CONTENTS

I Did Something ...................................................................................................................................................................4

Matched Selection ...............................................................................................................................................................5
Impossible Unreverse ........................................................................................................................................................5
Double Faced Do As I Do ..................................................................................................................................................7
Double Faced Force ............................................................................................................................................................8
Double Faced Reverse .......................................................................................................................................................8
Two Spectator Match .........................................................................................................................................................9
Short Double Face Reverse ..............................................................................................................................................9
Ultissimo, Junior................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Postscript to Ultissimo, Junior....................................................................................................................................... 11
Double Faced Transposition ......................................................................................................................................... 11
Coincidence ........................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Mental Miracle ................................................................................................................................................................... 13
A Good Gag ........................................................................................................................................................................ 13
Change of Signature ....................................................................................................................................................... 14
Prediction ............................................................................................................................................................................ 14
To Glide Force a Double Facer ...................................................................................................................................... 15
Using a BF Deck ................................................................................................................................................................ 16
Tin Type Trickery ................................................................................................................................................................ 16
You Can’t Do As I Do......................................................................................................................................................... 18
Chinese Mindreading ...................................................................................................................................................... 20
U-Find-It ............................................................................................................................................................................... 21
A Startling Change ........................................................................................................................................................... 21
Card Transpo ...................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Royal Transposition .......................................................................................................................................................... 23
Cut Force ............................................................................................................................................................................. 26
Psychic Message ............................................................................................................................................................... 27
Two Deck Mystery ............................................................................................................................................................ 28
The Bashful Queen ........................................................................................................................................................... 31
Name Spelling ................................................................................................................................................................... 31
Compatability .................................................................................................................................................................... 32
The Dilly Deck .................................................................................................................................................................... 33
Here Are Some Quickies ................................................................................................................................................. 35
The Mirror Card .................................................................................................................................................................. 35

-2-

samebothsides.indd 2 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 FOREWORD

The problem of what to do with playing cards that are the same on both sides has bothered
me, or should I say, intrigued me for nigh thirty years. Very little has been written on them and
most every magician has them in his paraphernalia but not in his working group of tricks.

You’ll find these cards, which I have shortened to SBS (same both sides) in the double face
decks of U. S. Playing Cards. One is in the FA-KO deck and I was delighted to learn that in
England an entire deck of them can be obtained (International Magic Studio: Ron MacMillan).

Currently they seem only to be had in Bridge Size although years ago, the Poker Size was
obtainable.

As you’ll note in the pages that follow, I asked (in THE BAT) in 1944, what could be done
with them and received no response. I did work out a trick of my own and followed it with
another when the FA-KO Deck was first marketed. On receiving a quantity of the old style
cards from Theron Fox, I again asked (this time in S. O. B. jr – The Son of Bat, jr.) what could
be done with them and to my surprise receive not only a lot of answers, but as you’ll read
some very fine tricks!

So, this is one of the charms of MAGIC – most anything when studied can be developed in
many ways. And a little research will discover tricks using the basic principle. I doubt however,
that Jack Potter has a section in his monumental Master Index to Magic In Print a section on
same both sides cards! (He’ll check me on this!).

But I’ll not make the mistake that Ted Annemann did and state that this is ALL that can be
found on the subject. But I seriously doubt that another book such as this will ever appear.

Happy reading,

Lloyd E. Jones

-3-

samebothsides.indd 3 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

I DID SOMETHING!
Lloyd E. Jones

The appearance of the FA-KO deck a few years back led me to create an SBS trick that was
sent to Ronald Haines in hope that it would appear in his second FA-KO book. To date, no
follow up on that great book, so this trick has appeared in M-U-M, and is now included in
this compilation.

Place the SBS card in a well shuffled deck at the same number from the bottom of the deck as
the value of the card at the bottom of the deck is. (If the bottom card is a “five”, the SBS card
is placed fifth from the bottom, if the bottom card is an “eight’’, the SBS card is placed eighth
from the bottom, etc. Jacks count as eleven, queens as twelve, and kings as thirteen). Naturally,
the lower the value of the bottom card the easier the bottom stock can be arranged. Remove
the card that duplicates the SBS card. You may leave the duplicate in the card case, so that
by returning the card to the case you can replace the missing card, (and get rid of the SBS
card). You are now set.

Now the shuffled deck. Execute a few false shuffles, and false cuts, retaining the bottom stock.
Place the deck, with the bottom stock intact, face down on the table. Tell the spectator that
after you turn your back he is to turn the deck face up on the table and note the value of the
card on the now face up deck. Tell the spectator that if the card is a “six” he is to look at the
sixth card down beginning with the first face up card. If the card is a “nine” he is to look at
the ninth card, and so on. Tell the spectator that Jacks, Queens and Kings are eleven, twelve
and thirteen respectively, having glimpsed the “haphazardly” chosen card the spectator is to
square the deck, cut the cards once, and complete the cut. The deck is then to be turned face
down on the table. Ask the other spectators to check the participating spectator and correct
any erroneous moves.

