The Berglas Effect

Just figured out a method of working the Berglas effect, so called “A Card At Any Number (ACAAN)” in the cleanest way imaginable, using one of the techniques from Devin Knight and Al Mann’s “Crystal Prediction Box”, together with a special something adapted from an old “Card Predictor” I’ve had forever.

Often the ACAAN routines involve a lot of handling and/or memorization, and it’s just not worth the effort for the impact, not enough “bang for the buck”.  By the time you’re done shuffling or recounting or whatever, everybody has it pretty well figured out that you’re either manipulating the cards or it’s a “Math trick”.

In “my new” version (it’s probably been done, but I’ve never heard of it) I hand a deck of cards to a randomly chosen spectator (Mr. A), and have him hold the cards between his palms, enduing it with “energy”.  (This part is true: it’s drawing body heat, if nothing else!)

I have him call out a number from 1 to 52 inclusive.   Let’s say he chooses 29.  I turn and write this number on a white board so that everyone can see it, and it can’t be changed.

Then we randomly choose a second person (Ms. B) and have the two people briefly touch just the tips of their index fingers together for a moment and draw a breath.  This “aligns” their spirit and “tunes” them to the same frequencies, yada, yada.  It also provides time for the “miracle” to work.

(Looking at this again, maybe they shouldn’t touch.  Others might think they’re passing notes or something, which is NOT the case!)

I then ask Ms. B to name any card, just call out the very first card that comes to mind.  Let’s say she says “Jack of Hearts”.  I turn and write this card on the white board next to Mr. A’s number, 29.

I now ask Mr. A to deal the cards onto the table face up, counting as he goes.  I stop him at number 28, to recap.

I remind the group that I have not touched the cards, that the helpers were randomly chosen, that the deck has been in Mr. A's hands and completely un-altered from the beginning, and they can plainly see that the cards are in no particular order.  Ms. B said “Jack of Hearts” and Mr. A said “29”.  The very next card to be turned over is card number 29.

I ask Mr. A to turn over the card, and it is indeed the Jack of Hearts.

The deck may be examined as there is nothing to find.  At every showing the number and the card will be different, because it truly involves a free selection.

This one is DEFINITELY going into the show!

-----

Addendum - 18:35:28

Something just occurred to me that will make this effect foolproof, repeatable, and absolutely mine-all-mine.  I’ll need to manufacture a specific gimmick which I can see in my mind.  Will start drawing plans tonight. Would say we’ll shop for materials tomorrow, but Chattown just got socked by the heaviest snow fall in 20 years, so it could be a few days.