where the angel found on the back of a bicycle card is seen to become animated, by riffling the pack the angel reaches inward and pulls out a tiny card, this card is seen to have the spectators name printed across its back.
• There was an idea included in the instructions which due to certain restrictions of the effect stated that you could learn the name of someone who is close to the spectator instead of using their actual name.
• This idea might even be a bit more powerful, because after meeting and learning your spectators actual name, the name of the person who is close to them has not even been spoken and this will (in my opinion) add a very powerful, spooky moment to “Unpicked”.

Another Little Tip:

• At the end of the effect create as much time distortion as possible after revealing the card with a pop-out move. Place the card in their hand face up before revealing their name, thus adding the element of magic happening within their grasp.

The appropriate patter would be:

• “Will you please hold out your hand sir” “Thank you”
• Place the card in his/her hand. “Now it is your card”

Quite possibly causing a few laughs, “It really is your card, please turn it over.”

Credits and Resources:

I would like to state and give thanks to Al Schneider. This effect was initially designed to fall under the guidelines of “The Schnieder Technique”

• Predictability
• Doing a single effect
• Showing previous conditions
• Pausing before an effect
• Pausing after an effect occurs
• Repetition (three phases)

Please take a moment to reply and “like” this effect.

The post Unpicked appeared first on Stone Cold Magic Magazine.

Performance:
In the left hand, hold the deck face up in the dealer’s grip.  With your right thumb, riffle up to about the half way point.  Up jog the upper portion of the deck about an inch and a half (see fig 1). Here comes the weird part.  Without moving your left hand, place your right fingers on top of the up jogged portion, and place your right thumb underneath the up jogged portion (see fig 2).

Now that you are gripping the up jogged portion, pick it up, and do a one handed fan.  As you do the fan, it will be natural to turn your right hand so that the fan will be face down (see fig 3). Now for a split second, the fan will be covering the face of the left hand packet.  As it is covering the packet, the right little finger is going to steal the card that is against the left palm as follows:

Slide your right little finger behind the left hand packet allowing the palm side of your right little finger to touch the back of the card nearest your left palm (this card is actually the top card of the deck). At the same time, your right ring finger knuckle will be resting on the face card of the left hand packet (see fig 4). Note that in figure 4, the left hand has been removed for clarity’s sake.

Press the little finger against the top card as your whole right hand moves downward with the fan.  This will cause the top card to slide off of the left hand packet and be clipped between your extended right little finger and your bent right ring finger (see fig 5). The fan conceals this extra card.  Now draw attention to the card at the face of the left hand packet.  Bring the fan up again to cover the left hand packet.  As you do so, slide the extra card onto the face of the left hand packet (see fig 6).

As you slowly move the fan down with a wiping motion, it will appear as if the card at the face of the deck changes (see fig 7).  This is a very visual piece of magic.  Make sure you give it a shot.

Notes:
This effect has very tricky angles.  Watch the right side of the fan when you are concealing the extra card.  To avoid people seeing the hidden card, apply pressure on the back of the fan with your right thumb.
The pressure is applied downward and to the right (see fig 8).

This will cause the fan to be wider and almost a full semi-circle.  This should be enough to cover the stolen card.  Just practice with a friend, and have him watch your angles.  But don’t let that scare you off, because this effect freaks people out; it’s worth the time and effort to get this one. One final note is that this handling of the cards was sort of stumbled on while I was messing around with Ed Marlo’s Sunrise Production as it was written up in “Early Marlo.”

Finally, Wesley James pointed out that my color change, Stone Cold Color Change is similar to other moves in the past. Here’s what he had to say about this move:

While not identical, your Stone Cold Color Change has roots in a number of other techniques, which I feel should be referenced.

… Harry Lorayne has a similar change in which the card is stolen from the face of the left hand packet. Martin Gardner has a similar change, The Wink Change (Pallbearer’s Review, as I recall), wherein the fan serves only as a screen.

The grip you assume on the left hand packet is identical to that used in the steal of the packet in the widely known Chavez Vanish sequence (The Chavez Course in Magic).

Please Take a Moment to Reply To and “like” This Effect.

The post Stone Cold Color Change appeared first on Stone Cold Magic Magazine.

There are official reviewers and non-official reviewers. To become a non-official reviewer is simple. Go to the site; create a username, and start reviewing. Keep in mind that the reviews are moderated and require approval before posting. They have rules about what constitutes a good review.

Their tagline is “Blatant Honestly in a World of Deception.” They stick by that. The reviews are direct and honest. If you’re not sure about a particular product, check out their site to get a review.