When all the spectator’s actions have been completed, turn around and pick up the face down
deck. Recount all that has gone on before, the well shuffled deck, the “haphazard” choice, and
the fact that cutting the deck has relocated the glimpsed card somewhere else in the deck. At
this point I usually give the cards a little riffle or shake and use Bob Haskell’s great line, “Did you
see me do something? I DID something!” Ask for the name of the glimpsed card, and when it is
announced dramatically spread the cards face down on the table. One card will be face up. The
glimpsed card! Take your bow, close up the deck, (getting the SBS card to the face of the deck),
and return the cards to the case as mentioned earlier.

When you repeat the trick, you could use a different SBS card.

-4-

samebothsides.indd 4 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

MATCHED SELECTION
Jeff Busby

Effect: A red backed deck and a blue backed deck are removed from their case and shuffled.
The blue back deck is spread face down on the table while the red backed deck is spread face
up. The spectator touches any one of the face up red cards and any one of the face down
cards. The performer now shows that the two freely selected cards match!

Requirements: A deck of double backed red/blue cards. An entire deck of SBS cards (obtain-
able from International Magic Studio; London). Two regular cards, one red backed, the other
blue and matching card cases.

Set-up: Place regular red card back out on the SBS deck. Place this in the red case. Place blue
back regular card face out on the red side of the red/blue double backers. Place this deck
in the blue case.

Working: Take red backed (?) deck out of case and Hindu shuffle face up. Flash the back of the
red card occasionally. Spread this deck face up on the table. Take the blue backed (?) deck out
of its case and flash card on face. Hindu shuffle face down (blue backs up). Ribbon spread this
deck also on the table. Have the spectator touch any one of the face up cards. Pull it out of
the spread. Have the spectator touch any one of the face down cards (or, another spectator.)
Pull this out of the spread. Put the SBS card on top of the blue back up DB card. Pick them up
with the right hand and spread with the finger and thumb. To show the blue backed card with
a face and the red backed card with a face give the cards a twist with the fingers and thumb
to reverse their position as you turn them over. This is known to most magicians as the “Two
Card Monte Move. “ Apparently you have shown that the faces of a red backed card and a blue
backed card match. Trick may be repeated with caution.

IMPOSSIBLE UNREVERSE
Robert Byrne

Effect: A card selected by the spectator refuses to turn over, even under laboratory conditions.
The card and the deck can be freely examined, as there is nothing to find.

Needed: A card that is (say) the King of Clubs on both sides.

To start: Remove a deck of cards from its case, leaving the two-faced KC behind. After a series
of miracles, cut the regular KC to the top of the deck and return the deck to the case, then
“decide” to do one more trick. This time remove the deck from the case leaving the regular KC

-5-

samebothsides.indd 5 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

behind. The double KC is on the face of the deck. Force the fake card with the Hindu shuffle
and thumb it onto the table. Square the deck and place it face up on the table alongside
the forced card.

First unreverse: Place the fake KC on the face of the face-up deck and slowly cut it into the
center. Slowly turn the deck face down. Pause. Ribbon spread. The KC has refused to turn over.

Second unreverse: Slide the KC out of the spread. Turn the ribbon over and square the deck
face up. Place the KC on the face again and once more cut it to the center. Turn deck face
down. Pause. Ribbon spread. The KC is still face up.

Third unreverse: Explain that the same effect takes place when the card is in the case instead
of the deck. Slide the KC out of the spread and put it onto the case, which holds the regular
KC face down. Close the flap and working slowly and fairly, turn the case over. Open the flap
and remove the regular KC face up.

Optional interlude: For those who know a good “paddle move” with a card in the hand, here
is a perfect spot to use it. Show that the card has, apparently, two faces, then two backs, then
one of each, thus reinforcing the idea that the previous effects were done by sleights, not fake
cards. Before proceeding, fairly show the KC normal.

Final unreverse: “Lose” the KC in the deck, actually controlling it to the bottom. (An ideal control
here is Bill Simon’s, since you are holding the selected card in your hand at the start). Finish
by doing a “Slop Shuffle Reverse” in which the cards seem to be hopelessly mixed up partly
face up and partly face down, only to right themselves – all except the KC, which reveals itself
again face up in a face down spread.

Notes:

1. Bill Simon’s Card Control can be found in his Effective Card Magic.

2. A playing card paddle move is given on page 43 of the paperback edition of Bruce
Elliott’s Classic Secrets of Magic.

3. When forcing the bottom card of a deck by means of the Hindu shuffle, use the
Fetsch handling described on page 88 of My Best. (J. G. Thompson, Jr., 1945).

-6-

samebothsides.indd 6 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

DOUBLE FACED DO AS I DO
Glen Gravatt

Needed is a double faced card, both sides alike, an ordinary deck with, say, red backs, and a
pack of blue-backed double-backers. If the double-facer is, for instance, the QC, remove the
QC from the ordinary red deck. Insert it in a paper clip and pin the clip with a safety pin to
the center of the back of your coat so that the bottom edge of the card hangs just above the
bottom edge of the coat.

The double faced QC is on the bottom of the pack of blue double-backed cards. You are now
all set to perform.

Hand the ordinary red deck to a spectator and ask him to shuffle it while you shuffle the blue
deck. In shuffling make sure you do not expose the double facer. When this has been done you
exchange decks, announcing that each has shuffled the other’s deck to make sure neither of
you know the location of any of the cards.

