Card mastery with which is combined the expert at the card table

A

\t\ THE CARD^ttETECTIVE

INCLUDING COMPLETE TEXT OF

EXPERT AT THE CARD TABLE

Michael M acDougall Internationally known as The Card Detective, this clever deceptionist

has

acquired

the

name Mickey among his intimates.

In his travels he has acquired a vast storehouse of interesting anecdotes based upon events and situations created by the tricksters of the underworld.

So, Mickey turned author, and his first best seller, Gamblers Don't Gamble, was followed by Danger in the Cards, and, more recently by MacDougall on Dice and Cards. He has written many "Gambling" articles for the American Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Life, Reader's Digest, etc.

True,

ST.

J

CARD MASTERY

with which is combined

"THE EXPERT AT THE CARD TABLE"

Other works by MICHAEL MACDOUGALL

GAMBLERS DON'T

GAMBLE

DANGER IN THE CARDS MACDOUGALL ON DICE AND CARDS

Also " G a m b l i n g " articles in: American Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Reader's Digest, Life, True, Etc.

CARD MASTERY by MICHAEL M A C D O U G A L L The Card Detective Edited by RALPH W. READ • 58 specially posed drawings by "Yoshi" •

•

•

Published by

CIRCLE 1661 Broadway

MAGIC

SHOP

New York 19, N. Y.

Copyright, 1944 by Circle Magic Shop COPYRIGHT IN CANADA AND IN ALL COUNTRIES SUBSCRIBING TO THE BERNE CONVENTION All rights reserved: No part of this book, text or illustrations, may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.

Printed in U. S. A.

PREFACE T TERE is the first book in many a moon to offer anything really new in the way of card manipulating.

Michael MacDougall has gained his reputation as an exposer of crooked gamblers and he confines himself to gambler's moves. Nevertheless, there are many sleights included which are useful to the magician.

The way of explaining the sleights is as modern as most of the moves. Instead of a cut and dried, do this or do that, style of writing, the author has employed a chatty, easily understood method, often interspersing the explanations with valuable hints as to the best use of the sleight.

As to the tricks themselves—they are superlative. Not all are difficult to master, so the amateur as well as the expert can find something of value.

Michael MacDougall's proven ability with the pasteboards is a guarantee that the sleights are the best known to present day manipulators. I have seen The Card Detective perform and can truthfllly say that he executes every move herein with unusual grace and precision.

MacDougall is not satisfied with an effect unless it can be done in such a way that the move is absolutely invisible. Even this is not good enough—many of the sleights are accomplished so naturally that no one even suspects that anything is wrong.

Most top-notch card men pride themselves on their mastery of gambler's sleights. But, few, if any, magicians can do anything in an actual game. That MacDougall can operate under test conditions is proven by his acceptance of a challenge from America's best bridge experts.

Here is a description of the game as published In Reader's Digest of May, 1939: "On November 9, 1938, Michael MacDougall, at a demonstration at the Cavendish Club of New York, proved that a clever card sharp can do just about as he pleases in a bridge game against top-notch experts.

"Before 100 luminaries of the bridge world, MacDougall played a game with Howard Schenken and B. Jay Becker as adversaries. Two ordinary decks were thoroughly mixed and handed to the players. MacDougall shuffled the blue deck and Schenken the red. After the red deck had been well mixed it was cut by Becker, and dealt by MacDougall. Before dealing, MacDougall announced that he would hid six notrumps. With 100 pairs of expert eyes fastened on his hands, he dealt and made six no-trumps.

"Then Schenken dealt the blue pack. This had been in full view from the time it was given to MacDougall to riffle. Nevertheless, after the cards had been cut and dealt, MacDougall received all 13 spades.

"MacDougall accomplished it all by expert manipulation of the cards during the shuffle and the deal."

At the request of police departments and judges, MacDougall has been called into court as a government expert to judge the character of cards and dice found in raids.

Only one thoroughly familiar with the cheater's methods could have detected some of the subtle secret markings, or the minute shaving on what proved to be strippers.

Knowing the author's ability, it is with confidence that we present these pages for the entertainment and enlightenment of card manipulators, magicians and players.

The Publisher VI

CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION

10

DEFINITION OF TERMS RELATING TO THE DECK A GRAND OPENING

.

.

12 14

Seven Hands of Satan

14

CHAPTER I—DEALING SECONDS

17

A Striking Second The Double-Dealing Second For Experts Only Extra Fancy Seconds One-Handed Second Tricky "Thirds"

17 19 21 23 25 26

CHAPTER II—CARD IDENTIFICATION

28

Knick-Knacks Poker Player's Paradise Peek-A-Boo Gambler's Glimpse CHAPTER III—SUBWAY

28 29 30 31

DEALING

Two-Handed Bottoms One-Handed Bottoms Confounding the Critics

34

34 35 37

CHAPTER IV—CULLING AND STACKING

39

Correct Culling The Bottom Cull The Top Cull The Riffle Stack Stacking in Ten-Handed Poker

39 39 41 42 44

vii

CARD.MASTERY PAGE

Unwanted Extra Top Card The Interlacing Riffle The Haymaker Cheating Cheaters

46 47 49 50

CHAPTER V—SHIFTS AND CUTS

53

The The The The The The

Two-Handed One-Handed Cutless Cut Crimp Bridge .

