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P R E C U R S O R
LI
This is PRECURSOR LI and is published in October 1995. The editorial offices are at 2215 Myrtle Street, Erie, Pennsylvania, 16502-2643. PRECURSOR will be published more than three times a year, and it will be sold for $16.00 (U.S.) for three issues. Outside the United States, Canada, and Mexico, three issues are sent Air Mail for $19.00 (U.S.). Joe Rindfleisch's "Ace Switch-Out" is a utility move that will give new life to many effects if it's used in place of the Braue "Add On" which is definitely over used. Marty Kane gives us "Ruse Fuse," a simple transference of a signature from the back of one playing card to another with a cute punch line. In "Sherlock Does It Twice!" by Aldo Coloabini, a Card Detective finds two selections twice, using simple techniques. Warren Stephens gives us a couple of "E.S.P. Glimpses" that would fit very nicely into any longer E.S.P. routine. One of the glimpses utilizes a gimmick, and the second is totally impromptu. At the 1994 CEMK get-together at Rochester, Howie Schwartzaan reainisced about a couple of "Dime And Penny" incidents from his youth. "The One-Hand Force And Control" by Ronald Zollweg is an interesting adaptation of the "Riffle Force." Ron originally sent me the "One-Hand Force," but in discussing it with him it just seemed that the added control was so apropos. Phil Goldstein's "The Color Out Of Place" solves the classic "Hofzinser Card Problem" in a very easy manner with a couple of extra niceties thrown in for good measure. While trying Jack Carpenter's "Tabled Elms ley Switch" from Steve Hobbs' Labyrinth #2, I was wondering what type of a routine would be appropriate for this move. One thing led to another, and "Inside-Out" was born. Actually, though, I find that the standard "Elmsley" technique is more appropriate to this approach. Thi is a true PRECURSOR trick, because as a trick, it really seems to be just a lead-in to a routine; as a result, further material using the pertinent cards is still required. "Dollface" by Ken McCreedy is a quickie accomplished by means of a cute and easy "Color Change." Unfortunately, one of the best lines in the trick can only be used by 1% of my readers since I only have two Ken's presently among my subscribers. In the past, I did have a couple more; unfortunately, they dropped by the wayside. "Burning Thoughts" by Ed Hill is a cute novelty routine with Mini Cards. It originally was included in a regional lecture he did about ten years ago, and as a result it did not get very wide exposure, because the lecture notes were only
available at the lecture. It is a good trick for PRECURSOR because I know I said, "What if -" about a half-a-dozen times while reading it. I know I am going to play with it some more. Barry Govan has sent me a critique of "The Giorgio Letters" which have been appearing in Genii over the last couple of years. I agree with some of what Tony Giorgio says, but also disagree with some. The biggest problem I have with the "Giorgio Letters" is that Tony Giorgio is comparing work developed at the end of the nineteenth century to conditions that exist at the end of the twentieth century. The game of Poker first appeared in Hoyle in 1857 so it was still going through growing pains in the Gay Nineties. The ultimate rule of Poker as it was played in saloons during the latter half of the nineteenth century was "Six bullets beats four Aces, everytime." Williaa P. Miesel
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When Al Thatcher's "Monstrosity" appeared in PRECURSOR XLIX, an unfortunate error appeared in step #5 which makes the trick unworkable. Step #5 should read: 5. Add the total pips in step #3 to the total pips in step #4, and then subtract this total from "364" to arrive at the number of pips to be included in the third prediction which reads, "You have thirteen red cards and thirteen black cards totaling pips." This prediction is sealed in an envelope which is numbered "3." Williaa P. Miesel
VISIONARY CARD MAGIC
On November 10th, the printer will be shipping copies of my new book, VISIONARY CARD MAGIC. Magic Methods is the publisher, but I will have copies for sale. I can supply autographed copies for $30.00 (U.S.) sent postpaid. This is a hard bound book of forty effects using playing cards and E.S.P. cards that have not appeared previously in any of my other works. In the event that you have not yet added CREATIVE CARD MAGIC ($20.00), IMPROVISATIONS ($5.00), or MOE AND HIS MIRACLES ($15.00) to your library, I can still supply copies postpaid when you order VISIONARY CARD MAGIC. William P. Miesel
ACE SWITCH-OUT
Probably one of the most over-used moves in Card Magic is the "Braue Add On." One of the reasons for this is that the "Add On" is so simple to perform. As a result of its simplicity, a high majority of "Four Ace Tricks" start out with an "Add On" which is very recognizable; thus, much of the deception is lost. If you give this "Ace Switch-Out," which is just about as simple, a trial, it should give new life to some of your tired old "Four Ace Tricks." 1. The four Aces are removed from the deck and placed face up on the table. The remainder of the deck is squared up, turned face down, and held in the left hand in dealing position. 2. Catch a left little finger break under the top three cards of the deck. The right hand picks up the four Aces from the table and holds them in a fan with the fingers on the faces and the thumb on the back. Show the four Aces to the audience.
Figure 1
3. As an assist in learning the next step, try in-jogging the Ace on the face of the fan a quarter of an inch. This slight in-jog is not at all obvious and will not be noticed. Once the knack is acquired, the in-jog becomes unnecessary, but if it becomes comfortable, there is no need to eliminate it. 4. After showing the Aces, turn the right hand palm up bringing the Ace fan face down. Bring the fan over the top of the deck. The fan is going to be taken on the top of the deck in the following manner: 5. As the fan is brought over the top of the deck, the face Ace comes square on top of the deck and is dropped off on the three cards above the break. Without any pause, the three Aces remaining in the fan are moved forward a slight bit and partially squared up. They are left angle out-jogged to the left as seen in figure #2. 6. The right hand now comes over the top of all of the cards in the left hand. The thumb comes to rest on the inner end of the deck ready to grasp the four cards above the break. The first three fingers come to rest on the outer end of