The Target Card

Described By Jeff Stone

But First:
Before we dive into this month’s free trick, I think you’ll be very interested to know that you can now see a video demo of two of our past free tricks of the month. Both The Coolest Ace Trick in The World from the October 2007 issue, and Jacked Up from the October 2008 issue now have video demos. Likely there will be more to come, so stay tuned!

Introduction:
This effect can be found in the Stone Cold Magic DVD and companion E-Book. This is another one of those simple effects that can be done with a borrowed and shuffled deck. It has a fun presentational angle, and is quite a stunning effect. Pretty much every strolling gig I do includes this effect in my set.

Effect:
A signed selected card disappears from one packet of cards and reappears in another packet of cards right next another signed selection.

Performance:
Have a card selected and signed. While the card is being signed, you are holding the deck in left hand dealer’s grip. Your right hand is holding it from above, with the right fingers at the front of the deck and the right thumb at the back.With the left little finger, pull down (or buckle) two cards from the bottom of the deck and get a break above them with the right thumb. Use the right index finger to kick cut the top half of the deck into the left hand.Have the spectator place the selected card on top of the left hand packet. Use the right hand (which is still holding a break under the deck) to slide the selected card forward with the right finger tips (see fig. 1).

Rotate your left hand palm down as you release the thumb break, allowing the two cards to be added above the selection (see fig. 2a). Note: the right hand has been removed from figure 2a for the sake of clarity. This is a Wesley James add on move. Figure 2a shows your left hand before you turn it over. Your situation should be as follows: The right hand is holding half of the face down deck from above. The left hand is holding the other half of the deck face up with the signed card third from the top, jogged forward about two inches (see fig. 2b).

As far of the audience is concerned, the signed card is on top. Next, using the right index finger, point to the face of the signed card. Say, “This is going to be the bullet.” Use your left index finger to push the bullet square with the deck. Then turn the deck face down at the same time, and hold it in your left hand in dealer’s grip. Your right index finger now breaks the pack like you would for a kick cut.

The left hand thumbs the top card (apparently the bullet) into the break of the right hand packet (see fig. 3).

Close the break and table the packet as you say, “This is our gun (so you just loaded the bullet into the gun).” Now turn over the top card of the left packet and have it signed. Take it back, and replace it face up on top of the face down left packet. Now pick up the top two cards (back to back), as one, with the right hand (you will actually have the two selected cards back to back). Say, “This is our target card.” Revolve the left hand palm down, and riffle with the left thumb about half way down the deck. Place the double in the break jogged forward about two inches (see fig. 4).

With the right fingers under the double and the thumb on top, secretly push the bullet (which is under the target) flush into the deck, and leave the target card jogged as you turn the deck face down again (see fig. 5).

The action in figure five should not be seen by the audience. This is the upside down view of the move. Push the target card flush with the deck. Next, table the packet, and pick up the other packet (the gun). Perform the best Incomplete Faro you can. It doesn’t have to be very good at all. Now bend the two packets to form a “v” shape or a gun (see fig. 6). The idea of shaping the deck into a gun using the Faro Shuffle is an idea by Peter Kane.

Say, “This is our gun.” Hand it to the spectator, and ask him to shoot at the target packet. Take the gun back, and square up the cards. Spread them, face up, to show that the bullet has left the chamber (the bullet card is gone from the spread). Spread the other packet face down, and the bullet card will be face up. “Well, it looks like you hit the target pile. Let’s see if you hit the target card.” The card under the bullet will be the target card.
Pull it out and show it (see fig 7).

Notes:

This effect is one that David has been performing for over 10 years. It’s very fun and entertaining for the audience. When I do this effect, I actually have a small cap gun in my pocket that will fit in the palm of my hand (I bought it at Wal-Mart). Right at the critical moment when the spectator is about to “pull the trigger,” I sneak the gun out of my pocket and pull the trigger. It lets out a huge bang and scares everybody, and most importantly, it gets a laugh. It just makes the routine a little more fun. Also, the addition of having the spectators sign the card was not in the original handling created by David. It is not necessary, but I find that it just helps eliminate the possibility of a duplicate card being used. Anyway, I hope you have fun with it. I certainly have. Try out the cap gun thing.

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