You place your hands with the red deck behind your back, asking him to do the same with his
pack, as you face each other. Tell him to remove any card from his pack, turn it face up, and
re-insert it in the pack, while you do the same. He does as you do, or what he thinks you do.

What you actually do is to remove the QC from beneath your coat, simply pulling it out of the
paper clip, and insert it face up in your face down deck.

He, of course, reverses a double backer so it does not alter the condition of his pack. But if he
accidentally reverses the double facer, it still makes no difference.

Now announce that this having been done, you will cut the pack so the reversed card is lost in
the pack. He follows suit, doing as you do, and cutting the pack. Thus he will have no idea as to
the approximate location of the card he reversed.

You now bring your pack forth from behind your back, asking him to do the same. Again you
exchange packs. This gives him the ordinary red backed pack with its QC reversed, while you
get the pack of double backers containing the double faced QC.

You ribbon spread your cards across the table and the QC is seen face up among the blue
backs. Ask him to do the same with the deck he now holds. He spreads the red deck backs up
on the table and the reversed QC is seen. Apparently you have both reversed the same card.

-7-

samebothsides.indd 7 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

DOUBLE FACED FORCE

Glenn Gravatt

Turn your deck face up, with the card you intend to force at the face of the deck, but face
down. On top of all is a double faced card showing the same on both sides.

You can fan the deck backs up, and then faces up, so long as you do not reveal the double-
facer when fanning backs up, or the face down force card when fanning faces up.

Square the deck. Hand it to a spectator. Haw him hold the deck behind his back, face up. While
holding the deck face up behind his back, he cuts the deck and turns the top portion face
down on the face-up bottom portion.

When he brings the deck forward he spreads the deck near the center to see what card he cut
to (the top card of the lower face-up portion). It will be your force card.

Use as a prediction, or in any other trick where you must know in advance what card will
be chosen.

DOUBLE FACED REVERSE

Glenn Gravatt

Needed is one double-faced card, alike on both sides, plus one ordinary deck, and one deck of
double-backers. If the double-facer is, say, the QC, reverse the QC in the ordinary deck so it will
be face up in the face down deck. Put the double faced QC with the pack of double backed
cards. Keep it at the bottom so when you shuffle and fan the deck it will not be exposed.

Start by producing the ordinary deck, announcing that you previously reversed a certain
card in it, and that you would like to experiment with a kind of thought transmission to see
whether you can influence some onlooker to think of the same card.

Hand a spectator the double backed deck. Have him cut it under a cloth or napkin, or behind
his back or beneath the table, whatever is handy, giving the reason that all of his actions must
be invisible to you. He is to cut the pack as many times as he wishes, shuffle, or mix the cards
in any manner.

Finally he is to reverse (turn face up) the bottom card of the pack, replace it on the bottom,
then cut the deck another time or two in order to completely lose or bury the unknown
reversed card in the deck. The condition of the pack, of course, will not be altered.

-8-

samebothsides.indd 8 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

Now stress the fact that the deck, when brought forth from under cover, contains one
reversed card and that neither he nor you nor anyone in the audience has any idea what it is.

Have the assisting spectator spread the ordinary deck you placed on the table at the start.
He finds one card, the QC face up in the face down pack. You now ribbon spread the double
backed deck and there is the QC face up. Is it telepathy, magic, or just coincidence?

TWO SPECTATOR MATCH

Glenn Gravatt

Here, two spectators draw a card, each from a different deck. The two cards are shown to
match. Needed is a double faced card, the same on both sides, a pack of regular cards, and
a pack of double backed cards.

Start with the double facer, say the QC, at the face of the regular deck. Shuffle, retaining the
double facer at the bottom of the deck. Tell a spectator to place the deck behind his back, to
cut off a bunch from the top, turn them face up and place them at the bottom of the deck.

Hand him the deck. Behind his back he cuts off a packet, turns the cards face up and puts
them at the bottom of the deck. He brings the deck forth. The cards are spread to see which
card he cut to, the top card of the face up portion. It will, of course, be the double faced QC.

A second spectator makes a free selection of any card from the second deck. Without looking
at it he places it beside the face up QC. You take the 2 cards, holding one face up and one face
down, and patter to the effect that no one, he, you, or any member of the audience, knows
what one card is, and wouldn’t it be strange if he took the same one.

Using the 2-card monte move, turn both cards over, to show the other is also the QC. You
may prefer to use a combination double backed deck (blue one side and red on the other).
Thus you can use an ordinary deck with red backs, and start with the blue backs of the other
deck up. Then, at the finish, you show what is apparently a red-backed QC and a blue-backed
unknown card, turning them over to show apparently a blue-backed QC and the red backed
one.

SHORT DOUBLE FACE REVERSE

Glenn Gravatt

If the double faced card is converted into a “short card," i.e., a tiny portion trimmed from
its edge, so that it is slightly sorter than the rest of the deck, the following “reverse” can be
accomplished:

-9-

samebothsides.indd 9 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

With the double facer in the deck, either force its regular duplicate, or force the double facer
itself by having it at the bottom of the deck. Shuffle, retaining it at face of deck. Hand pack
to spectator. Ask him to cut a batch off the top, turn the cut-off portion face up, and put this
bunch at the bottom, all behind his back. He then brings forth the deck, spreads it enough to
see the first face down card, which will be the double-facer. He then rights the deck by turning
the remainder of the face down cards face up.

