I would like some suggestions for forcing a card from a small group of cards (4 or 5) spread face down on the table. I don't want to use any sort of equivoque. Want something more convincing. Got some ideas of my own, but I'm interested in knowing what's already been invented and published that meets these requirements.

Hi Tom,

I don´t know your routine, the plot and what is possible or not, but if you want to avoid equivoque I would use an idea I got from Max Maven (he used it in a Banknight-type effect), where the spectator uses a die to eliminate five envelopes from six and the remaining one is forced...in the moment I don´t know where I got it from (perhaps some lecture notes), but it is sure-fire and to me a brilliant idea. please give me some time to find the source if you are interested, ok?!

All the best,

Axel

5 identical cards. If they're face down, they'd never know the difference.

Axel, yes I'm interested.

tjo, I should have explained that the 4 or 5 cards are first selected by the spectator and shown face up before they are apparently all placed face-down on the table. In reality one of them is switched for the card to be forced. Once the cards are on the table I want a sensible, natural-looking procedure that forces the force card. I want to be able to turn the remaining 3 (or 4) cards face up as an added convincer, hence duplicates are ruled out. Hope this clarifies what I'm looking for.

I'm so lazy I would switch the cards out after they were selected.

Have you thought about false counts? Instead of laying them on the table, you could have them in a fan, then they call a number 1-4or 5 ; you false count to reveal the force card. Some thought would be involved with the initial placement of your force card, but apart from equivoque I'd think about this option.

I would't show the card faces immediately before turning them down unless there's a mixing process involved. Otherwise the spectator might try for a specific card, and they need to think of it as random. Certainly show all the cards and do your switch, but don't let them know which card is where. Then place the card at the fourth position (of five) then do the timing force where you tap each card and tell them to say stop whenever they want. Most people will stop at 4 especially since you start tapping each card before you let them know to call stop. It's very much a timing thing, but with enough practice you can make it almost 100%.

You could have say 4 queens in CHSD order on bottom of the deck, have 4 cards touched and outjogged and do Derek Dingle's 'No Lap' switch. Then have one of those selected.
You will know which queen it is.

Wasn't that Just Chintz from Nothing?

How about using the down and under deal as a way of eliminating the cards from 5 to 1.

You might look up Reverse Faro Ending, which I've taught in a few of my books (quite a few variations in Special Effects) - anyway, it forces one card of five perfectly.

I really like the PATEO force if I have several cards or items and I want to force one.