Monte' Crysto
The cards are shuffled by a spectator who then selects a number and notes the card at that position.
The magician then cuts the deck and hands the cards back to the spectator and asks that they deal off the same number off cards that they mentioned a moment earlier.
Turning over the top card the spectator is asked if that is their card - of course, it is not !
The magician takes up the cards and deals the same number of cards.
Employing
a special 'count' the top card is turned over and found to be the sighted card !
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Requirements:
One extra card in your right hand or pocket.
Learn how to 'Palm' a card and execute the 'false cut' described below.
Method.
The cards are shuffled by a spectator. The spectator is asked to name a number between 5 and 15 (say 7).
They are then asked to count down to that number (without reversing or changing the order of the cards) and note the card at that position (say King of Diamonds).
Note: Demonstrate the count before commencing the trick.
The counted cards are placed back onto the top of the deck.
Take back the deck with your left hand, bring your left hand across to meet your right hand, secretly adding the palmed card ( in your right hand/pocket ) to the top of the deck.
Now, without calling attention to it, make the false cut .
Ask for the number previously announced -"Seven" will be the reply.
Hand back the cards saying "Please deal off that number of cards and turn over the top card."
When the final card is turned you say in a firm tone "Is that the card which you noted ?"
"No" will be the reply.
Acting surprised say "Oh well, perhaps the cards are not behaving themselves today or maybe we didn't count correctly !"
Position check : The top card of the deck is now the sighted card.
Take up all the cards, placing the dealt cards on the bottom.
Hold the cards in the dealing position.
"Let's see... The number you chose was seven - correct ?."
"And what was the card you sighted at that position" you ask.
"King of Diamonds" will be the answer (in this case).
You now announce that this time you will use a very special count, the 'Count of Monte' Crysto'.
Pick up the dealt packet of cards, begin dealing them face-down.
Count aloud as you deal - using an amusing 'distinguished' accent ! - like so:- A wan.. A tooo... A tree... A fow.....
When you arrive at the last card repeat the chosen number and name of the sighted card aloud "Zee number seven and the zee King of Diamonds - Yes ? "
Casually toss the last card face-up, revealing the seventh (last) card as their card (KD).
So saying "The Count of Monte' Crysto always finds the treasure !"
The False Cut.
The deck is held in the left hand as if ready to deal.
The right hand reaches over as if to cut the cards - but instead of taking the top half of the deck the right hand thumb and index finger grip the lower half of the deck - these cards are slid out and slapped lightly on the table, with exactly the same action as if the deck had been cut normally (practice this in a mirror).
At the moment the lower cards are slid out, the top half of the deck is allowed to drop onto the palm of the hand.
This half is then slapped lightly on top of the tabled cards (these actions must appear as normal as possible).
If done correctly, it will seem to be a perfectly 'legal' cut.