You take the pack, square it, turn it backs up, and give it a rap to settle the short card, evening
the bottom edges. Ask the spectator to note that the backs of all the cards are up.

Riffle the top edge of the deck from back to face, the backs to the spectators. The short card
cannot be seen. Now ribbon spread the deck backs up to show that his card is face up amid
the face down cards.

ULTISSIMO, JUNIOR
Glenn Gravatt

Needed is a double faced card, alike on both sides, and 2 ordinary decks, one with red backs
and one with blue. Also you need a “combination double backer” that is, one side red backed,
the other blue.

Place the double facer in the red deck, and the double backer in the blue. Now you are ready
to perform.

Announce that you will have some one pick a card from one deck and you will pick one from
the other, that you will select yours first, and that you will let everyone see what it is.

Fan the red deck faces up, remove the double facer, which we will assume to be the QC, and
place it on the table in plain view. Pick up the blue deck which has the double backer blue side
up, and force the double backer, using any one of the many easy forces available.

Without letting the selector or anyone else see its “face” you place it, back up, alongside the
double faced QC. Fan the 2 cards, showing the QC in a blue backed unknown card. Using the
well known “2-card-monte” move, turn them over to show the other sides, when the audience
will see a red backed card, and the QC. Apparently the spectator, unwittingly, has matched
the card you took first.

- 10 -

samebothsides.indd 10 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

POSTSCRIPT TO “ULTISSIMO, JUNIOR.”

Glenn Gravatt

After the above instructions were written, it occurred to the writer that there should be no
forcing of a card from the second deck; that the spectator should have an absolutely free
choice, and that the card should be selected in such a way that he KNOWS he has a free choice.
That is really the crux of the whole thing.

The simple way to eliminate any forcing is to use an entire deck of double backed cards
(combination red and blue back) for the second pack. It is handled of course so that the “faces”
are never seen. The spectator is at liberty to choose any card at all in the fairest possible
manner that may occur to you.

DOUBLE FACED TRANSPOSITION

Glenn Gravatt

A quickie, the effect of which consists of an instantaneous transposition of two cards. A card
held in the hand changes place with the face card of the pack. Needed is a double faced card,
alike both sides, an ordinary deck, and one extra card from another deck.

Suppose the double-facer shows the QC on both sides, and that the extra card is the 5H. Have
one 5H at the face of the deck. Hold the other 5H in the right hand with the double-faced
Queen in front of it, holding the two as one card. You are apparently holding the QC, which
can be shown back and front.

Hold these two cards with thumb at one side, the second and third fingers at the other side,
and the tip of the index finger pressing against the center, causing them to bulge slightly. This
keeps the two in perfect alignment.

Hold the pack in the left hand, faces of cards to audience. Call attention to the location of the
two cards, the 5H at the face of the deck, the QC in the right hand. Ask the onlookers to be
sure to remember where each is.

Place the card (cards) in the right hand squarely against the deck. Release the double faced QC
so that it stays on the face of the pack, covering the 5H, and without hesitation the fingers and
thumb of the right hand slide the 5H it is holding straight down until it clears the pack. Then
the right hand turns over to show the 5H to the spectators. If done correctly you never seem to
completely let go of the card in your right hand.

- 11 -

samebothsides.indd 11 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

An instantaneous transposition is seen. The QC is now the face card of the pack while the 5H
is in the right hand. Give a flick to the 5H in your hand to show it is but a single card. Then let
it flutter to the floor. Turn sideways to pick it up, and as you do so, thumb off the 2 cards at the
face of the deck into the coat pocket away from the audience. Add the 5H to the deck and you
have a complete ordinary deck with which to do other card tricks. The 2 cards surreptitiously
removed are the double backed QC and the extra 5H.

You will find that this trick will puzzle any onlooker. It works like a charm.

COINCIDENCE
Glenn Gravatt

For this you need one double-faced card with both faces the same, also two ordinary decks,
one red backed, one blue. Put the double-facer at the face of the blue deck and just in front
of the deck’s regular card which is the same as the double-facer. If double-facer shows the
7 of diamonds on both sides, then the ordinary 7 of diamonds belonging to the deck is just
beneath it. On your table are two glasses, a little distance apart.

Show the blue deck, spreading to show blue backs. Turn deck face up. State that you will
remove a card, that any card will do, and that its identity need not be kept secret. Remove the
double facer and the card behind it as one. It can be shown back and front. Put it in one glass
with its face to spectators, both going to glass as one.

From the red backed deck a spectator freely selects any card and without his looking at it,
you drop it in the same glass right in front of the card (s) there, its red back towards the
spectators.

Now you lift out the blue backed card and put it in the other glass. Its face is towards the
audience. The other glass is given a half turn so that apparently the red backed card chosen
by the spectator faces the audience. (Actually it is the double-facer. ) Both glasses are seen to
contain the same card, for instance, the 7 of diamonds.

What the audience actually sees is the face of the genuine blue backed 7 of diamonds, and the
face of the double faced 7 of diamonds in front of the red backed card. There appear to be just
two duplicate cards, and the beauty of it is that they can be shown back and front.

- 12 -

samebothsides.indd 12 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

MENTAL MIRACLE
Dr. E. T. Prendergast

The best effect hasn’t been mentioned yet! Here it is: Obtain a deck of double back cards and
place two different double face cards in the pack.

