DOUBLE-DOWN: A Captivating Dual Divination with Casino Cards

Featured on the Bonus Disk of Richard Osterlind’s acclaimed DVD set, NO CAMERA TRICKS!, DOUBLE-DOWN is an exceptional dual divination effect utilizing authentic casino cards. This straightforward routine requires minimal effort while delivering a powerful impact. The performance is clean, with all actions justified, leaving no traces for spectators to analyze. No sleights, no written notes, no marked cards—just pure entertainment with impressive props and compelling mentalism.

EFFECT: The mentalist presents a collection of souvenir playing cards from various casinos, each card showcasing a different value. A spectator is invited to select a portion of the cards (no forcing involved), while the remaining cards are given to another spectator. Both participants shuffle their packets freely, even turning cards face up or down as they please, and each thinks of a secret number—nothing is spoken or recorded. The packets can be reassembled and shuffled again, allowing for further mixing.

As the mentalist displays the cards, spectators focus on either the specific casino or the playing card value corresponding to their secret mental number. With the cards in a chaotic arrangement, either option could be visible. Despite no communication or notes exchanged, the performer accurately reveals whether each spectator thought of a casino or a playing card, and astonishingly names the exact casino names or card values!

“I just got Bryn’s Double-Down. This is a killer card effect that has great props! You show a bunch of casino cards (the kind you buy directly from the casino with holes punched in them or corners rounded) from all the major hotels in Las Vegas. The cards are fairly divided between two spectators and mixed up. I mean they are ‘really’ mixed up both face-up and face-down! They are reassembled and further mixed if you want. Then the two spectators each ‘mentally’ choose a number and a card as they are fairly fanned in front of them. The mentalist then names either the casino name or the card itself depending on what way they are facing. It is direct, fun, and uses great props!”

– Richard Osterlind

“Double Down is exceedingly clever. The more I work with it, the more I appreciate its subtle and sophisticated construction. Bryn’s use of individual casino cards is inspired and very commercial. One of the best, most interesting tricks I’ve come across in a long time; double (thumbs) up for Double Down.”

– John Bannon, author of Smoke & Mirrors and Impossibilia