Tricyclic by Doug Dyment

“The DAO Cycle” presents a revolutionary cyclic stack for a full deck of playing cards, praised by experts as “arguably the best stacking system for standard playing cards.” This method creates a seemingly random arrangement without discernible patterns in values, colors, or suits. Even renowned magician Eugene Burger struggled to identify any order after an extensive examination. Yet, it allows for quick identification of the next or previous card with ease. The logical structure of this stack is straightforward to learn and remember, making it a favorite among top performers and a potential game-changer for you.

“PokerFace” merges high audience engagement with an entertaining narrative and deep mystery. One reviewer declared it to be “the best mental card effect I’ve ever seen.” In this effect, a shuffled deck is cut multiple times by audience members, ensuring fairness with no chance for peeking or sleight of hand. Three cards are selected by participants who try to keep their choices hidden. Surprisingly, the rest of the audience successfully identifies the chosen cards, culminating in a stunning reveal by the entertainer under seemingly impossible circumstances. This effect guarantees a captivating experience using only a standard, ungaffed deck.

The introduction of colored Zener (ESP) decks, featuring different colors for each symbol, has greatly benefited psychic entertainers. “The ChromESP Cycle” offers a full-deck stack for these colorful packs, devoid of any obvious patterns or repetitions, yet allowing for easy identification of successive cards. This innovative approach builds on the DAO stack concept, integrating symbols and colors, and may inspire you to incorporate a multi-hued Zener deck into your performances.

“PokerPlay” showcases the ultimate demonstration of hypnotic influence using just ten standard, ungaffed playing cards. Two poker hands are dealt—one for a participant and one for the entertainer. The participant selects the hole cards and continues to choose cards for both hands. No sleight of hand or hypnosis is involved; the dealing process is entirely fair. Despite this, the entertainer consistently wins, with outcomes ranging from a high pair to a royal flush, all under the entertainer’s control. The effect is easily reset for seamless walk-around performances.

“The de Zener Cycle” introduces a new stack for traditional monochromatic Zener (ESP) decks, featuring 25 cards with five black symbols repeated five times. Unlike the previously published “Polliwog Progression,” the de Zener stack is purely algorithmic, utilizing all 25 cards in a cyclic manner. It can be shuffled using any method that involves repeated cuts, maintaining an absence of repeated patterns, making it an excellent tool for classic ESP demonstrations.

“The Silk Load” offers a groundbreaking concept for Tarot or cartomantic readers, enabling the discreet addition of several cards to the top of a genuinely shuffled pack using a simple, elegant, and affordable prop that fits seamlessly into the reading environment.

Additionally, you’ll find an in-depth exploration of “card clocking” techniques, including unpublished enhancements to traditional methods; a captivating optical illusion suitable for platform demonstrations; and an abundance of insightful footnotes from a Life Member of the Psychic Entertainers Association.