Coincidence and Fate by David Devlin

Enhancing an effect originally conceived by Max Maven is no small feat, yet David Devlin has accomplished just that with Coincidence and Fate. Some might even say he has “out-maxed Maven!” – Chris Wasshuber

A shuffled ESP deck is placed on the table, while a spectator rolls a pair of dice until they are satisfied with the outcome. Using the total from the dice, the spectator deals down into the deck and sets aside the card at that number, unseen. The deck is then reassembled, and a second spectator follows the same procedure. When the two randomly chosen cards are revealed, they astonishingly match. The performer suggests that this could merely be a coincidence, given that there are five of each symbol in the deck. However, it was not mere chance; it was fate.

The performer then retrieves an envelope that has been visible throughout the entire performance. Inside is a single card, which perfectly matches the selected cards.

No multiple outs, no gaffed cards, and no gaffed dice—everything is fully examinable!

The methods employed here are exceptionally clever. To my knowledge, this is a completely original approach. It is clean, elegant, and stands out as one of the most powerful ESP card tricks using only ungimmicked props.

1st edition 2008, 5 pages.Word count: 1377, equivalent to 5 standard pages of text.