A Useful “Number” Trick

By Edward Victor

Borrowing a pack of cards. the conjurer asks anybody in the room to think of any card. This person is handed the pack, he is requested to note and remember at what number his card stands from the bottom of the pack. In other words he counts the cards face upward in his hands until he comes to the thought-of card, and notes its number. He is now asked to cut the pack several times.

The magician takes back the cards. gives them a further cut and places them behind his back for a second. immediately returning them to the assistant saying that he has discovered the card. He remarks:

“Don't tell me the name of your card. but just say at what number it was from the bottom of the pack.”

If, for example, the assistant replies “Thirty-seven,” the conjurer says:

“That's funny[ I have altered it to the forty-fourth.”

This is duly verified by the assistant himself.