Rough and Ready
Introduction
by Jeff Stone
Sam the Bellhop meets Billy the Kid. That’s what you get when A guy like Diamond Jim gets his paws on the full deck story plot.
Diamond Jim most often performs in full character as a period-correct 19th century US Marshal (ala Pat Garrett).So as you read, in his own words, the following description keep in mind the character who will be performing.
However, don’t feel obligated to don a 10 gallon hat and a six shooter to perform this effect. The real point of including it in this month’s issue is to show you the value of customizing routines to fit you and your personality. This version of the full-deck story plot is a perfect example of making the magic your own.
-Jeff Stone
Here’s my concept of a deck story.. I hope you like!
First I premise the story as a skill, not magic, and just for them, and just for tonight, I am going to tell the story and do my best to make it rhyme. In fact if my sidekick is around, he shoves his gun in my side and tells me “to make it rhyme.” A good bit of comedy can be played with. The key here is not to memorize the poem to a rote, but deliver it in a fashion that looks like your are really “reaching” for it.
Rough and Ready
From the town of Rough and Ready, come this western fable,
A grueling duel fought out at the poker table.
(If you are going to Faro shuffle do it now, see bottom for further info).
The dealer Jack (JC) was one tough man,
With a pair of six shooters (6S 6D) Saloon Number 3 (3S) he ran.
He’d killed nine (9D) men from this here town,
And Marshall Black (KC) wanted him 6 feet (6H) down.
T’was the 7th (7S) of October (10H) just after Four (4H),
When the shadow of his rival, darkened the door.
Ketchum (KD) was a wealthy man, wore a two carrot (2D) pin,
And three of the town harlots (QH QC QD) followed him in.
He called Jack, on a game to play,
T’was a five (5S) dollar ante, table that day.
The two (2H) sat down, and the cards were shuffled,
Just like that the ante was doubled (10C).
(Faro again after the word shuffled, making sure to retain the top two cards on this shuffle. See the bottom again).
Six (6C) hands were dealt, five (5H) card stud,
Four (4C) men quit too rich for their blood.
A pair of threes (3D 3C), a nine (9S), a King (KH), and an eight (8C),
Jacks hand of cards ain’t lookin’ so great.
Ketchum winked at a gal, ran his hand through his hair,
Then laid down his cards fives and sevens (5C 5D 7D 7C) two pair.
Looks like I’ve won said Ketchum to Jack,
“Hold on a second (2S), you’ll get shot in the back.”
‘Cause best four (4S) or seven (7H) wins here tonight (2C),
And thus had started a gamblers delight.
With the hands tied a three (3H), the saloon went dead,
Nine (9H) beads of sweat dripped from Jacks head.
Because he had duped Ketchum to throw in,
The deed to his ranch, his watch, and his pin.
(Start dealing two hands stopping at four cards each).
Then one of the gals loosened her blouse,
Ketchum called his last card and laid down a full house (AC AD AH 8D 8S).
(Use the next card to turn over the hand).
I got you now, Jack you old lush!
Then Jack laid down his own royal flush (AS KS QS JS 10S).
(Again use the next card to turn over the hand).
Ketchum’s face when red (JD), Jack get to your feet,
The bartender (JH) threw them both to the street.
They drew on each other as the crowd gathered ’round,
Four (4D) shots were fired, Ketchum fell to the ground.
Fatally (8H) wounded, shot through the “heart”,
Someone yelled for the Doc as the crowd moved apart.
Jacks Colt had nine notches (9C) for each of the dead men,
He smiled as he nodded notch number ten (10D).
Well you have the idea. I added to the routine by adding a couple of Faro Shuffles. The stack become a bit more intricate, but not impossible, and the fairness of the shuffles is an added convincer that this has to be made up on the spot.
I also randomly add a couple false cuts, and finally at the final poker hands I deal out two hands, using the final card in each hand to turn them over.
Regular Stack:
JC, 6S, 6D, 3S, 9D, KC, 6H, 7S, 10H, 4H, KD, 2D, QH, QC, QD, 5S, 2H, 10C, 6C, 5H, 4C, 3D, 3C, 9S, KH, 8C, 5C, 5D, 7D, 7C, 2S, 4S, 7H, 2C, 3H, 9H, AC, AD, AH, 8D, 8S, AS, KS, QS, JS, 10S, JD, JH, 4D, 8H, 9C, 10D
Here’s the stack for the shuffles: JC, 6D, 9D, 6H, 10H, KD, QH, QD, 2H, 6C, 3C, 5C, 2S, 3H, AC, AD, JD, 9C, 3D, 8C, 7C, 2C, KS, JS, AS, 8H, 6S, 3S, KC, 7S, 4H, 2D, QC, 5S, 10C, 4C, KH, 7D, 7H, 8D, AH, 8S, 4D, 5H, 9S, 5D, 4S, 9H, QS, 10S, JH, 10D Cut at the 8H for first shuffle, then 9C for second shuffle.
Again I cannot emphasize how important it is to peek that the cards ahead, and really ham up the concept that you are making this up on the spot. Maybe someday, I’ll get to show this one to you personally.
I hope you enjoy!
~Jim
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