Hugard's D E V O T E D
S O L E L Y
MAGIC T O
VOL. V L No. 1
T H E I N T E R E S T S
O F
M A G I C
Monthly A N D
M A G I C I A N S
J U N E 1 9 4 8
30
CENTS
A NIKOLA PRESENTATION by JEAN HUGARD
From time to time I receive requests for tricks or routines based on the Nikola System. One correspondent writes — "To my mind some of the strongest card tricks that can be done are based on the Nikola System . . . I think you would be doing the art a real service by trying to stir up interest." Possibly the main reason why the Nikola System is so little used by card conjurers is that it is thought to be very difficult to learn. This misconception probably arises from the array of tables with which the student is confronted at the very outset. At first glance they do appear to be complicated and too often the reader dismisses the system as being too difficult or requiring too much time to master. The fact is that there is a small amount of memory work necessary but this is made easy by the aid of mnemonics. For example, it doesn't require a very great effort of memory to recall that the letter 'n' which has two down strokes represents the number 2, while the letter 'm' having three down strokes stands for the number 3. The other mnemonic aids are as simple as that. The basis of the system is that the 52 cards of the deck are arranged in a certain order and each card is assigned the number at which it stands.
Thus 1 is the six of Diamonds, 2 the five of Clubs and so on to the 52nd card which is the eight of Hearts. Once this arrangement has been learned, an easy task thanks to the mnemonic aids given, when any number from 1 to 52 is called you can instantly name the card at that number or any card being named you can call its position in the deck at once. That is the A B C of the system. However, the routine which follows will give some idea of the effects that can be presented with its aid. THE ROUTINE Requirements: Mastery of the Nikola System; ability to make a false shuffle; a giant cigar; three pairs of comedy spectacles; any deck of cards. Procedure and Presentation: If you use your own deck, beforehand place the first four cards of the system, 6#, 5 * , K * , JV, on the top. If you use a borrowed deck get these cards to the top in counting the cards to see if it is complete or in searching for the Joker in order to discard it. In your pockets you have the cigar and the spectacles. Begin by inviting four spectators to come forward to assist you and line them up facing the onlookers. False shuffle the deck and force the top four cards, one on each man.
(The handkerchief force is a quick and easy method). Turn away from your assistants and instruct them to show their cards to the audience and you ask the spectators to try to memorize the four cards. This done, tell your assistants that after noting their cards themselves they are to hold them backs outwards by the extreme ends against their chests, Fig. 1. When they are ready turn towards them and explain that you will count three; at the word "Three" they are to turn their cards face out and back again as fast as posible. Illustrate the action with a card. To the audience say, "The quickness of the hand deceives the eye! Nonsense! Til prove that the eye is quicker than the hand by recognizing all four cards in a single instant." To the four assistants: "Ready? One! Two! Three!" They flash their cards and turn them backs out again. "I think I got all four," you continue. "I'll prove it by giving my friends here the whole deck and I will call for every card except the ones they now hold." Rapidly give each man 12 cards and have each of them shuffle his card into his packet. "Let's make a contest of this and see who is the smartest," you say, (Continued on page 435)
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