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I have to admit, I cannot recall where or when I learned this little routine, or if I simply conjured it up one day myself. Its one of those manipulations that I use so often, I cannot remember if I invented it, or someone else. There is no doubt, that the change which occurs was not my invention, but simply a variation on a single card change. It is, however, one of my favorite "easy" card tricks, and leaves the spectator quite amazed. It relies mainly on your ability to perform well, and use some calm misdirection. I have never had anyone expose the routine, and they are always quite amazed and baffled at the result. The more simple it is, the more amazing it will seem. The Presentation: The Card Conjurer explains that one time in England's history there were four princesses who loved one another so much, that they did everything together as best friends and sisters would. They went to school together, ate together, sat together, sang together, and did everything good sisters should do. At this point, while you have been speaking, you place the four queens in a row, face-up on the table. Then, you are to place one card face down on top of each queen, while allowing the queens to show. You deal two more rounds of face up cards on top of each queen until you have dealt three indifferent cards on each one of the queens. Be sure to allow the spectator to see the queens the entire time, and never hide them from view - yet. You continue: It came to pass that the four sisters decided to go to America together on a holiday. (Ask the spectators what city they would like to visit). Ah, yes, they wanted to go to [CITY] as well. At this point, turn the queens face down, then turn the indifferent three card on top of each, face down as well. The queens are left in their original position. They are, then, the bottom card of each of the four packets. The four piles of cards are placed one on top of each other, and then placed on top of the rest of the deck. The Card Conjurer deals the top sixteen cards into four groups, dealing one card at a time. The fourth pile naturally is comprised of the four queens, and the pile is marked by turning the bottom queen in the group face up so the spectator can see that one card protruding underneath the other three queens which remain face down. You say: Now you see, here are the queens all together. But, they have not reached their destination. They have stopped off at Houston, but we know they are on their way to [CITY]. The Card Conjurer allows the spectator to choose one of the other three piles as the destination city. Its a free choice. The bottom card of that pile is turned face up like the queen - protruding and seen. Now the performer states that wherever he places the first queen, the other queens, being loyal sisters, will follow readily. The Card Conjurer transfers the face-up queen to the pile selected by the spectator placing it face down on top of this pile. The face-up indifferent card at the bottom of the spectator's selected pile is brought over to the top of pile where the face-up queen was, and it is placed faced down on top of that pile. They have switched places. But what of the other cards? The Card Conjurer may perform here any "abracadabra" movements or gestures he would like. I simply like to wave my hand over the cards while saying "Watch closely..." and then after about five seconds I ask, "Did you see the other three sisters follow?" At this point, immediately turn up the two piles, queens first, then the indifferent card pile. The queens are found nestled together in the spectator's choice and city. And the pile where the queens were thought to be sitting at first, is shown the four indifferent cards.
What is the Secret? Here is where you must employ a bit of misdirection and equivoque (the Conjurer's choice). The cards are dealt out, as stated, up to the point when the sixteen cards are to be dealt again. At this point you are going to make a switch. The first four cards are dealt out to form the four separate piles. The fourth card is the first queen. The Conjurer begins to deal the fifth card back at the beginning onto the first pile - but STOPS. With that card in hand, he points to the face down queen and says, "That card is the first sister - right?" At this point the spectator will say "Yes it is," or will say, "I'm not sure." (Maybe they were not paying close attention). In either case, take the card that you still have in your hand and slip it under the deck, then immediately turn over that queen with the hand you just used. The fifth card which was going to be dealt is now UNDER the deck, and the queen is turned up - you say, "Ah, yes, there she is..." (The spectator has no idea you just slipped the card. They are trying to think about where that queen is.) Now continue to deal the rest of the cards out, each time saying "sister" (or queen) when you place a card on top of the queen pile. But you must remember, that since you placed that fifth card on the bottom of the deck, the THIRD row of cards, not the fourth, now contain the other THREE queens after the sixteen cards are dealt. The Card Conjurer must now force the "third pile" as their destination city by equivoque - the magician's force. Very simply, ask the spectator to point to one pile. If they choose the right pile where you know the other three queens are sitting, then say "Wonderful, there is the city you chose - [name the CITY]." Then pile up the remaining first two piles and place them under the deck. The only piles that remain are the third and fourth pile. If they choose one of the other piles, simply remove that pile and ask them to choose another. Force them, in this way, to have the right pile chosen. The bottom card of the third pile is turned face up to match the one face up queen in the fourth pile. The cards are physically switched to trade places, a build up of performing is done, and the Queens mysteriously move into the spectators pile. If done comfortably, and casually, with a little performing practice and the right patter, this is a sure-fire card miracle that intimately involves the spectator. If this was confusing at any point, then simply follow it step by step with a deck of cards. Working it once correctly, no matter how fast the moves are completed, will demonstrate the card miracle.
Go to the next trick - a medium Card Conjure
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