To perform, place the pack “face” down on a thin metal tray. Cover tray with a napkin, opaque
cloth, or heavy silk. Have a spectator reach under cloth and “mix” cards by spreading around on
tray. Then spectator is to turn over any card he desires. He spreads the cards a little more and
turns over a second card and then removes cloth himself.

The cards will be found to be face up. These are called to his attention, removed by magician,
and shown to audience.

They match a prediction previously made, written and sealed, or written on a slate, etc. , etc.

If I can recall, I got this years ago from a David Hoy lecture – who got it somewhere else.

A clever mental effect! But could also be a force.

Have used it with great success and my only source of double face cards (same card) in those
days was cards from Pegasus Card Pack.

A GOOD GAG
Gerald Kosky

With a sort of smart-alecky attitude, you turn over the top card of the deck that you have in
your hand so that it is face-up; holding the deck about 14 inches high over a table, you very
openly push the face-up card over the side of the deck about 3/ 4 of an inch so that it will
be obvious as to what you are doing and, drop the deck onto the table. The face-up card will
automatically turn over when the deck is dropped so that it will be face-down on top of the
deck when the deck lands on the table. You pick up the deck and do the same thing again with
the same top card. When the deck lands on the table, the face-up card will again be face-down.
You turn the top card face-up again and say “This is a very difficult stunt to do, I know of only a
few magicians that are able to do this stunt!” Two or three persons seeing you do this stunt will
say “I know how it is done!” You hand one of them the deck with the top card face-up on it for
he or she to try. Now, no matter how hard they try or slam the deck on the table, the face-up
card will not turn face-down. Others will want to try it, they too will fail.

- 13 -

samebothsides.indd 13 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

Secret: You have a double back card that matches the deck you are using and, also the SBS
card. The SBS card is lightly stuck to the double back card. I use Chap Stick to stick the cards
together firmly and yet, when you want to get them apart, all you do is push firmly on the top
card and it will separate from the card that it is stuck to. The DB card with SBS card is on top of
the deck, stuck underneath the DB card. Now you do the stunt as described above and when
you’ve done it a few times, you are ready to fool the wise-guy; you push off the SBS card from
the DB card when it is face-up on top of deck so as to separate them. As you do this, sort of
accidently drop a few cards from off the top of deck, still retaining the SBS card on top, so as to
lose the DB card. Put the dropped-off cards on bottom of deck. You now have the SBS card on
top of deck so that when it turns over, it will still be face-up... That’s what I call very sneaky.

CHANGE OF SIGNATURE
Gerald Kosky

Have your signature on one side of the SBS card; the signature side will face the face side of
the face cards that are on the face of the deck. On top of the deck have a DB card with bits of
wax or Chap Stick smeared on the top side of the DB card. Show the SBS card that is on the
face of the deck, and have a spectator write their name on the face of that card. You remove
that card and place it lightly, so that it doesn’t stick to the top of the DB card, on top of the
deck. You now push the SBS card to the side and drop deck onto table so that it reverses itself
on the drop so that now your signature shows up on the face of the card instead of that of
the spectators. You now straighten the cards together so that the SBS card will stick to the DB
card.... You now remove the card from off top of deck to show that the face card has a back to it
and, that, there is not a duplicate of the card that had been used.

PREDICTION
Tan Hock Chuan

I used to be very interested in prediction effects with cards. Paul Curry’s “Signed Prediction”
effect is really wonderful. I still remember how thrilled I was to receive the effect from Thayer’s.
Here is a variation which may be of some interest to your readers.

The effect is that you offer the choice of one of two packs of cards, red and blue backed, to a
member of the audience. From the chosen deck you take out a card and without showing its
face, you stick it into the pages of an upright book (idea of using a book as a display stand is
from an early 1948 Phoenix, I believe).

The other deck is spread out face up and the spectator makes a free choice of any card he sees.
This is also inserted into the book as shown in the drawing.

- 14 -

samebothsides.indd 14 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

The book is then turned around and the other card is shown
to match the freely chosen one!

The method should be clear to any practising magician. The

back-up card is double-backed, showing red on one side and
blue on the other. The other deck is made up of double-
facers which are rather special in that they are identical on
both sides! A 4H will be a 4H on its other side. These are
added to 3 or 4 ordinary blue-back cards and placed in a blue
card-box. The other deck with the red side up are placed in
a red-card box together with 2 or 3 red backed cards on the
face.

The working should be clear from here. Display the two decks in the different color boxes. Get
one to be chosen. Whichever is chosen, you take out the red cards and deal them or spread
them in a row and ask for one to be pushed out. This you stick into the book without revealing
the blue back. From the blue back cards which you spread out with the faces up, get a face-up
card to be freely chosen which you also stick into the book with its face out.

Turn book around to show prediction is correct.

TO GLIDE FORCE A DOUBLE FACER

Glenn Gravatt

Place double facer second from top. False cut or false shuffle, retaining top stock. Turn deck
face up. Hold deck in left hand in “glide” position. (See almost any book on magic for descrip-
tion of the “glide.”)

