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WWW.WAYNEDOBSON.CO.UK
 CONTENTS

Out Of My Hands

The SH*T Spell

McDobson's Aces

WAYNE DOBSON - A LIFE IN MAGIC Card Trick

Join Wayne and his special guests Matthew J. Dowden. Mark James
and Michael J. Fitch as they all perform and teach some of Wayne's Invisible
Signature routines that made him a world magic star.

See these classic routines performed on TV by Wayne and then watch Second Chance
as they're performed in bars and restaurants to a whole ,"new
audience.
Birthday Card
"'A REAL LESSON IN HOW STRENGTH OF PERSONALITY CAN TRANSFORM
THE SIMPLEST SEEMING TRICKS."' Lucky Numbers
MAGIC MAGAZINE
Tossed Deck
'THIS IS A TRULY FANTASTIC SET OF DISCS."
., Echo
GENII MAGAZINE

"ONE OF THE BEST SETS RElEASED IN YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS ...
WAYNE IS ONE OF OUR BEST MAGICAL THINKERS. EVERY EFFECT ON THIS
SET IS GOOD AND WILL WORK IN CLOSE UP, STAGE AND PARLOUR."
REEL MAGIC

I
AVAILABLE FROM WWW.WAYNEDOBSON.CO.UK \
 FOURWORDS by engaging his studio audience with cabaret material performed with
the simplest of items (I'm not kidding, the man got five minutes out of an
IIThis book is good!" onion).

It's two years and two series later and I'm off to the Guildford Civic Hall
because a friend of a friend works for local radio station 'County Sound'
FOREWORD and has blagged me tickets to see Wayne Dobson live!! I can't believe
my luck. My mum and I sat fifth row centre. Every minute of that show
Picture the scene. It's 1989. The Tories are in power (the proper Tories, not is emblazoned on my memory. The introduction with Merlin performing
the mutant variety we have now), big hair and big shoulder pads are the the Chinese Sticks to a rap, the appearance from the Shadow Box, the
fashion and the kids are dancing to a new sound called "Bros': None of "newest illusion in the world - Slicer';the oriental section in the middle,
which interests me, nay. All my young brain cares about is it's Tuesday the over use of the music of Vangel is and Phil Collins. And the piece that
night and I have to get home quick because The Joe Longthorne show makes the strongest impression? The forty minute segment in the second
is on and I don't want to miss a second of it (these were the glory days half when Wayne Dobson brings two men up on stage and performs the
of only four channels, no Sky boxes and video recorders still a luxury most perfect comedy magic segment I have, to this very day, ever seen.
reserved for the mega rich. If you missed a show you had a lovely two All the grand spectacle fades in comparison to the reaction he gets from
year wait for a re-run. The kids today don't know they're born). The reason two sponge balls and a weird looking zipped up wallet. I realise that the
for my excitement is not the chance to watch Longthorne do his Shirley smaller Wayne Dobson's props are, the bigger the man himself becomes.
Bassey voice AGAIN, no, my adrenals are firing because it's another chance After the show my mum and I queue round the back with the other fans
to watch Longthorne's regular guest and my personal hero work his in the piss rain to get my copy of the souvenir brochure signed. My turn
magic on an audience. I'd sit with my nose pressed to the screen and try comes round and I'm now standing in front of the man I have worshipped
to impress his every move onto the digital camera in my head. The gr<;lnd for the last five years."Helio mate - did you enjoy it?"
illusions were theatrical and impressive, but it was the close up section I
watched with awe - the combination of simple props, killer sleight of hand He spoke to me! He looked me in the eye and spoke to me! I want to blurt
and sharp, warm and above all funny audience interaction. You just knew out "It was life changing! Stupendous! It's just redefined the direction
you were watching something special when you watched Wayne Dobson. of my existence -I want to perform comedy and grow up just like you!
You're my hero in life! What's Linda Lusardi look like up close?';but I'm
It's two years later and I'm over the moon - one of the kids that hangs out fifteen years old with the beginning of a mental illness and so I mumble
in Davenports has just told me Wayne Dobson has now got his own series "It was good" into my scarf, get my autograph and move on for the next
and it starts tonight! I dash home and watch my hero open his first show fan. I hug the brochure all the way home. I still have it.
by casually vanishing a fO/O*/\ing helicopter whilst simultaneously flirting
with Linda Lusardi (then the fittest woman in England) before the opening It's 1996. I'm standing outside the drama department of Brooklands
credits!! His set is hip and new. Paul Daniels can keep his brass band, College clutching a copy of the Daily Mirror and trying to hide my face
awkward dancers and heinous theme tune with his name in the lyrics, from my fellow students because I'm crying.The front page of the paper is
Dobson had cool chairs shaped like giant hands, a page three girl for an my hero announcing he has M.s. I realise that's why he's not been on the
assistant and a theme song by Queen. He was a golden man, leaping out telly lately - not the bullshit rumours the wannabes in the magic shops
of illusions that looked like they'd been built for James Bond, contrasted
had been gossiping about. "Drugs.''''Drink.''''Aids.'' Morons. I remember
a girl in my class at school crying when Freddie Mercury died and how the INTRODUCTION
other kids laughed at her. I now know how she felt.
"Necessity Is the Mother Of Invention."
It's 2008. I am now a dashingly handsome comedian and seeker of
adventure. My manager calls to ask if I would like to host a show for The In my case, the above old saying is certainly true! In the year 2000 I noticed
M.5 society at the Electric Theatre in Guildford. The headline act will be that my right hand was becoming weaker, so I set out to devise effects and
Wayne Dobson. I tell her to "get stuffed" and put the phone down. Of routines that only required the use of my left hand. Although this proved
course I don't, I just wanted to check you were still with me on this never quite an effective way of doing things, I always felt that my right hand
ending foreword. No, I tell her yes then promptly head to T K Maxx to buy looked "alien" and I felt quite conscious of it. So, in the year 2008, I started
something nice to wear for the occasion because I don't want to balls up to develop routines and effects that were totally 'Hands Off: The one
my second chance to tell my hero what he's meant to me over the years condition I set myself, in developing these routines, was that just because
and as always believe a new shirt will make a difference. A week later, I the method was 'Hands Off'the effect would not be diluted - in fact, if
get to stand in front of a sold out theatre and announce "Ladies and anything, it would become stronger! The 'Hands Off' approach proved to
Gentleman, please welcome - Wayne Dobson!" I can't tell you in words be a blessing in disguise for me, as about a year ago I noticed that my left
how it felt. hand had also become slightly weaker.

