Double Duke By Michael Kociolek

“I LOVE the plot, Michał! A truly intriguing proposition, where the performer engages in a progressive game of ‘one-upmanship’ that’s easy for any audience to grasp; leaving no doubt as to the performer’s consummate skill with a pack of playing cards.” – Jack Carpenter

“Michał Kociołek’s ‘Double Duke’ is a terrific addition to your repertoire. Great thinking and a demonstration of inexplicable skill that will impress any audience.” – Andrew Wimhurst

“Michał’s thinking and construction is top notch and sophisticated. It’s the kind of card magic I love.” – David Malek

Michał has dedicated years to mastering various cheating techniques, while also developing the ability to create the illusion of superior skill. Double Duke exemplifies this—an impressive display that convinces your audience they are witnessing a card expert in action.

This routine has become his go-to opener. Why? It engages four spectators, demonstrates the ability to control not just four, but ten cards, and establishes you as a skilled card cheat. It’s an ideal gambling routine for those unfamiliar with card ranks, making it accessible and straightforward.

Effect:

Four spectators choose and return cards from a shuffled deck. The card cheat then shuffles and cuts the deck, introducing the concept of a “double duke”: cheating by dealing a player a strong hand to encourage high bets while ensuring your own hand is even better.

Instead of dealing actual hands, the cheat promises to stack the four chosen cards in one player’s hand, while giving himself progressively higher cards. In the first round, the spectator receives her chosen card (e.g., a Four), and the cheat deals himself a Five. This continues for the other selections, culminating in a final card of King for the spectator and an Ace for the cheat!

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