Right hand removes bottom card of face-up deck, the one that would be on top if deck was
face down. The left fingers glide the double-facer back while the right fingers remove the next
card, and the next, and so on, until spectator says “stop.” Remove double-faced card, showing
it to be the card he supped you at.

TRICK USING ABOVE FORCE

Double facer must be the same both sides. Force double facer on Spectator “A” using glide
force. Have him remember the card, then cut it to center of deck, the deck still face up. All this is
done in such a position that Spectator “B” cannot see the chosen card.

- 15 -

samebothsides.indd 15 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

Now show “B” the deck, fanning the cards before him, asking him if he can name “A’s” card.
Of course he can’t. Say “well, maybe you can name it if I show you the backs of the cards.”
Preposterous, of course.

Fan the deck, the backs to him, so only he can see the backs, keeping them away from A and
the rest of the audience. Of course the double-facer stands out amid all the backs and since it
is the only face he sees, he will name it. If the double-facer is the Queen of Clubs, he will call
out “Queen of Clubs.” Spectator A, as well as the rest of the audience, will be surprised and
amazed at his psychic powers.

USING A BF DECK
Glenn Gravatt

Tell spectator you’ll have TWO spectators name his “freely selected” card. One by looking at the
front of the deck – the other the backs!

Natch – you switch decks. Your new one being blank face with the SBS card earlier forced (see
above) in it. First spectator is told to note ANY card which impresses him (of course, he sees
only the SBS card). Second spectator is told to concentrate and see if he gets impression of
card. He does! He sees the SBS card.

TINTYPE TRICKERY
Sid Fleischman

A camera that can photograph a thought in mid-air – why not?

All you need is a SAME BOTH SIDES card, an inexpensive Polaroid Land Camera and a
moment’s preparation.

Tear the corner off a duplicate of the SBS card. With the merest dab of diachylon (or other
adhesive of your choice) attach the torn piece to the top left hand corner of the SBS card,
which is then buried in the deck. The remainder of the untricked card is placed on the bottom.
You are ready for a bit of zap chicanery.

With the deck in left hand, thumb riffle the pack, asking for the word “stop. “ The deck will break
naturally at the gimmicked card, enabling you to force that card without bother.

Withdraw the card, face (of course) to the audience, and lay aside the deck. Holding the card
before you, carefully tear the true corner of the SBS item with the diachyloned corner as a

- 16 -

samebothsides.indd 16 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

guide. In other words, you create a double corner and they will be remarkably alike.
Ask spectator to step forward and hold both arms before him – like a sleepwalker. Place the
SBS card, corner missing, between his fingers – either hand. He is to gaze at the face of it.

The double corners are in your own left fingers. Press off the top (regular-backed) corner into
your right fingers, retaining the SBS corner, which you dispose of as you fetch the camera.

Now set the visible corner in the spectator’s other fingertips – the back facing him.

The point of this is to subtlety reinforce the illusion that the card does have a back. He’s
looking at a piece of it.

So the spectator is now ready to pose for the camera with the SBS card in one outstretched
hand and the corner in the other.

Now lay in the theme of film so sensitive that it can pick up and photograph vibrations of the
mind. “Think. Think. Concentrate on the card before your eyes. Gaze at it. Stare at it. Each pip.
Every line. Focus your thought. And now say ‘cheese.’”

Click!

When the snapshot is ready – behold! It reveals the face of the card while the spectator is
himself in the act of staring at the face of it from the other side.

“Never underestimate the power of the mind. You have X-ray thoughts. Astonishing. You may
keep the card, the corner and the photograph.”

What’s that? He keeps the card? Remember that a duplicate from which the corner was torn is
at the bottom of the pack. Now back up to the click.

Having snapped the picture you pull out the Polaroid waste paper and set the camera aside
for the ten or fifteen seconds it takes for the film to cook. Pick up the deck and retrieve the
SBS card from spectator. Carry the deck face up, but inward, so that the face card cannot be
seen.

Show the SBS card to the group. Will everyone kindly think only of this card? I don’t want to
risk a double exposure.”

- 17 -

samebothsides.indd 17 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

Before returning the card to the spectator – top change for the duplicate, which has a normal
back. And add, “you may lower your arms now and keep the corner and keep the card.”

Onward to the photographic finish.

If your top change is rusty, here’s a virtually automatic change. Set up the bottom of the deck
with a card reversed above the waiting duplicate.

Then, when you retrieve the SBS card from the spectator you place it on the top of the deck
to display it. Before returning it, pass the deck into the other hand – at the same time turning
it over – and deal off the duplicate.

YOU CAN’T DO AS I DO
(Gravatt’s favorite)
Glenn Gravatt

Of all the tricks you can do with a single double faced card, the same on both sides, I like this
one the best. The plot is old. The means of accomplishing it is new and different. And there is
an added climax not possible heretofore.

Performer and spectator each hold 5 cards. Performer challenges spectator to make the same
moves as he. Performer then reverses certain cards, turns the whole packet over, reverses a
couple more, then spreads his cards to show they are all face up.

Although spectator has followed the moves exactly, he finds that one of his cards is face down.
This can be repeated indefinitely. Spectator can never wind up with all of his cards facing
one way.

Now for the added climax: Magician says that if spectator can’t make his cards come out the
same, then he, the magician, will magically cause his cards to adjust themselves so as to match
the spectator’s.