It's 2009. Wayne and I have travelled to Denver to 'Magic in the Rockies: Everything in this book can be performed 'Hands Off' and I urge you,even
Wayne is lecturing, teaching some of the world class magic you are about though you more than likely have the full use of both hands, to keep the
to discover in this book. Fantastic, practical stuff you'll be using almost handling of the props to a minimum. I understand that you will probably
immediately (and a couple of magician foolers too - Wayne blew them use your hands to give the spectator the various props together with any
away with some of this material in the late night sessions) and all of it instructions you need them to follow, but try to resist any temptation to
'hands oW On stage nothing's changed. Sure, his pacing is a little slower handle the props at a time when the spectator might think you are doing
now and he works from a wheelchair but the wit is still razor sharp, the something deceitful. Remember: "If they are suspicious, it is as good as
audience interaction still leagues ahead and at the end they give him a them knowing!"
standing ovation. Later that night he'll perform his current version of his
classic act to a sold out theatre audience of over a thousand magicians All of the tricks in this book are self-working and use 'No Sieight-Of-Hand~
and laymen. He'll show us all again that the smaller his props the bigger he but the expression 'No Sieight-Of-Hand' doesn't mean 'No Skill'! In fact,
becomes. And I'll get to watch it all from the wings with a big grin on my you'll need all of your presentational abilities to make it seem that you are
face and a tear in my eye as my hero and my friend performs his greatest controlling all of the work! I find that when I'm presenting these effects I
trick. For fifteen minutes on a theatre stage, he'll make his disability... have a 'Couldn't Care Less Attitude~ however, this shouldn't be perceived
vanish!!! as arrogant, as you are then in danger of making it more like a competition
Danny Buckler 2011 between you and the spectator. Finally, and most importantly, make sure
the spectator places the props in exactly the same position as you would
"Ring the bells that still can ring, forget your perfect offering. There is a crack, a have if you were presenting the trick to them. If you do this, it will look as
crack, in everything. That's how the light gets in." Leonard Cohen though you are in control of everything that is happening!
A couple of these routines have appeared in print previously, but even
if you have come across them before you will hardly recognise them, as
OUT OF MY HANDS
they have now been vastly improved and updated with regards to patter,
Paul Curry's'Out ofThis World'has always been one of my favourite effects,
method and presentation, to accommodate my physical disability.
but I felt that it took a long time to reach the climax. I badly wanted to
perform it on TV for many years but, because of the time it takes up, I
When you tryout any of these effects, I promise that you will be more than
always shied away from it. Then, in 1983, John Kennedy showed me his
satisfied with the reception that they will receive. Nobody will be able to version of the trick, which was clean, direct and very baffling. I made a
work out anything, and that is because ... there is 'Nothing' for them to few minor alterations to it and eventually performed it on my TV show in
see! 1992.

Just remember:"Keep Your Hands to Your Self!" I recently got in touch with John and told him that I wanted to create a
completely hands-off version, and he very kindly sent me his routine to
Wayne Dobson 2011 refresh my memory.
Although there is still some of John's thinking in the following routine, I
have managed to create what I think is an extremely quick, clean, direct
and, most importantly, hands-off version of'Out ofThis World~

Required:

A deck of 52 regular cards set up so that they alternate in red/black order

throughout.

Presentation:

Two spectators are seated - one on your left and one on your right. The
deck of cards is face down in the centre of the table. We will refer to the
spectator on your left as 'A',and the one on your right as'B'. Start by asking
'A'to cut the deck and complete the cut. Ask'A'to pass the deck to'B'who
also cuts the deck and completes the cut. 'B' now deals the top card face
down in front of 'A; who is askea to tell you whether he FEELS the card is
red or black?This is obviously a 50-50 guess.lf he is right, you congratulate
him and if he's wrong, you tell him that he will get better with practice.
Whatever colour it happens to be, you now know that the next top card
will be ofthe opposite colour.Ask'B'to deal another card face down to the
table in front of himself. Now, using your best telepathic acting, you tell
him the colour of the tabled face down card, which is now turned face up. which of the two face down tabled piles contains cards that are ALL of
Both of these cards are left face up on the table in a single pile. that colour.
Ask'B'to (utthedeckagain and complete the cut.Ask'B'to deal the top card
face down in front of'A; and then deal the next card face down to himself. Ask'A'to pick up the large pile of face down cards that you know are ALL
You now ask'B'to place the card hejust dealt in front of'A' face down back red, and have 'B' take the other pile. Have them both shuffle their cards,
on top of the deck, as you explain that you'll do it a bit differently this time as you explain, to 'A' that you would like him to deal any cards that he
saying that this card is not needed. This has now effectively placed two FEELS are red face down onto the face up red card in front of him and he
cards of the same colour on top of the deck, but at this stage you don't is to deal any cards that he thinks aren't red face down onto the central
know what colour they are. DISCARDS pile.Sayto'B;that he is to deal any cards that he FEELS are black
face down onto the face up black card before him, and any cards he feels
You now ask 'B' to guess what colour his card is. Regardless of what he aren't black he is to deal face down onto the central DISCARDS pile.
guesses, have the card flipped face up and added to the face up pile in the
centre of the table. You now know the colour of the next TWO cards on Have them both do this at the same time. When they have dealt through
top ofthe deck. all their cards respectively. Have 'B' turn the central DISCARDS pile face up
and show everyone that it contains a random mixture of red and black
Ask 'B' to deal two cards face down to the table in front of 'A' and ask 'A' cards. Once he has done this, point out that you were trying to influence
to look at them and then try, using his psychic powers, to transmit the all his choices and, if you were successful, all the cards he dealt onto his
colour of the cards to you. Explain that there are only three possibilities... face up black marker card should also be black. Have him pick them up
they are both black, both red or one is black and one is red. After a few and show them to everyone to prove that ... they are!
seconds concentrating announce that both cards are the same colour.
They confirm this. Now say, "But they could be both black or both red. End by going through the same procedure with 'A' to prove that all the
Let me think...." After a few seconds of concentration ... tell them what cards he dealt onto his face up red marker card are also red!
colour they are! The colour of these two cards tells you what colour the
new top card of the deck now is, and you will use this information in a Everyone can now see that you managed to control their EVERY choice!
moment.

