Is there a Dark Card user here? I can't seem to be able to separate the g^&*^*^k using the faro as suggested. I'm just wondering if someone else has (had?) a similar experience and a different solution perhaps.

Gee thought I was the only one using the dark card! Not sure in what context you are using the dark card but depending on how you are using it....no faro required. After doing a color changing deck I would force the dark card and get it signed ( that's right...and never got caught!) and holding the deck firmly insert the card into the middle of the pack from the back ( pretending to lose the card). As you are pushing the card into the middle of the pack the special something will happen and now I spead the deck and now there is one more odd back card and it is the specs signed card which can be given away and the deck can be examined and your clean and ready for another trick. The faro never worked for me either but I loved the concept of the dark card so much that I started opening with a color changing deck just so I could use it as a really good one two punch. Maybe my idea will make you think of some interesting ideas of your own because the dark card can be a powerful little weapon if used in the right context. Don't forget that they need to be "broken in" before being performed.Lets hope nobody reads this post and we will keep the dark card our little secret. Cheers Dwayne

Good idea about inserting the signed card from the back into the middle of the pack instead of using the faro. Just tried and it works! Thanks, Dwayne!

I like this idea of using it in a color changing deck routine - makes contextual sense, and really gives you some extra mileage.

Good thoughts!

If you do try the faro technique, the Dark Card works better if you faro from the bottom up, rather than the top down.

Thanks for the advice. Will try.

I agree with J.Warrens about your approach providing solid context. Also, the insertion from back works well for me and allows me to work around using a faro for achieving that "special something". Thanks for the suggestions Dwayne.

After the dark card is broken in, I can now do a bottom up faro to make 'it' happen.

Just curious...Do you guys use the basic effect from the instructions sheet or you have constructed your own effect(s) using the dark card? Here's mine...

Say my dark card is a blue 10C. I leave the red duplicate 10C in the deck below the dark card. I force the dark card and have it signed and returned, control to the top, then do a faro and a cut. Now I mention to my spectator that I have a prediction card in my deck. Spread and show the blue card. At this point the duplicate 10C is 2 cards down, so I slide the blue card slightly to the left and the card underneath (say it's a 2D) slightly to the right, almost like a Hofziner cull, and I put the top half along with the 2D on the table, thus positioning the duplicate right below the blue card. Do a double turnover and show that my prediction card is also a 10C (this is actually the red one with no signature). Do another turnover and put the blue card on the table, away from the deck. Tell the spectator I'm going to attempt something special for him/her. Do a magic gesture, turn over the blue 10C and show that I have now move his/her signature from the selected red 10C onto my prediction card, then hand it out as a souvenir. I got great reactions out of this.

I'm working on a variation which I can show both cards right before the signature is transported from one card to the other.

Hmmmmmmm . What eez this dark card you speak of ???

Here ya go:
http://www.camirandmagic.com/rt_018.html

Scott Guinn did a nice booklet on this great effect. It SHOULD be available at Lybrary.com

Best,
Vlad

Vlad, what's the name of Scott Guinn' booklet? See you!!!

It's called "Dark Thoughts."

You can find it here:

http://www.lybrary.com/dark-thoughts-p-81066.html

Woland

Woland, thanks so much. See you!!!

Thanks Doug ,
Looks useful and versatile . I used to do a very similar effect(s) with some stuff I got out of a can . I wonder if this gaff is better than that ? Unfortunately I wouldnt know if it handles better till I got it I suppose !!! that's magic!

Some excellent applications here. Also...



SSSSSSSSSSSH!!!!

Occasionally I come across a thread hinting at a particular routine, item or sleight that I WISH had been left under the radar cause it's so good. And .... er... this is ISN'T one of those threads, if ya get my drift...

:innocent:

Since this thread began, I resurrected my Dark card and have been using again for the past few weeks. I have for years made my own and also use stuff out of a can.

Does anybody have a video link so I can see the trick in action before opting to spend money on it just based on what's written on the seller's website?

This sounds very similar to something I already do without the use of a 'gaff' card of some sort so I'm really interested to see if this one looks better, since mine isn't exactly "clean" at the point where they're signing the chosen card and hence they have to sign it in my hand, not theirs for fear of turning it over.

Ah, found a video. Definitely better-looking than the one I'm doing currently although I think I understand how it works.
Just to be 100% sure though, is the red deck 'clean' and 'inspectable' once the trick is done? Based on what I understand, it should be possible for a person to quickly and roughly inspect the deck but probably wouldn't hold up to close inspection.

ANyone got tips how to make one ,Im unable to find one for sale in UK. I used to own it and know the gimmick.Would sticky tape be ok ,like in NFW or roughing balm?