Dark Thief

In this captivating effect, two spectators each think of a number between 1 and 10. Using their chosen numbers, a card is selected mentally. The magician first demonstrates mind reading by accurately guessing the first spectator’s thought-of card. Then, he introduces a deck of cards and prepares to perform an Any Card At Any Number (ACAAN) effect. The first spectator thinks of their card while the second spectator generates a random number between 1 and 52, based on their combined thoughts.

Before the ACAAN effect unfolds, the following conditions are established:

1. The first spectator thinks of a random number between 1 and 52 without knowing the second spectator’s card.
2. The second spectator selects a card without knowing the first spectator’s number.
3. The magician remains unaware of both the card and the number.
4. The deck is placed on the table prior to revealing the card and number.
5. The magician never touches the deck throughout the ACAAN process.

Once everything is set, the spectators reveal their card and number, confirming that the named card is indeed at the specified position in the deck.

Entanglement

For this effect, the magician enlists the help of two spectators. The first spectator shuffles the deck and then cuts it, remembering the number of cards cut (e.g., 20). The second spectator performs the same action, recalling another secret number (e.g., 35). The deck is then shuffled again by both spectators.

The magician explains his intention to perform an ACAAN effect, instructing one of the spectators to select a card based on their remembered number. For instance, the second spectator counts from the bottom of the deck to their chosen number (35) and remembers the card at that position (5H). To ensure no old tricks are employed, the magician does not see the cards or alter the deck’s order. After the spectators complete their actions, the deck is placed on the table.

Current situation:

1. The first spectator thinks of a random number: 20.
2. The second spectator selects a card: 5H.
3. The deck is shuffled and laid on the table.
4. The magician remains unaware of any details.

Under these conditions, the magician asks the spectators to reveal their card and number: 5H and 20. One spectator counts 20 cards, confirming that 5H is indeed in that position.

Following this, the magician, without touching the deck, announces a classic Open Prediction by naming a card: the 3 of Clubs, which will turn out to be the only face-down card after dealing.

Note: The Open Prediction effect adheres to all conditions (51 Faces North) except for the magician’s touch during the ACAAN part, making it a perfect Open Prediction if that aspect is disregarded.

Enigma

Unexpectedly, a spectator requests a magic performance. The magician asks for a deck of cards, claiming he will execute something extraordinary without ever touching the deck. He instructs a spectator to shuffle the deck, select a card, and return it to the deck.

Turning his back, the magician states he will guess the spectator’s card by naming each card as the spectator calls them out loud. After the spectator finishes, the magician accurately names the card. He attributes this effect to Alan Turing, who famously deciphered messages during World War II. Turing not only broke the German Enigma machine but also created an Enigma Code, which he cleverly incorporated into a card trick.

To illustrate this, the magician retrieves a piece of paper from his wallet featuring a chart that links cards to numbers, explaining that this is the Enigma Code he will utilize.

Next, he performs the Turing effect, asserting he will never touch the deck. The spectator freely selects a card (5D) and loses it in the deck after making several cuts. The spectator then chooses a random card (JS) and finds its corresponding number on the Enigma Code: 41.

The magician emphasizes that Turing used this effect to demonstrate the ease of breaking codes. The spectator has shuffled the deck, freely selected a card (5D), and chosen a random number (41), all without the magician’s involvement. He asks, “Wouldn’t it be incredible if the 5D is in the 41st position?”

Upon agreement, the spectator counts 41 cards face up, revealing that the 41st card is indeed the 5D. The magician concludes by revealing that the secret behind this effect is rooted in the techniques used to crack the Enigma machine.

2704

The magician presents two decks: a standard deck and another with numbers 1 to 52 printed on the back of each card. He hands the regular deck to a spectator with specific instructions:

1. Dribble the cards onto the table and stop at any card.
2. Sign the back of the chosen card.
3. Return it to the deck.
4. Turn the deck face up and shuffle it.
5. Spread the cards face up on the table.

Next, the magician introduces the second deck, explaining it will be used to select a random card and number. He asks a spectator to name a number between 1 and 52 (e.g., 13), then locates the card with the corresponding number on its back, revealing it to be the Queen of Spades. Another spectator names a card (Jack of Clubs), and the magician finds it, showing the number on its back: 31.

Now, we have the Queen of Spades and 31. Without the magician touching anything, a spectator counts 31 cards from the first deck, revealing that the 31st card is the Queen of Spades, which is also the card signed at the beginning of the effect.

Other Effects

• The Dark Thief (Zodiac sign variant): After performing “The Dark Thief,” you can guess the spectator’s zodiac sign.
• Pocket ACAAN: A variant of “The Dark Thief” that utilizes just a business card for the ACAAN effect.
• The Dark Thief (One spectator variant): This version allows for “The Dark Thief” to be performed with only one spectator using a simpler principle.
• Signed Open Prediction: A classic Open Prediction featuring a signed card.
• Two additional variants of 2704: 2704 Simplified and a prediction effect.