18 MATCHING AGAIN

MATCHING AGAIN

by Jean Devriès

In his “Card Magic” book* Nick Trost describes different versions of other card-magicians on the theme “Matched picture cards”. Instead of the six court pairs, the version proposed here uses any matched pairs of the deck, seven of them. The presentation seems more natural (less strict), leaving apparently greater place of hazard (after mixing the matched pairs, it may happen one of them remains intact). Moreover the spectator is invited to take part in the performance.

Effect. Pairs of matched cards distributed onto to the table are stacked in any order. Then the pile is mixed and cut several times. The performer displays the cards by twos (in their new order), before dropping them (face-down), one pair on another, onto the table. The pairs have appeared made of unmatched cards, except one, which had been discarded aside. Next, the tabled pile cards are dealt by twos, in different places, onto the table. After making “magical circles” with the discarded pair above each of the distributed pairs on table, these ones become made of matched cards again!..(see Video)

Performances.

1°/ From the deck remove seven pairs of matched cards, for example: the black Aces, red Kings, black Jacks, red Tens, black Eights, red Sevens and black Fives. Toss them, face-up, in different places onto the table (Photo 1a). After turning them over, face-down (Photo 1b), permute the pairs, one another, at random. Then, invite the spectator to put them, one on another, in any order (Photo 1c). Pick up the pile and turn it over. Rapidly show the cards spreading them between the hands. As you do, memorize the identity of the card in 5th position from the face (e.g. 5S on Photo 2). After closing the spread, turn the packet, face-down, in left hand.

2°/ Now, "mix" the cards, according to the "pushing off formula 3-2-2-2-5", as explained hereafter. With the left thumb push off three cards (not reversing their order) into the right hand (Photo 3a); then push off two next cards onto the first three (Photo 3b); push off two more, two more, and finally spread, more or less, the last group of five cards and transfer it onto the right hand cards (Photo 3c). Table the packet and you or the spectator cut(s) it several times (complete cuts) (Photo 4).

Re-take the packet and spread the cards, face-up, between the hands, to show their apparent disorder. As you do, discretely, locate the card you had memorized previously, and before closing the spread cut it so that to bring the card in question on back of the packet (Photos 5a, b). Turn the packet, face-down, and as you square it, retain a pinky break below the 3rd top card (Photos 6a, b).

3°/ Now, if you show the cards by twos, the spectator must expect, after the mixing operations previously described, most of the pairs should be made of unmatched cards (different in color, suit, value). To display the pairs you are going to apply the principle of Tom Hubbard's presentation*, but here in a manner which seems more natural, in other words, after showing them, do not use the regular depositing of the pairs onto the table, as it was proposed. Proceed as explained hereafter.

As the right hand in Biddle grip lifts off the three upper cards (above the pinky break) and moves rightwards, the left thumb retains slightly the top card placing it in left-jogged position (Photos 6c, d). Thus, turning the right hand which holds the three cards, palm-up, you can show “two” unmatched cards (e.g. KH and 5S on Photo 6e). Deposit the pair, face-down, just as they are, onto the table (be careful not to disjoint the cards of the double) (Photo 6f).

In the same manner display the next pair (just two cards). But this time the pair will appear made of matched cards (e.g. Black Aces on Photos 7a, b) . Simulate to be slightly surprised and say something as: ”This may occur..,occasionally.., though the cards have been mixed...” Discard the pair in question, throwing it, face-up, aside onto the table.

The next pair will appear made of unmatched cards. After showing it, “drop” the pair on top of the tabled “pair” (In the Tom Hudson's handling the pairs are put in alignment, one on another; here it's not necessary). Continue to display two (unmatched) pairs more and “drop” them on the tabled cards (Photo 8). At this point, three cards remain in your left hand. With the right hand grasp them from above in perfect alignment and use the left thumb to draw the top card leftwards (Photo 9a), thus you show the “ultimate unmatched pair” (e.g. 8C and JC on Photo 9b). Putting it on top of the tabled pile, gather up all the face-down cards, so as to square and dribble them between the hands (Photos 9c, d, e).

4°/ At present deal the face-down cards by twos in different places onto the table. Then pick up the face-up matched card which had been discarded and use it to make “magical circles” above each of the distributed face-down pairs (Photo 10). Slowly, turn over the pairs, one after the other, to reveal they are “become” made of matched cards again ( Photo 11)...

* “The Card Magic of Nick Trost” by Nick Trost (L&L. Publishing).