At this point the spectator’s packet has its center card reversed while the magician’s packet is
all face up. Magician snaps his fingers, spreads his cards, and sure enough, the middle card of
his packet is also reversed. Thus his packet now matches the spectator’s.

For a further fillip, it is just as easy to make the 2 reversed cards match. For instance, if
spectator’s reversed card is the Jack of Spades, the magician’s reversed card is found to be the
Jack of Clubs (the other black jack).

- 18 -

samebothsides.indd 18 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

All this is accomplished with no sleights, just the aid of one double-faced card, the same on
both sides.

In a very early issue of Peter Warlock’s “Pentagram”, Milt Kort contributed, “Kortially Yours.” The
theme was that a spectator was unable to obtain the same result as the magician, although
he followed the moves implicitly. My objection was that the moves were so numerous and
complicated it was almost impossible to memorize them. Further, you had to secretly reverse
one card, hard to do under the nose of a watchful spectator.

In a later version, the source for which my notes do not disclose, the effect was the same but
it was necessary to turn over two cards as one while making the series of moves, sometimes
not easy to accomplish undetected. Grant followed with his version. Ken Brooke followed with
another. So the plot is not new.

But I claim the one now to be described is easier and more effective than the others, the
moves so few and simple no memory work is needed, and with a denouncement not possible
with the others.

Start by having the double faced card, same both sides, among the bottom nine. If you like
you can shuffle, retaining the bottom stock, but the trick is such that a shuffled deck hardly
adds anything to the effect.

Turn deck face up and thumb off 10 cards, face up, from the face of the pack. Separate these
into 2 packets of 5 each. Hand the spectator 5 ordinary cards. Keep the other 5, i. e., 4 ordinary
and the double facer.

The double facer is second from the top of your face up heap. While not necessary, if you want
to add this feature, hand spectator his 5 cards arranged so the mate to your double facer is
second from the top of his heap. If double facer is JC, the mate would be the JS, if QH, the
other would be the QD.

Each squares his packet, holding it face up. You remove the top card, reverse it, that is, turn it
back up, and transfer it to the top of packet without reversing it. Spectator follows suit. You
take the third card, reverse it and place it on the bottom of your heap. Spectator does the
same. You take the fourth card and without reversing it, place it at the bottom.

All 5 of your cards will now be face up. You spread them to show that they are. Spectator
spreads his and finds the center card is face down. At this point, if you wish, the whole
procedure may be repeated, and still the spectator comes out different from yours. His center
card is always face down, the others face up.

- 19 -

samebothsides.indd 19 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

But the trick does not end here. Spread or fan the 2 packets so the situation may be clearly
observed. Tell him that if he is unable to match yours, then you must us a little magic and
match his. Square both packets. Turn both over. Snap your fingers over your packet. Spread the
packets out again. Each has 4 cards face down with the center one face up.

That is the surprise finish. You have apparently reversed one of your cards by magic to make
your pile in the same arrangement as his. As before stated you can manage to have the 2
face-up cards match in color and value at this stage. But that is not at all necessary.

CHINESE MIND READING

Burling Hull

In this clever stunt you require a double-face card that is the SAME ON BOTH SIDES. We will say
it is the ACE OF HEARTS on each side. On one side write several Chinese figures. Have this on
the deck so the unprepared side of ACE OF HEARTS is face out. Now on top of the deck have
the REGULAR ACE OF HEARTS from the deck, but on the face of this have DUPLICATE Chinese
letters. You are now all set for an amazing effect.

Step forward and call attention to the Ace at the bottom of the deck. Have any person write
any question on the face of the card, leaving it on the face of the deck to use as a writing
surface (then they will not turn the card over and note it is double faced).

Borrow a hat. This ACE is lifted and with it the card beneath by the double lift, BUT DO IT
CRUDELY SO IT WILL BE NOTED. Drop cards (the two held as one) crudely into the hat.

Now say you will call on the Spirit of an Old Chinese Mind Reader to answer the question.
Reach into hat and remove the ACE OF HEARTS so the side with Chinese letters on is face out.
Show the answer in Chinese.

The wise spectators will want to see the hat. Allow them to look into the hat and they find
another card, NOT A DUPLICATE ACE AS THEY EXPECTED. While they are doing this you can
TOP CHANGE the double Ace for the UNPREPARED ACE with the DUPLICATE CHINESE LETTERS
ON IT.

Then you can apparently decipher the Chinese answer (giving a suitable answer to the ques-
tion asked) and handing the card to the party, say, “Read it for yourself and see if I have
translated it correctly.”

*THIS FEAT CAN ALSO BE PERFORMED WITH GIANT CARDS FOR PLATFORM SHOWS.

- 20 -

samebothsides.indd 20 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

U-FIND IT
Burling Hull

For this novel little mystery you require a double-face card that is the same on both sides, say
the ACE OF HEARTS on each side. Have this on the BOTTOM of the deck, on TOP of the deck
have the REGULAR UNPREPARED ACE OF HEARTS and you are all set.