Ask'A'to pick up the five cards already dealt with. Have one red card dealt
face up before 'A' and one black card dealt face up before 'B'have the other
three cards turned face down and left in the centre of the table.
THE SH*T SPELL
Say that you will speed things up a little. Ask 'B' to deal the rest of the
cards into two piles alternating the deal left, right, left right etc. as if he This is my own hands-off variation on'The RIGHT Spell' from my'Dobson's
were dealing out two hands of cards in a game. Patter while this is being Choice Vol:l' book.
done that you will prove that, regardless of how good or bad their guesses
where earlier... that both 'A' and 'B' are psychic. Now, due to the fact that Hand out a regular deck for examination and shuffling. Ask the spectator
you knew what colour the top card was, it follows that you now know to hold the cards face up so that he can see them. You now spot (and

. ~-,
remember) the face card of the deck. Immediately ask him to raise the ask you to now deal/spell it one card for each letter." They do this
cards up so that only he can see their faces, spread through and think of and upon reaching the last letter... there is the 4H! You now say, "But
any card1:hat he can see. Once he has a card, ask him to remove it, put it it wasn't your card. If it had been, it would be one hell of a trick!"
face down on top of the face down deck and cut the cards (completing
the cut) several times. This has put his thought of card below your key card You now look at them again and then name the first card you mentally
in the face down deck. spelled (the 2C in the above example).Theywili react again by saying that
it is not their card. You say, "I didn't say it was your card but, if it was,
Have him put the deck face up on the table and spread the cards out. His I would ask you to spell it one card for each letter." Now have them
card will now be immediately above your key card. Note (and remember) spell down to this card ... arriving at the 2C on the final letter of the spell.
his card, and then have him pick up all the cards and shuffle them again. Finally, you ask them to tell you the name of their chosen card. Once they
do so, pause for a few seconds and then say, "Shitl" This will get a laugh.
Have him put the deck face up on the table again and spread the Continue by saying, "I tell you what, spell the word shit." They do do
. cards out again. You want his card to be a few cards (four or five) and, arriving on the final letter of the spell, there is... their chosen card!
away from the face of the deck. If it is, fine. If not tell him to remove a
bunch of cards from the face (enough to position his card where Note: I use the word SHIT because it suits my sense of humour and gets a
you want it to be) and shuffle them. Have the deck then assembled really BIG laugh. However, you can use any word you like.
so that his card is now a few from the face of the face up deck.

Explain that you would like him to pick up the face up deck and deal cards
into a face down pile on the table but calling out the name of each card as
he does so. You ignore the first few cards until you hear HIS card called out.
You say to yourself'S' as he calls out his own card. You then ignore the next
three cards, but say to yourself, as he deals them 'H'-T-T Remember the McDOBSON'S ACES
name of the next card he calls out and spell its name a card for each letter
as he deals. Example: the card is the 2C - as he deals the 2C onto the pile Required:
say to yourself 'T' then 'W'-'O'-'O'-'F'-'C'-'L'-'U'-'B'-'S' as he deals the next
nine cards. Remember the next card he calls out and do the same as you A deck of 52 cards induding duplicates of the AC, AD and AS. These
just did with the 2C Example: the card is the 4H - as he deals the 4H say three duplicates are roughed on their faces. Remove three of the
to yourself'F'then 'O'-'U'-'R'-'O'-'F'-'H'-'E'-'A'-'R'-T'-'S; as he deals the next regular cards (I use the 105, 7H and JD) and rough these on their backs.
eleven cards.5top him when he has dealt the card on the letter'S' of HEARTS.
Set-up:
Have him turn the face up cards in his hand face down, pick up all the
face down dealt cards and drop them onto the cards in his hand. (From the top down) Roughed AS, roughed AD, roughed AC, regular
AH, roughed 105, two regular cards, regular AC, regular AD, regular AS,
Now look at the spectator and name the last card you mentally spelled two regular cards, roughed 7H, two regular cards, roughed JD, rest of
(in our example the 4H). Usually they will react by saying that it is not deck. The roughed Ace of Spades is the top card of the face down deck.
their card. You say, "I didn't say it was your card but, if it was, I would
 '1"I'
Performance: Have the rest of the deck tabled face down to one side.

Ask someone to pick up the face down deck, then cut off and table half I now force them to choose the second packet from their left in the row
,of the cards face down. Ask that they cut off half of those remaining in (containing four Aces). I do this by asking that they place their left hand
their hand and table these to the right ofthe first tabled pile. Ask that they onto any of the piles. If they haven't placed it onto the required pile, I ask
again cut off half of those remaining in their hand and table them to the that they also place their right hand onto a pile. This eliminates either the
right of the second tabled pile. two packets under their hands, or the other two.