Feel free to check out My “Official” reviews. For you loyal readers, you’ll recognize that the reviews in the Stone Cold Magic Newsletter are the same as the ones I post on My Lovely Assistant. However, sometimes they go live before my newsletter, so you can get a jump on the reviews. Plus, on their site, you get reviews by several other people including David Acer and Jeff McBride.

Sankey Magic Sale:
For those of you who don’t know (both of you), Sankey Magic is having a killer sale that ends on February 2, 2009. Buy 2 get 1 free… anyone you want… you choose the free one from all products $30.00 and under.

Also, if you’re one of the few people in the universe who does not subscribe to the Sankey Magic Newsletter, you seriously need to get on it. Every week there are prize drawings. I’ve been a subscriber for years. I’ve seen, over those years, hundreds of Sankey Magic products given away for free. Plus right now he’s giving away an E-Book for free. It contains 10 of his most popular tricks from past issues. I’ve checked it out, and it’s got some killer stuff in it!

Plus each issue contains tips and ideas from other performers. You’ll stay current on new SM  products, sales, etc. Each month also has a free trick. In fact the January issue had 2 free tricks.  If you haven’t already subscribed, go to Sankey Magic, and enter your email address in the big blue box in the upper right-hand corner… you can’t miss it!

Harry Lorayne:
You may have noticed by now that this month’s free trick was graciously donated to us by none other than the memory man himself… Harry Lorayne. The effect is one of his classics from back in the day called One-Eyed Jack Sandwich. The great news is that it’s been updated (along with four other of Harry’s books) and compiled into one killer book, Lorayne: The Classic Collection, Volume I. If you don’t have it get it!

Contact Harry Directly, and tell him I sent you!

E-Commerce:
It just so happens that I’m a double-nerd. I am a magician and a web developer. As many of you know, I’m the webmaster for the Newsletter Site, and for the Stone Cold Magic Site. That being the case, we knew it would come to this… I’ve been working like mad to completely rebuild the Commerce system on Stone Cold Magic. I’m almost done. More soon…

Gemstones:
Ok… so who’s sick of me making excuses about why I haven’t released Gemstones yet? My hand is raised high! Sorry gang. It’s been out of my control, but that’s not your fault. So here’s the deal. Come hell or high water, Gemstones WILL release in February 2009!

As my way of apologizing for dragging this out so long, for the first couple weeks, it will be selling for $20.00 rather than the normal $25.00. Plus, the day of the release a random drawing will be held, and I will announce 10 winners of a free copy of Gemstones!

Keep in mind, too, that everyone who owns Gemstones whether you get it from Stone Cold Magic or elsewhere, will have full access to the Gemstones website. This gives you access to download various props and tools. It gives you access to current ideas and alternate handlings on various effects from the DVD. There are also bonus effects that aren’t found on the DVD and a ton more.

Check out the trailer on youtube, and leave a darn comment for the love of pete!

Happy Birthday:
Last, but certainly not least. This month my baby sister turned 33! Yeow! I’m old! Happy Birthday Kim.

Thanks again to everyone for yet another month of your support of Stone Cold Magic!

Jeff Stone

The post People are Takin’ Notice appeared first on Stone Cold Magic Magazine.

Can I just say, that I’m a huge fan of Harry Lorayne. I’ve been doing material from his books for years. Just to name a few:

• One-Eyed Jack Sandwich
• Any Four Of A Kind
• Magic Square (in my stand up act)
• Red & Black Fantasy
• Impromptu Out of This World
• Pseudo Memory
• Four of  Kind

On top of this, I’ve studied his memory work, particularly his book Super Memory, Super Student and Miracle Math: How to Develop a Calculator in Your Head.

Back in the day, when I trained sales people, I used Harry’s techniques to engrain portions of the computer system functionality into the brains of the sales people. Anyway, having said all that, I was extremely happy when Harry agreed to let me publish one of his effects in this month’s issue.

This effect, along with four of his books have been updated, rewritten, revised, etc into one book: Lorayne: The Classic Collection Volume I. You can get a copy directly from Harry Lorayne: harrylorayne@earthlink.net.  Shoot him an email, and let him know I told you to.

Below is the basic description and effect. Of course, for a more detailed and updated handling, etc, be sure to get your hands on a copy of Volume I mentioned above.

Effect:
An unknown, mystery card, is placed face-down between the two face-up one-eyed Jacks (Spades and Hearts). The “Jack Sandwich” is cut into the center of the deck. A card is selected and cleanly cut into the deck (one straight cut).

