The Revelation

The magician can reveal the number of cards in the center pile in several ways. Simply divining the number is fine for an impromptu presentation. An alternative is to write the number on a sheet of paper, the writing side not shown or known to the spectators, place the paper face down on the table and have the spectator deal the center pile onto the paper. The spectator is asked to count the remaining cards and then turn over the paper to finish.

Another alternative is to have the spectator gather up the left and right piles, add them to the remaining card stock, put all those cards into the card case and hand the case to the magician. The magician then pretends to gage the weight of the cards in the case and announces how many cards are missing.

Presentation Notes

This effect and the math behind it are explained by Professor Hoffmann in 'More Magic' as a New Numerical Trick With Cards. Hoffmann also explains other math based effects which allow the spectator to choose the number of piles dealt and the magician to know the total value of the cards in a particular pile.

The principle can be used with any type of card, such as business, Tarot or esp cards. By having the spectator pocket the final pile without counting the cards, the effect can be used to get one ahead in a triple mental prediction, the spectator only removing the cards and counting them at the finish of the routine.


By Richard Robinson
Photographs by Ellen Lebowitz
source : www.allmagic.com