Snap Crimp

Shift Shift . . .

.

53 55 56 57 59 61

. -

CHAPTER VI—PALMING AND STEALING

The Top Palm The Multiple Top Palm The Bottom Steal . .

An Extra Card

.

.

63

.

.

.

.

.

CHAPTER VII—FALSE SHUFFLES

The The The The

Overhand False Shuffle .

Push-Through Riffle Pull-Through Riffle Triple Cut

. 6 9

.

VIII—Two SMART SLEIGHTS The Center Deal Switching the Hole Card

CHAPTER

via

63 64 66 67

.

.

.

.

.

69 71 73 75 78 78 79

C O X TEX T S OF

'THE EXPERT AT THE CARD TABLE" will be found on the pages immediately following page 81 of the Card Mastery text.

INTRODUCTION OU must be interested in card tricks, otherwise you wouldn't be reading Card Mastery. Whether manipulating the pasteboards is your vocation, or your avocation, a measure of useful information will be found herein.

The agile gentry who perform card tricks can be divided into two distinct classes—"cardsters" and tricksters. The "cardster" is continually showing sleights and calling attention to the cleverness with which the move is done. He never fools anyone; indeed makes little attempt to do so.

The trickster combines several different sleights into a well-rounded routine, stressing the effect and not the means. By so doing he provides entertainment to the onlooker—something the "cardster" rarely does.

This book is designed primarily for the trickster and will explain how to weld several varied sleights into a harmonious whole. Lately the trend in trickery has been toward specialization and this treatise will not deviate from that custom. All sleights and routines offered pertain to gambling.

However, it is not intended to expound upon the methods by which a cheat controls the cards. Instead, the manipulations will be outlined from the viewpoint of the magician who exposes the card sharp. Wherever necessary, authenticity will be sacrificed for showmanship.

ICvery book heretofore published explaining card manipulations begins the explanation of the trick by stating categorically: "Hold the deck in such and such a man10

CARD MASTERY

11

ner." Such a writer implies that the method used by him is the only correct one.

Such an assertion cannot be true. Obviously, the best grip for a man with small hands is not necessarily the best grip for a man with large hands. And a right-hander would never hold the deck in the same way as a southpaw.

The sleights included in the book are described exactly as performed by the author, which does not mean that the student must slavishly follow all directions. The instructions are all written simply as a guide, and many intervening moves are purposely omitted. One should experiment until finding the best method of holding the deck, and making the moves, and should change the directions to fit one's own idiosyncracies.

What They Say About The Card Detective Mickey's skill with the pasteboards is beyond description.

B. Jay Becker, Sec'y.

Cavendish Club, N. Y. C.

His appearance was sensational . . . members are still talking about his mystifying exhibition.

Indianapolis Athletic Club

Members enjoyed his marvelous demonstration with cards.

Gen'l Alumni Society of University of Pa.

Fine entertainment and valuable instructions.

Paper Trade Ass'n, Cincinnati, O.

It was worth waiting half a century to see your tremendous presentation at our 50th Anniversary Celebration.

University Glee Club, N. Y. C.

A splendid performance . . . our undivided attention testified to our enjoyment.

C. 5- (Casey) Jones, Quiet Birdmen

Incredible feats with cards . . . one of the most astounding entertainment features I have seen in years.

Merle Crowell, National Arts Club, N. Y. C.

You stole our show . . . members enthusiastic and complimentary.

Indiana State Medical Assn.

l e I MacDougall

c

Reader's Digest NOVEMBER 9, 1938, Michael MacDougall, at a demonstration at the Cavendish Club of New York, proved that a clever card sharp can do just about as he pleases in a bridge game against top-notch experts.

POPULAR D E M A N D — WAS responsible for the publication of this latest work by this talented artist who is known over the world for his enter tattling demonstrations of gambler's methods.

ON

Before 100 luminaries of the bridge world MacDougall played a game with Howard Schenken and B. Jay Becker as adversaries.

Two ordinary decks were thoroughly mixed and handed to the players. MacDougall shuffled the blue deck . nd Schenken the red.

After the red deck had been well mixed it was cut by Becker, and dealt by MacDougall.

Before dealing, MacDougall announced that he would bid six no-trumps. With 100 pairs of expert eyes fastened on his hands, he dealt and made six no-trumps.

Then Schenken dealt the blue pack. This had been in full view from the time it was given to MacDougall to riffle. Nevertheless, after the cards had been cut and dealt, MacDougall received all 13 spades.

MacDougall accomplished it all by expert manipulation of the cards during the shuffle and the deal.

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O A D W A V : , N E W

But no one can remember the moves, sleights and subtleties which Mr. MacDougall explains and illustrates with cards in hand, as he performs the various subtle and deceptive ialse shttlnes, cuts, deals, etc.

Hence, by popular demand, Tfefc Card Detective has written this volume in the modern style, explaining in detail all the sleights which he employs, and has posed for the 58 special drawings to illustrate them.

Here you are literally inducted into the innermost circle and given the cherished secrets of the trickster's art! In addition ta the new sleights, moves and deceptions in "Card Mastery'\ we include an older work. "The Expert at the Card Table" by S. W. Erdnase, so you may have both the old and the new at your ringer tips.

$2.50 -

P u b19 l i sNh e r s

Y O R K