#2: Face Up Prediction

EFFECT:

A most surprising effect performed with any deck of cards at a moment's notice as no preparation is required. This is different in principle than The Magic Separation and is a good follow-up effect in that face-up cards are again used. The performer announces he will make a prediction and writes something on a piece of paper which he asks someone to keep until the completion of the effect.

A deck of cards is freely shuffled, and someone is requested to assist in the experiment. The deck is handed out with the request that the assistant make two piles say ten or twelve cards in each pile. The number of cards in each pile does not have to be the same. The deck is put aside for the moment.

Now the performer turns his back and further instructs the assistant to turn any amount of cards he wishes face-up from one to whatever number of cards the pile contains. Now whatever is reversed in the first pile should equally be turned face up in the second pile, and the piled squared up. Now he is told to choose any of the piles, place it on top of the deck and hand the deck to the performer.

The performer explains he will add enough cards to the number reversed in the deck to make the complete total he wrote on a piece of paper. The deck is placed on the table, and the remaining pile is now placed on top of the deck. The assistant is told to look through the deck and find all the reversed cards say twenty cards are found... the paper is opened, and the numbers tally.

SECRET and HOW TO PERFORM:

Write a number on a piece of paper. A number higher than 18 and no higher than 30 is preferred. Fold the paper and give it to someone to keep. Hand the deck to be shuffled and ask the assistance of some member of the audience. Have them make two piles, and while your back is turned, they are to reverse any number of cards in the pile. They should also turn over face up the same number of cards in the remaining pile. Now let them place any of the piles on top of the deck and hand you the cards. 

You face them and place cards behind your back. You count off the top of the deck with the right hand the exact number of cards you have written on your prediction. Now turn these cards over and place them so reversed anywhere in the deck. Bring the deck to the front, place it on the table, and have them place the remaining pile on top of the deck. The trick is finished; all that remains is to look through the deck, find the face-up cards, and read the prediction.