The Ultimate Double-Duke- The performer shuffles the deck a few times and invites a spectator to riffle shuffle and cut. The magician then claims he will cull a Flush in Spades to the bottom of the deck. An audience member selects which player in a four-handed game will receive the perfect Flush. The cards are dealt fairly to every player except the designated "partner" who receives cards dealt from the bottom. The partner is left with a perfect Flush, but the magician receives an even better hand.
The effect requires a bit of riffle or overhand stacking. While the author briefly explains simple systems that will do the trick, those not familiar with these techniques will most likely want to perform one of the other routines in the book. Also, while a bottom deal is involved, the structure of the effect allows you to expose the deal as part of the demonstration. In other words, since you tell the audience you are going to deal off the bottom, you don't have to deal a deceptive bottom to perform the routine.
The Ultimate Gardner-Marlo- The cards are riffle shuffled by the spectator and given a cut. A six-handed game of poker is dealt with the dealer dealing a bottom to himself. Amazingly, the dealer has managed to deal himself a perfect Flush from a shuffled deck. The demonstration is repeated. This time, however, the cards appear to be dealt fairly off the top. For the finish, the dealer reveals that he dealt himself an even better hand than before.
This is simply an amazing routine. If the effect appeals to you, I do not doubt that this routine alone would be worth the price of the notes. The best part is, it is completely self-working. The authors even mention that it is possible to have the spectator perform the routine.
Ten Card Finale- After the spectator riffle shuffles the deck, ten cards are dealt to the table. The spectator deals the cards between himself and the performer. The spectator receives a perfect Flush, but the magician still receives the winning hand.
This is not a stand-alone piece; it is designed to be an add-on to any existing Ten Card Poker Deal. Therefore, its success will largely depend on the routine that proceeds it. Also, the authors do not describe the handling of the classic effect; they only offer a solution to the primary problem with many versions of the trick: there is no ending. While this application of Mayhew's principle results in a good finish, it requires the performer to use a somewhat difficult sleight at bad time, since the spectator will be burning the performer's hands. This is the weakest effect in the notes.
Blackjack- The cards are riffle shuffled by a spectator and four Blackjack hands are dealt. The spectator is asked to play a game against the magician. To make things extra fair, the spectator is allowed to choose the three hands he would like to play, leaving the magician with one. The spectator turns his cards face up to reveal each hand adds up to 20. The magician states that he won't even look at his cards. "In fact, you can look at them and decide if I should take a hit... no matter what value my hand is!" The magician's cards are turned over to reveal 21 (Ten and an Ace). The magician turns around and realizes he is in a bit of a pickle. The spectator's tell him to hit. Amazingly he still wins the game by receiving another ten (Ten + Ten + Ace = 10 + 10 + 1 = 21).
Steve has managed to get a lot of mileage out of combining a simple switch with his "Angel Shuffle" principle. The result is an entertaining routine that strays from the beaten path of most gambling routines.
Freedom- The Mayhew Poker Deal- In short, the cards are shuffled face up into face down. The performer then proceeds to deal all the face up cards from the center (the top card remains face down during the dealing.) For the finale, the four Aces are dealt face up from the center. The cards are spread to show that all the face up cards were dealt.
Allan Ackerman calls this routine "one of the most popular dealing demos ever." It is a bonus that has nothing to do with the principle used in the previous effects. While it is definitely not suited for the beginner as a lot of false dealing is involved, an intermediate to advanced card man could gain quite a reputation with the routine. It will surely have a tremendous impact on any lay audience. The author mentions the primary two reasons why this routine is so good:
1. It's fun to watch.
2. It doesn't require the spectators to know anything about gambling.
If you take the time to master the routine, your audiences will believe you are capable of anything with a deck of cards.
Overall, the routines are well structured and the "Angel Shuffle" principle begs to be played with. Even the casual hobbyist will recognize its power. My only concern with a couple of the effects (The Ultimate Double-Duke and Ten Card Finale) is that many spectators will have no grasp of the rankings of every poker hand. In other words, while most people recognize that a Royal Flush beats all other hands, many do not know that a Full House beats a Flush. This, of course, does not mean that these routines should be tossed aside. It only means that the performer must be careful to only perform these effects for those who have a background in poker. This is not a weakness of all of the effects, but I think it needs to be mentioned.At any rate, if you are looking for gambling good gambling demonstrations, look no further than Steve Mayhew's Angels May Shuffle But The Devil Still Deals. Recommended.
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