Ask that they move three cards from the top to the bottom of those left in The two eliminated packets are dropped one on top of the other, and left
their hand and then deal one card on top of each of the other three tabled on the table to one side, next to the deck.
piles. Once they have done this, they table the remaining cards in their
hand in a pile to the right of all the other piles. They now push one of the remaining piles toward me and this is either
eliminated and dropped onto the first two (now assembled) piles or kept
They are now asked to pick up the pile immediately to the left of the pile and the other pile is dropped onto the first two (now assembled) piles.
just tabled, move three cards from the top to the bottom, and then deal
one card on top of each of the other three tabled piles. Once they have At the end of the day, they have "chosen" the pile that was second from
done this, they table the cards in their hand in a pile where they were just their left in the row. All the other piles have now been assembled into one
picked up from. larger pile of twelve cards.

Ask them to do the same with the remaining two piles. Ask that they pick up the twelve card pile, remove the top card and wave it
over the packet (like a magic wand) and then move this card to the bottom
Have them now turn over the top card of each pile to reveal the four Aces! of the packet. Next ask thatthey drop the twelve card packet on top of the
Ask that they deal the Aces in a face up row from left to right in the order deck, and then give the deck a cut - completing the cut.
clubs, hearts, spades and diamonds. Then turn each Ace face down in the I now explain that I will cause the three Aces still in the deck to vanish. I
row. then have them turn the deck face up, table it and then spread the cards
Ask that they pick up the pile of cards on their far left and drop it onto the out face up across the table. Due to the roughed cards, NONE of the Aces
pile next to it, then drop this pile onto the next and finally these cards onto will show up!
the remaining pile to assemble the deck again.
Ask them to pick up the deck and deal three cards,one-at-a-time, from the Once they have seen that all the Aces have vanished, and confirmed this
top of the face down deck face up onto the Ace on their far left. Pause and to everyone else, I immediatelYnsk them to turn over the pile of four cards
then say, "Sorry, those three cards should be face down, please pick that they selected and ... it contains all four Aces!
them up and turn them face down." They do this, and (in a subtle way)
see that random cards are being dealt onto the Aces. Have them now deal
three face down cards onto the next Ace in the row, then three onto the
next and finally three onto the remaining Ace.
 ,
•·. .11··

,il
Performance:
LUCKY NUMBERS
Explain that everyone has a lucky number between one and 52. It might be
Required: the date oftheir birth month or something similar. Some people choose 13
as their lucky number, just to be different, others have 7 as theirs. Explain
A marked deck -I use a home made version ofTed Lesley's 'The Working that there are two decks of cards on thetable.The one before the spectator
Performer's Marked Deck: The only improvement I have made is to use is a regulardeck,but the one before you is a bit strange - it doesn't have any
3mm high (or larger if you need them) white Letraset rub down letters and faces,only backs. Continue that if your lucky number was 1,your lucky card
numbers to mark the cards. Younger performers will be able to buy (and would be the first card in your deck - the one on top at the moment. Ask
use) the marking material to make up a standard Ted Lesley marked deck, the spectator to lift off this card and show it to everyone. This is a subtle
but those of us who have passed the 50 year old mark will find it possible way (for me) to prove that the cards do have backs, but no faces. As the
to read the white 3mm high (or larger) letters and numbers WITHOUT spectator shows the card to everyone, make sure that they see that it has
having to put our reading glasses on ... a dead giveaway! You will also need a back but not a face. Ask if anyone has ever seen a deck of these cards
a blank backed deck and two blank faced cards. before etc.

Preparation: Have him replace the card blank side up on top of your deck. Next ask that
he remove the other deck from its card case and shuffle them.
Throwaway the jokers and advertising cards from the blank backed deck,
then stack it in Ace to King of Clubs, Ace to King of Hearts, Ace to King of Ask him what his lucky number is, pointing out that it can be any number
Spades, Ace to King of Diamonds order. The King of Diamonds is at the from 1 to 52. Let's assume that he says 20. Have him deal off 19 cards into
face of the deck, and the suits are in CHaSeD order. a face down tabled pile, and then lift off, look at and remember the 20th
card before dealing it face down in the middle of the table.
Set-up:
You now need to spot the markings on the back of his card and then
Shuffle and case the marked deck. Place the blank backed deck face up mentally work out where that card lies in your deck. This is easy as they
on the table (KD on the top/face of the deck), then place one of the blank run in Ace to King of Clubs, Ace to King of Hearts, Ace to King of Spades,
faced cards face down on top of the KD. Turn the deck over and place the Ace to King of Diamonds order.
other blank faced card blank side uppermost on top.
So, assuming his card is the 5H ... Ignore the blank faced card on top of
Note: When I perform this, I start with the cased marked deck on the table your cards for the moment and simply think to yourself that there are 13
near the spectator, and the other deck blank sides uppermost on the table Clubs and then 5 Hearts (due to the CHaSeD order). 13 + 5 is 18 and then
near me. However, if you are able bodied ... You can start with the blank add 1 (for the blank faced card) = 19. So, you now say, "My lucky number
deck in its case too. You would then remove it from its case, allowing the is 19. Would you take my deck and deal off 18 cards into a tabled pile
back design side to be seen, then turn the deck over and spread through and then deal the 19th on top of your card in the middle of the table."
showing that all the faces are blank. You would then table the deck, blank Have him drop the rest of the blank cards onto those on the table, square
sides up, before you. up this deck and then table it before you.
Due to the fact that you already know that his card is the SH you now say, The backs of the nines and tens are marked by inking in the central white
"By the way, I know that my card doesn't have a face, but my lucky dot with a fine tipped red marker pen.
card is tlie Five of Hearts, what was yours?" He'll now srnile and say
something to the effect that so was his! Presentation:

Next ask that he pick up his and your card (keeping them squared), turn Two spectators are seated - one to your left and one to your right. The
them over (looks like they are face down) as a unit and then set them, still deck of cards is face down in the centre of the table. We will refer to the
squared, on the table. spectator on your left as 'A; and the one on your right as 'B: Start by asking
'A'to cut off about a third of the cards and place them in a face down pile
You are now about to use time misdirection ... ask that he assemble his on the table. He is instructed to then cut off half of them and table them
(regular) deck and then put these cards back into their card case. in a face down pile to the right of the first tabled pile. He is instructed to
Drawing everyone's attention back to the two cards found by your table the remaining cards to the right of the other two piles. He is now
respective lucky numbers say, "Slide the top card, my card, towards instructed to assemble the deck again by placing the pile on the far left
me." Everyone will assume that the card beneath (the other card) is his onto the centre pile and this pile onto the remaining pile. This sequence
card, as it has a printed face. Say, "I see that your lucky number 20 has has retained your original set up on top of the deck.
revealed that your lucky card is the SH. Let me see if I can print a face
on my lucky card." Ask 'A' to now cut off the upper half of the deck for himself and then pass
the lower halfto'B: Ask'B'to shuffle his cards,then spread them across the
It only remains for you to cause YOlJrcard to also print a face, which matches table face down. Finally ask 'B' to push out any card from the spread and
his card perfectly! I simply make a gesture towards my card and then ask leave it face down on the table. Ask him to take a peek at his tabled card.
him to turn it face up. Everyone sees that it has now become printed on Once he has seen and remembered it, he leaves it face down on the table.
the face, and that both cards are identical! ' He is then instructed to pick up the rest of his cards, as you explain that
you are about to perform a CARD TRICK. Ask him to deal a card for each
letter of the words C-A-R-D-T-R-I-C-K onto his tabled card forming a face
down pile. Finally he is asked to pick up these cards and drop them on top
CARD TRICK of the rest of his cards. This has positioned his cards 10th down.

Some time back I was chatting with Danny Buckler and he showed me Ask 'A' to now deal his cards into a face up tabled pile. Watch as he does
a trick using what I then christened the 9/10 principle. Neither of us had this and stop him when he has dealt the fifth card. Say that you will make
any idea who it belonged to and after asking others it seems likely that it it harder. Ask him to turn the tabled cards face down and continue dealing
is the kind of thing that has been independently devised by many of us. the cards face down onto the tabled pile - stopping whenever he likes.
Anyhow, I have used it in the following routine. Due to the fact that the backs of the nines and tens have been marked,
he will stop dealing with either a nine or a ten on top of the cards in his
Required: hand or on top of the pile on the table. Point to the required card and ask
A deck of red backed Bicycle cards set as follows: X, X, X, X, X, 9, X, 10, X, 9, X, him to deal it face down to the table. Point to the card on top of his cards
10, X, 9, X, 10, X, 9, X, 10, X, rest of deck (X represents any indifferent card). and have it flipped face up saying, "Had you stopped one card later, you
would have had that card." Point to the card on top of the tabled cards up the deck of cards, and have him shuffle them. Now you can enjoy all
and have it flipped face up saying, "Had you stopped one card earlier, the old gags normally associated with the invisible deck routine,such as ...
you would have had that card." Have his chosen card flipped face up. If when they shuffle the deck, "You might like to take them out of the
it is a nine,ask'B'to deal down nine cards and then turn the next card face card case first!" and "You've dropped one!" etc.
up... it will be his selected card! If'A' has stopped dealing on a ten,ask'B'to
deal down ten cards and then turn the final card of the deal face up... it will Have the spectator look through the cards to verify that they are all
be his selected card! different!

The sequence used before the trick begins, to cut the deck into three piles Ask him to shuffle them again and then hand you ANY card without
etc., belongs to Jay Ose. looking at its face. By now you will have stolen the thumb tip (or have
been wearing it throughout). Mime taking the card from him with your
right hand, keeping the fingers uppermost and the thumb hidden below
them.

Now show the card to him, folding your fingers into a loose fist so that the
INVISIBLE thumb tip is facing him and he can see the index of the card stuck on it.
Say, "Will you help me?" then ask if he can see the card and WINK at him,
This is a hands-off variation of my 'Invisible Deck' first published in my with your right eye, as you ask this. You will instantly know if he has seen
'Dobson's Choice - Special Effects' book. the card index stuck on the thumb tip and iswilling to play along. If he
hasn't, askthat he look more closely, until he has seen the card index and
Required: knows that the card is the 3 of Clubs. He has effectively been made into
an ' Instant Stooge: Ask him to remember the card, emphasising that he
A plastic thumb tip with the indexof a card glued to it on the side opposite mustn't forget it or the trick won't work.
the nail. Let's assume the index is from a 3 of Clubs. Also needed is an
envelope containing a 3 of Clubs. Note: He sees the card index on the thumb tip, but no one else does!
Hand the invisible card back to him. Tell him that he can keep it, the rest
Set up: of the invisible cards, and even the invisible card case as a souvenir for
helping you. He'll mime putting these away in his pocket. You could even
I place the envelope on my lap, but you can place it anywhere you like. let him keep the invisible table if you like!
Because I am sat in a wheelchair, the envelope never leaves the audience's
sight. I start the routine wearing the thumb tip, but you may prefer to steal 1 Ask him to now take the envelope, which you hand to him.
(and wear) it later in the routine. Recap what has happened, saying that he had a free choice of any card
etc.
Performance: Ask him (your instant stooge) to tell everyone what card he selected. He
Explain to the person invited up to help (sat on your right) there is an will say that it was the 3 of Clubs (see End Notes).
invisible deck of cards on an invisible table between you. Ask him to pick
 It only remains for you to ask him to remove the playing card from the From the red deck deal the top card face up onto the table,on the back of
envelope and show everyone that it too is the 3 of Clubs then ... take your the second card you write in BIG letters the name ofthe first card.You then
applause! turn this card face up and deal it face up onto the first card. On the back of
the third card you write the name of the second card. Again you turn this
End Notes: I make no apologies for the fact that I am absolutely obsessed card face up and deal it onto the second card on the table.This process is
with this effect. I actually performed the above version 72 times recently repeated throughout the whole deck.
when Iwas appearing on Joe Pasquale's touring show.At every performance
it got a TERRIFIC response. I had a Brainwave deck in my pocket ... just in Note: The first card that was dealt onto the table at present has nothing
case it went wrong, but it never did. In fact, after about the tenth show, I written on its back. You write on this card the identity of the last card
stopped carrying the Brainwave Deck with me. dealt.
You can now shuffle the red deck. Place one of the red backed jokers on
When I say that it "never" went wrong, I am telling a lie. It did go wrong the top of this deck. All the other jokers can be discarded, as they won't be
once, but only once ... one night I failed to notice that the card index had needed.
fallen off the thumb tip. I was sat there asking the spectator if he could see
the invisible card. He said he couldn't. So, I said, look really carefully, you Take the blue deck and reverse its order by dealing them face down onto
must be able to see something. He stared intently at my hand for a few the table. Place the two decks into their respective cases and you're all
seconds and then said, loud enough for everyone to hear,"Wel!, I can see set.
that you have a plastic thumb!" I don't know who was laughing the most
me or the audience! Note: A lot of preparation is required, but once completed that's it!

