I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this question - but I can't find anywhere else. (If it is in the wrong place, hopefully it can be moved.)

This is a bit of a long shot, but I’m hoping someone can help me. About 10 years ago, I downloaded the instructions for a wonderful playing card/mentalism effect. It was a free download generously gifted by its creator. I think it may have been Paul Harris (Art of Astonishment etc), but I’m no longer sure. You have to gaff the cards by writing on them.

I used to perform it regularly, then stopped for some reason. A few days ago, while going through one of my card collections, I came across the made-up pack but, for the life of me, cannot remember how the trick works.

I’ve drawn a ‘Two of Hearts’ symbol on the card box itself, so that has some part to play. I seem to recall that, having had some cards chosen, they could be turned over to show a word. (There are letters on the backs of most of the cards. (Though the Two of Hearts is one of the cards that doesn’t have a letter printed on the back.)

Does this ring any bells with anyone? It may be that the link is still available somewhere, or one of you may know the trick and can PM me.

Many thanks – and fingers crossed!

James

Sounds like the Anything Deck by Paul Harris. It's in The Art of Astonishment books. I believe it's volume 3 page 23. This trick later spawned into Deep Astonishment 1, 2 and Deep 3. The original Deep Astonishment was my favorite version.

Magic Word (Anything Deck) performed by Joane Dukore:

https://youtu.be/Ef1yvydChbs



Darko