Then upon spreading the deck, it is found that the “mystery card” that was between the Jacks from the beginning is actually the chosen card. No duplicates, can be done with a borrowed/shuffled deck, and the selection can even be signed if you wish.

Method:
This effect is the essence of simplicity. If you can do a double undercut, you can do this effect. Here is the basic handling. Again for details, I highly recommend Lorayne: The Classic Collection Volume I.

Once you’ve removed the two Jacks, openly place any card face-down (without ever showing it) between the Jacks. Place the three-card sandwich on top of the deck with the Jacks face up. Double undercut the top jack to the bottom of the deck.

Position Check:

• Top of Deck: Face-down mystery card
• Below that: Face-up Jack
• Below that: 49 Face-down cards
• Below that (on the bottom of the deck): Face-up Jack

You can have a card selected before this point or at this point. Harry recommends that you riffle down the side of the deck with your thumb and have the spectator stick his finger in as you riffle and pull out a card. Once the card is selected and shown to everyone (including yourself if you’d like), it goes face-down on the bottom of the deck.

Position Check:

• Top of Deck: Face-down mystery card
• Below that: Face-up Jack
• Below that: 48 Face-down cards
• Below that: Face-up Jack
• Below that (on the bottom of the deck): Face-down Selection

Turn the deck face-up those showing the selection at the face. Next you will execute a cut that will sandwich the selection between the two Jacks while leaving the “mystery card” behind on the top of the deck.

Next, go get a deck and get into position. While the following move is simple, it’s a little tricky to explain in writing. The illusion is the you cut the “top” of the face-up deck to the bottom.

Essentially that is exactly what you do, except you leave the “bottom” card of the face-up deck in place, and the cut portion ends up between the mystery card and the balance of the deck. See figure 1. Note, in figure one, the grip of the left index finger as it applies pressure to the left hand’s thumb crotch to hold the deck in place.

Also in figure one, the right hand (removed for clarity) has cut off the top portion of the deck. The left hand pink pulls down the mystery card to allow the right hand’s packet to be inserted between it and the rest of the deck. See figure 2.

If you study figures one and two closely, they pretty much have all the answers to how this cut works.  If you follow the directions and the figures with deck in hand, you will see that from the top view, it really does look like you just cut the top (the face) of the deck to the bottom (back) of the deck.

Here’s the best part. At this point in the routine, from the audience’s perspective, you’ve simply cut the sandwich into the deck and then cut the selection into the deck. That’s it.

You are soooooooooo far ahead of the game. It’s all about milking at this point. The reveal is to simply turn the deck face-down; spread to face-up Jacks; show the card between them to be the selection. As always, however, remember: Astonishment over moves. I’ve only described the moves. The astonishment is up to you.

Some Points to Consider:
In your presentation, you need to somewhat justify the use of the two Jacks and the mystery card. I recommend you read what Harry has to say about that. He has a simple, yet elegant presentation that makes the routine all the more beautiful.

Secondly, don’t just spread and show the selection between the Jacks. Milk it. Build the drama; pause; extend the moment. If you don’t know how to do these things, then you haven’t been reading enough of the Roots and Branches articles. 

Credits:
In Harry’s book, he mentions that this trick was originally shown to him by Al Leech. Harry modified a couple components and “fixed” a move that he felt “looked like a move.” I assume that the effect shown by Mr. Leech was Ace Sandwich from his book Card Man Stuff.

Al’s version is a different trick in effect, and partially in method, but it’s clear that Harry’s effect is a derivative of this effect. Once Harry modified it, Fred Braue published a modified version of it in Hugard’s Magic Monthly.

Final Thoughts:
I used to do this trick about 15 years ago. Then over time it sort of vanished from my repertoire. I don’t really remember how that happened. Then I sort of forgot about it. I was recently re-reading some of my Lorayne stuff and found it highlighted in the book. I reread it and remembered how much I liked it, so it’s back in my repertoire.

I’d say over the past few weeks, I’ve done it a few dozen times, and every time it gets a great reaction. Give it a shot. It’s the perfect effect for when someone throws a deck at you, especially if you use Harry’s presentation from his book.

Enough said, if I haven’t convinced you to at least give it a try, I need a new job. Give it a try. To Quote Mr. Lorayne on the subject, “The important thing is that you should learn it and use it – it’s a great quickie.”

Please “like” this effect:

The post One-Eyed Jack Sandwich appeared first on Stone Cold Magic Magazine.