#3: Lite-Ning Addition

EFFECT:

The performer hands a deck out for unlimited shuffling. Now a person is told to fan the cards and hold them facing toward himself. He is now told to make a free choice between either an Ace or Deuce, remove it from the deck and place it face down on the table. Now he is told to remove either a Three or Four and likewise place it face down on the table.

This is repeated with the Five and Six... Seven and Eight... Nine and Ten... Jack (11) and Queen (12). Remember, the choice of any odd or even cards is not influenced in any manner. The moment that the spectator has removed the final of the six cards selected, the performer immediately announces the total number that the cards add up to. What is more, you may repeat the effect immediately and get a different total. The cards are not arranged in any manner.

SECRET:

While the deck is an ordinary one, it has undergone a bit of preparation. Select a card having a center design, and with a razor blade, scrape a spot the size of a match head on some part of the design. The closest observer won't even notice it. Only the even cards are marked in this manner. By even cards, we mean the 2—4—6 —8—10—Q. Shuffle cards, and you are ready.

HOW TO PERFORM:

Hand deck to be shuffled, and instruct someone to fan deck toward himself and select either an Ace or Deuce, and place it on the table, face down. Repeat with the 2—3, 4—5, 6—7, 8—9, etc. Unknown to the assistant, you are making a mental note of the card she is placing down on the table, whether it is an odd or even card by the center code mark. You need not try to mentally add the total of the cards as they are placed on the table. All you have to remember is how many even cards in the six. The total is already figured out for you. Your Key Number is 36.

In other words, you simply add one to 36 for every even card in the bunch of six.