Presentation:

Start with both cased decks side by side on the table.

SECOND CHANCE Ask someone to remove the blue deck from its case, turn the cards face
down and give the deck a few complete cuts.
Required:
Ask him to think of any card, then spread the cards faces towards him and
One red and one blue backed deck of cards plus a black Sharpie pen. look for his card. When he sees it, he is to cut the deck so that his card is

I
I
Set Up:
at the face of the deck, staring. at him. When he has done this, he is then
asked to remove his card and place it face down on the table.

II, Take the blue deck, remove the jokers and give the cards a good shuffle. Have him turn the deck face up and insert his card face down somewhere
Take the red deck, remove the jokers and arrange the cards in the same near the centre so that you don't see its face. You, however, simply
-t order as the blue deck. Turn both decks face down and put them side by remember the face card of the deck!
I side.
!
I
Have him now put the deck back into its case and leave it on the table. Note: It is a good idea to make a crib sheet of the stack,so that you can set
the blue backed cards again just in case they ever become mixed.
You now recap on what has happened and say to the spectator: "You
thought of any card and you reversed it in the deck. You then put the
deck back into its case. I have not touched the deck even once have
I?" Once he agrees that what you have said is correct, you then proceed
as follows: BIRTHDAY CARD
Ask him to remove the red backed deck from its case and spread it face
up on the table. When he removes the deck be careful that he does not Preparation:
expose the writing on the backs of the cards - the red backed joker (with
nothing written on its back) on top of this deck helps.You can also virtually Take your 52 card deck, and, with a large indelible black marker pen, write
ensure that they don't see the writing on the backs of the cards by placing the words "Happy Birthday" on the back of your Se. Take a blank backed
the deck into its case with the faces pointing toward the blue paper seal. SC and write the words "YOUR BIRTHDAY" on its blank surface then put
this card into your card case with the writing side uppermost. Your deck of
Explain that you will now try to select the very same card that the spectator cards stays outside the card case and set up as follows ...
is only thinking of. Set-up

Ask him to slide forward, from the face up spread, the card that you All cards face down ... Nine random 'X' cards, SC with "Happy Birthday"
glimpsed earlier at the face of the blue backed deck (let's assume it was written on its back, X, X, X, 50, X, X, X, X, 1~C, X, X, X, AH, 5H, X, X, X, 25,105, X,
the Four of Clubs). Note: On the back of this card will be written the name X, X, 2C, 5C, X, X, X, 3D, 100, X, X, X, 35, 55, X, X, X, 4H, 1OH, X, X, X.
of the card that the spectator is thinking of - the one he reversed in the
blue backed deck! Performance:

Ask him not to say anything just yet, but remove his thought of card from With the deck sitting face up on your table, next to the card case, you say
the blue deck, and place it face up on the table. that you have a prediction in the card case. Explain that it is a blank card
Everyone will now notice that both cards are different and that you are and you have written "something" on it. Ask the spectator for his birthday.
wrong! Let's assume he says it's April 22nd. You now say,"Would you be amazed if
I have written YOUR BIRTHDAY on the card in the card case?"He'li say that
Recognise this then ask for a second chance to prove that you have found he would be. Have him open the. card case and slide out the card (without
the very same card that he thought of. Once they agree to your request, turning it over) to discover the words YOUR BIRTHDAY are written on the
ask the spectator to turn the red backed card face down and read out your card! The old ones are the best! Have the card left on the table writing side
prediction. It matches! uppermost.

