The Ace Trick

Effect: Know which ace a spectator chooses while your back is turned.

Method/Presentation: Remove the four aces from the pack of cards. Look at the aces closely and you will notice that three of the aces have a center pip which points in one direction, with the ace of diamonds being the only one which can not be distinguished when looked at from both directions.

Without the spectator being aware of what you are doing, arrange the three “one way” aces so that they align in the same direction.

Have the spectator shuffle the packet of 4 aces (make sure he doesn’t change the way the aces are oriented) and ask him to hand the small packet back to you. Have them choose a card and memorize it. While you turn around (so they can look at the card) you reverse the 3 aces in your hand so that when the chosen card is replaced it will face the other way. Immediately hand the packet to the spectator to mix up and shuffle again after their ace is replaced.

Tell the spectator to burn an image of the card onto the table with their mind, and you will reveal to them which ace they selected. Deal each card face up, and you will be able to tell which card is theirs because it will be the one with the pip facing the opposite direction. For example, if they selected the ace of spades, then the ace of hearts and ace of clubs will be oriented the opposite way. If they chose the ace of diamonds the other 3 aces will not have changed orientation.

You can repeat without the spectator becoming aware of the method. But only do it a couple times because people will only be eager to figure out the secret and the magical value will be lost.