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STUTHARDS SV1NGAU SUBTLETIES

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THE CANADIAN FUNAT1C

STCJTHARD'S SVENGALI SUBTLETIES The Svengali deck, as you undoubtedly know, is a combination of half a pack of indifferenx cards and half a pack of cards all the same and placed alternatively IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THEY BE KEPT IN THIS ORDER AT ALL TIMES. The cards which are all the same are cut a fraction of an inch shorter than the indifferent cards and are known as the key cards; each pack, of course, will have a different key card.

I personally prefer the pack with only 48 cards in all. This facilitates ease in handling and the absence of four cards from a complete pack would not be noticed.

In using the Svengali deck, it is of primary importance to forget that it is a trick pack, and it must be handled as an ordinary pack of cards. This will take practice, but any time spent in acquiring free and easy handling will be well repaid by the audience reaction.

Firstly, I will show the various manipulations or sleights used in the routines. To make it easier to follow the instructions, I will presume the pack is being held upright, in the right hand. The edge of the cards nearest the performer I will refer to as the 'near' side of the pack; the edge towards the audience I will refer to as the 'far' side of the pack, and in this position, 'top' and 'bottom' of the pack, 'back'and 'face'.

1.

First and most important, is the free running of the cards from one hand to the other. Cards to be held in the right hand, with the bottom of the pack resting near to the tips of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers, thumb at the top,index finger at the back, pressing lightly, making the cards slightly concave. The left hand is held flat, with the edge of the Palm slightly below the three fingers of the right hand. By releasing the.cards., from the thumb and allowing, them to drop evenly into the left hand, the cards can^be shown as * all indifferent. By following the above exactly, but with the deck reversed, (i.e. the index finger instead of pressing on the back of the deck, it is now pressing on the face) and allowing the cards to drop into the left hand, all the key cards will be shown. See Illustration No.l.

2

ÂŤ The Double Lift The double lift, as you will know, is The act or lifting two cards and showing them as one. If the Svengali deck is in order, (i.e. each alternate card a key card) and the deck is kept perfectly squared, The double lift can be carried out indetectably. The move is as follows:- With the cards held in the left hand, 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers of the right hand at the bottom, of the pack, thumb, at the top, m a e x finger curled slightly, touching the back with a little pressure, the two cards will come off as one.

The slight pressure at the back will prevent the key card from snowing. This is the basic move in practically all effects using the Svengali deck. See Illustration No.2.