A spectator is handed a cased deck with the promise that the performer will not touch it!

The performer also places his wallet on the table, "This is my money trick..." he explains*. Two spectators are asked to assist. Together, they decide upon what appears to be a "freely chosen card." In this instance, we'll assume they decide upon the "Seven of Hearts." The performer now invokes his magic, and the selected card is brought under his spell-from a distance-by these magical passes and incantations.

Reminding the audience that he has not once touched the cards, the spectator holding the cased deck is instructed to remove the cards from the case and to count them "OUT LOUD, one at a time, FACE DOWN." He does so and counts only 51 cards to the table! In other words, one card is missing! You can hear a penny drop-"my goodness, could it be...?" Before that thought-and the resulting implications are allowed to fully form-the spectator is asked to turn the cards FACE UP. He is now instructed to speci