by Bill Eburn

The deck is previously prepared with the Ace of Spades upside down second from the top, with the third from the top card being a King. The top card is any indifferent card. The second King may be anywhere in the deck. With this setup the deck may be freely shuffled, being sure not to disturb the three top cards. Finally, the deck is cut once, bringing the three card setup to the center of the deck.

The performer then looks through the deck, selecting the single King first, and lays it on the table face up. Finally, locate and double lift the King and Ace, keeping them squared up. They are then held together and placed on the table over the single King.

Now, the selection of the card. Recap what has happened, explaining that the deck has been thoroughly shuffled and cut, so that the cards are in no special order. (This has absolutely no meaning to the trick, but it still goes over well with the specs). The shuffling and cutting are just by-play to add a little confusion.

Tell the spec that one card has mysterious properties, including the ability to move its position in the deck, and that you have found these properties to work time and again. The card is a singular one in the deck, in that it is different than all other cards and is probably the most well known card in the deck. Ask them if they know which card you are referring to. 99 times ourt of a hundred, they will say the Ace of Spades. If they say another card, say that that wasn’t the mysterious card you had in mind, and remind them that the manufacturers name is on that card. This approach is ferfectly normal, because you did not have them pick an arbitrary card, you were using your “mysterious” card, which you have used before. If they don’t say the Ace, then pack up and go home.

Now reveal the Ace between the two Kings in your best manner.