Reset: All you need do is put the red card anywhere into the red deck and Explain that was just a gag, but as he said April 22nd, you mentally add the
the blue card on the top or the bottom of the blue deck. month to the date ie. (as April is the 4th month) 4 + 22 = 26.
 If you look at the set up above ... You must visualise the 5D as being 5 cards pile. The NEXT card, sitting on the face of those he is holding, will be the
above (in the face up deck) your force card (the BC), the 10C as being 10 26th card - the BC (your force card).
above it, the 5H as being 15 above it (the AH is immediately before it in
the stack, so see the two cards, side-by-side, as being a 1 and a 5 ie. 15)' Have him deal it off face up next to your gag card (the card with YOUR
the 105 as being 20 above it (the 25 is immediately before it in the stack BIRTHDAY written on it).
so see the two cards, side-by-side, as being a 2 and a 0 ie. 20), the 5C as
being 25 above it (the 2C is immediately before it in the stack so see the Rememberthat hejust dealt 25 cards into a face down pile -this has shown
two cards, side-by-side, as being a 2 and a 5 ie. 25), the 10D as being 30 that NOTHING is written on the backs of these cards. Ask the spectator to
above it (the 3D is immediately before it in the stack so see the two cards, turn the remaining cards in his hand face down and spread them across
side-by-side, as being a 3 and a 0 ie. 30), the 55 as being 35 above it (the the table ... NOTHING is written on the backs of these cards.
35 is immediately before it in the stack so see the two cards, side-by-side,
as being a 3 and a 5 ie. 35) and finally the 1OH as being 40 above it (the 4H 5ay, "Do you know how I know that the 8e is your birthday card?" No
. is immediately before it in the stack so see the two cards, side-by-side, as matter what he replies, have him turn the gag card over (the one with
. being a 4 and a 0 ie.40). YOUR BIRTHDAY written on it) to reveal the BC on the other side!
As a final kicker finish, point out that it only remains for you to wish him a
Once you have locked these cards in your mind, you are ready to proceed. happy birthday, and then have him turn the card he selected (the BC) over
If you have difficulty doing this, use a crib sheet that you can secretly refer to reveal that it has the words HAPPY BIRTHDAY written on its back! Have
to. him pick up the cards he spread face down across the table, flip them face
up and add the face up BC (the one with HAPPY BIRTHDAY on its back) to
Because the spectator's birth date (April 22nd) represents 26, the nearest the face of these cards. Ask him to pick up the pile of face down cards, flip
card to this number in the stack is the card that is 25 cards above the BC them face up and add them to the face of the cards in his hand. Have him
ie. the SC (or you if you are able bodied) cut the deck to bring the 1OH fourth from
the face.The deck is now re-set.ltjust remains for him to replace the blank
Ask the spectator to spread the cards out face up across the table. You backed card back in the card case and you are ready to perform again.
now need to spot the 5C in the stack and name, as your birthday card, the
card that is 26 cards above the BCin other words the card to the right of Note: My Birthday Card routine effect has been marketed, and
the SC professionally produced, by JB Magic (www.jbtvusa.com).1 would like to
thank Mark Mason for giving his permission for it to also appear here in a
Although I have referred to many cards in the stack as 'X; let's assume that slightly modified form.
you spot the QH next to the SC and it is 26 cards above the BC You now
say, "By the way, my birthday card is the QH. Everybody has one, but the
QH is mine.Would you scoop up the spread again, hold the cards towards
yourself, spread through and find my QH.I'd now like you to cut the cards
(completing the cut) so that my QH becomes the face card of the deck."

Have him pick up the deck and deal 25 cards off into a face down tabled
 cards won't end up all over the floor!
TOSSED DECK
Ask him to return to his seat, with the deck, and then 'peek' the indice of
one of the cards. Point out that he only has to riffle down the upper left
The following routine, from my professional stand up act (or in my cas~, sit corner with his thumb, stopping at some point, then peek into the gap in
down act), contains my added psychological nuances, and extra gag lines order to see the indice of the card at that point.
to David Hoy's original 'Tossed Deck' routine. ..
Without wishing to detract from the original, I always found that It received Have him now peek a card and remember it! I keep eye contact with him
a muted response from the audience. This was, I think, because when all so that he is less likely to look at the deck until noting the card he's stopped
three assistants sit down at the same time ... the audience is confused as at. finally, I make 100% sure that he has SEEN a card, as this prevents him
to what has actually happened. This confusion results in 'polite' applause, from just making a card up later.
when they should really be giving you an ovation! If you perform it as
outlined below, you will be amazed at the increased level of response and Once he has peeked at a card I say, "What's your name?" Let's assume
applause. he replies,"BiU." I then say, What's your first name?" He'll reply"BiII." I
then say,"What .•. Bill Bill?"
Required:
I now address a lady seated somewhere in the middle of the audience and
Two elastic bands, and a three way force deck with one indifferent card at say, "What's your name? The pretty lady there." She tells me and I say,
the face. "No, the pretty lady." I'm only joking. What's your name?" Let's assume
she says, "Julie."
Set-up:
I now turn back to Bill and say, "Bill, I'd like you to walk over and hand
My own force deck is made up of the QC, 9D and the 4S with a JD at tile the deck to Julie. Or you can CAREFULLY toss it to her."The deck is now
face. However, you may wish to use your own cards so I will refer to the in the possession of Julie.
values as X, Yand Z. Alternate the deck X, Y, Z, X, Y, Z, X etc. throughout, set
the indifferent card (a complete contrast to the three force cards) at the Julie now peeks at a card, then I say, "Julie I'd like you to carefully toss
face then wrap both elastic bands, widthways, around the centre of the the deck to a gentleman that you've never met before." Before she can
deck. I use two bands ... in case one breaks! I start with the banded deck do this I quickly add, "This could take some time. I tell you what, toss
either Sitting on a table or on the stage. it to that guy over there." I indicate another man sat on the right side of
the audience. Have this man als~ peek at a card.
Performance:
I then say to him, "I have studied the ancient history and meanings of
Ask someone (a man from the left side of your audience) to come forward surnames. What's your surname?" Let's assume he says, "Smith." I then
and pick up the deck, as you explain that to prevent any incredible sleight say, "Smith, that means good looking and intelligent. What's your first
of hand on your part you won't touch the cards. Also point out that later, name?" Let's assume he says, "Tony." I then say, "Tony, that means... not
when the cards are tossed to someone, because of the elastic bands - the very." I now say, "Tony would you please toss the deck back to me (or
near to me) on the stage." When he tosses the deck up onto the stage, wilder. But because you know they'll go wilder than you (indicating
I quickly add the words, "When I say so." I now look down at the deck the left), you'll go even wilder to start with. But because you know
and say, "tknow what you're all thinking ... was that gravity or does the (indicating the right) that they know that you know... oh it doesn't
ea rth suck?" matter. However, I do think you'll (indicating the right) go wild the best,
so don't let me down."
Now for the revelations of the three 'THOUGHT OF' cards! For the sake
of description, let's assume that the force cards present in your deck are Ask each side of the audience to have a try at going wild. "First you."
the nine of hearts, three of diamonds and the king of spades. Ask each of (indicating the left - asking them not to let you down), "And now you."
the three people who are THINKING of their cards to stand up but, point (indicating the right and asking them not to let you down). When it all dies
out that they are not to give you any clues about their cards. Ask them down, turn to the right side and say, "I was wrong! However, if do get
to concentrate. You then deliver a spiel along the lines of... "I'm seeing three out of three, I'd like you to ALL go wild together!"
a red card ... quite high in value ... it's a heart... the nine of hearts! I
see another card ... another red card butthis time it's a diamond... the "Now Tony (I always use their names) don't let me down but, if I have
three of diamonds. The final card is black ... a court card .. oiI spade ... named the card you were THINKING of... please sit down." He does,
Yes, the king of spades." and the final applause will be thunderous!

Note: As you name each card, you casually glance at each spectator. What End notes: ! understand that the gags I have given to you will not be to
this does is physiologically convince the audience that you are correctly everybody's taste, however they suit my style and delivery and they fit
defining each spectator's card! The following nuance is a nice touch and very nicely into the routine.
INCREASES the applause you are about to receive. I say to the person
on the left side of the audience (Bill), "Bill, if I have named the card you
were THINKING of... please sit down." Bill does and! quickly say to tlge
audience, before they applaud, "There are two ways of doing this, with
applause or the way we're doing it now."
ECHO
Turn to the person in the middle (Julie) and say, "Julie, that's one out of
three but, if I get two out of three this audience will go wild. Now, if I
have named the card you were THINKING of... please sit down." Julie What you have here is a routine that has served me extremely well overthe
does,and the applause will be MUCH louder! years.! have used it in TV, cabaret and in my stage and theatre shows, but
it registers strongest in corporat!'! work when you use the MD, or someone
Turn to the final person on your right (Tony) and say, "Tony, if I get three that everybody knows. The basic effect was inspired by the American
out of three the audience will go REALLY wild. In fact, we're going to magician, the late Karrel Fox. You teach the spectator a card trick by giving
try a very old theatrical technique now. I'd like to split the audience him obvious verbal cues and, at the finish, neither he nor the audience are
into two halves - the left and the right. This side (indicating the left) aware of how it was accomplished!
can go wild first, and this side (indicating the right) can go wild second.
But because you've heard that side go wild, you'll psychologically go What is absolutely certain ... is ten minutes of solid entertainment!
You say: "This is a trick that you can show the kids at Christmas." Nod at him again - and he shows you the 6th card. Look at it, as if it's the
Spectator says:"This is a trick that you can show the kids at Christmas." wrong card.

You say: "However, if you've got no kids?" You say: "Will you remember the card?"

Spectator says: "However, if you've got no kids?" Spectator says: "Will you remember the card?"

You say:"It's too late for Christmas."The spectator won't be able to repeat You say: "Yes, I will remember it, because it's the wrong one."
this gag, due to the fact that you will get the laugh.
Spectator says: "Yes, I will remember it, because it's the wrong one."
You say: "I first performed this trick for the patients of the local mental
hospital." Look puzzled, as if you don't know what to do next. Act as if you've had an
idea then ...
Spectator says: "I first performed this trick for the patients of the local You say: "Would you like to change your mind?"
mental hospital."
Spectator says: "Would you like to change your mind?"
You say: "So I would like to apologise to anybody in the audience, who is
seeing this for the second time."Once again you will get the laugh and the You say: "Actually, I would."
spectator won't be able to repeat the gag.
Spectator says: "Actually, I would."
You say: "Now think of any number from 1 to 10."
You say: "Which card would you like?"
Spectator says: "Now think of any number 1 to 10."
Spectator says: "Which card would you like?"
Think for a few seconds and then You say:"Six."
Spectator says: "Six." You say: "The next one."

You say: "I will move 5 cards from the top to the bottom." Spectator says: "The next one."

Spectator says: "I will move 5 cards from the top to the bottom." Have him put the first card he showed you to the bottom, and show you
the next card.
You nod at him - and he will move 5 cards from the top to the bottom.
Special thanks to MarkMasonforthis wonderful bit of business ofchoosing
You say: "I'm now going to show you the 6th card." the wrong card.

Spectator says: "I'm now going to show you the 6th card." You say: "I won't look at the card."
You say: "For the first time, what was the name of your card?"
Spectator says:"For the first time, what was the name of your card?"

You say: "The Four of Hearts"

Spectator says: "The Four of Hearts."

You now look at the spectator as though he is to finish the trick. He will
look at you with a vacant expression, which will get a BIG laugh.

You then say, in a very commanding voice, "Well, it's your trick!"This will
get another BIG laugh.

You say: "It can't be the Four of Hearts!"

Spectator says: "It can't be the Four of Hearts!"

You say: "Why?" This will get a BIG laugh, as the spectator will act very
puzzled as what to do next!

You say: "Because I'm sitting on it."

Spectator says: "Because I'm sitting on it."

You say: "You're joking. Stand up and show me."

At this point you act very excited as to how he is going to finish the trick.
For the BIG finish, instruct the spectator to remove the card that he has
been sitting on throughout, and show it to you and the audience.

The spectator (but really you) at this point will receive a massive round of
applause.

© Copyright Wayne Dobson 2011