As in last trick force the fake ACE OF HEARTS, then cut it to the center of the deck. Now have
someone step forward. Say you are going to make a Magician out of him. Have him stand to
one side of you. Fan the deck facing the audience, this is so the backs of the cards are facing
the person helping you. In fanning the cards do not fan the top three or four – so the audience
WILL NOT SEE the regular ACE at the top of the deck. After fanning the deck out tell the party
to name any card. He will see the ACE OF HEARTS reversed and will know you want him to
name that card. As you ask him to name a card, kind of point to that one. He names the ACE OF
HEARTS. Ask if that is the card that was selected and they will say Yes, then tell him to point to
the ACE OF HEARTS and he does. This you pick out of the fan.

To the audience this is very mystifying AS THE ACE IS ALSO FACING THEM – so they believe all
the BACKS of the cards are facing the person.

As the party takes his seat, ask him not to tell anyone how it is done, etc. At the time
under cover of his body (as he passes in front of you) top change the double ACE for the
UNPREPARED one on top of the deck. Then you can show card freely front and back.

*THIS FEAT MAY ALSO BE PERFORMED WITH GIANT CARDS FOR PLATFORM SHOWS.

A STARTLING CHANGE!
Lloyd E. Jones

A method for changing a “wrong” card for the “right” one! Suppose you are concluding a four
ace trick, and the final card, the Ace of Spades turns out to be the Four of Hearts. Unknown
to your audience the error is intentional, and also unknown to your audience that there is
another Four of Hearts on the face of the deck. This Four of Hearts is a double face card with
the Ace of Spades on the hidden side. Immediately beneath, counting from the face of the
deck, are two different SBS cards.

Turn the offending Four of Hearts face down, and slap the pack down on top of it. (Leave
the other aces, they can be picked up later). Remarking that you will correct the error, turn
the deck face up and executing a second deal, slap the DF card, Four of Hearts face up onto

- 21 -

samebothsides.indd 21 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

the table. Second deal – assuming that you are holding the face up deck in your left hand in
dealing position, with your left thumb slide the face card, (the true Four of Hearts) to the left
and deal the next card with the Four of Hearts face up on the table. Take care in dealing the DF
card that the Ace of Spades side remains hidden. If, as you withdraw the DF card from the face
up deck, you revolve your left hand towards your body, turning the deck back up the move
will be covered. Don’t worry about your ability to do a “perfect” second deal. Done as described
here your deal will be adequate.

Casually, while the deck is back up, slip cut the true Four of Hearts from the bottom of the
deck. The two differing SBS cards should now be on the face of the deck. Turn the deck face
up and deal off the two SBS cards, one to each side of the showing Four of Hearts. Place the
deck on the table face up. Sandwich the cards on the table with the Four of Hearts between
the other two cards. Pick the stack up from the table, and while you are squaring them, face
up, ask, “Which Ace should we have?” Look at the audience as you ask the question, and as
their eyes briefly flick towards your gaze, turn the stack over and place it on the table. With
the response, “Ace of Spades” spread the cards in the stack on the table revealing that the Four
of Hearts has changed to the Ace of Spades, Pick up the stack, place it on top of your face up
deck, and put the deck back into the card case.

Instead of two double face SBS cards at the face of the deck, the effect can be performed with
two matching double backs at the top of the deck.

Matching double backs are SBS cards, aren’t they?

CARD TRANSPO
Jeff Busby

Effect: A red backed card changes place with a blue backed card.

Props: One SBS face card, one Double Back Card, Red one side, Blue on the other, and a regular
face card matching the SBS card. The regular card will have a Red back to match the Red
back of the DB card.

Stack: Top to bottom, top card SBS card, next the DB card with Blue side on top, and finally
the regular card face up.

Presentation: Fan the packet of three cards between both hands. Call to the spectator’s atten-
tion that two face cards are separated by a reversed Blue back card. Take the face up regular
card in the left hand, and the two fake cards in the right hand. Turn both hands over, but as

- 22 -

samebothsides.indd 22 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

the turn is being executed perform the two card monte switch with the cards in the right
hand. (Two card monte switch – as the hand is turning over slide the two cards across each
other switching their positions. It will appear that you are showing the reverse sides of the
cards). The result will be that the original face down Blue backed card is also a regular card
of the same value as the other two cards which apparently, (because of the Monte switch),
are Red backed cards.

Now, reverse the actions described above bringing the cards back to the original layout.
Remove the showing Blue back card, (without revealing the Red face), put it behind your back
momentarily and after reversing it, bring it out with the Red side showing. Immediately place
it behind the SBS card. Take both cards in the right hand, and again turning the hand over and
simultaneously performing the Monte switch, reveal that the card originally shown to have a
Red back now has a Blue back!

The Red back regular card? Just a red herring to confuse those who may be familiar with the
Two Card Monte switch!

ROYAL TRANSPOSITION
Ken Beale

Effect: Four Aces and four Kings are shown. One of the Aces is placed face up on the table, as
a leader; the other three Aces are dealt face down next to it. The same is done with the Kings.
The leaders are exchanged, the leader King being placed with the Aces, and the leader Ace
with the Kings. When the face down cards are turned up, it is seen that they have followed
their leaders.

Method: Needed are a SBS double-faced card (which should preferably be a picture card), and
a matching deck. In this explanation (and in all of those that follow) we will assume the SBS
card is the King of Diamonds.

Unlike other effects of this type, there are no difficult sleights. Only two very simple moves
are employed.

To prepare, the real KD is removed from the deck and discarded. It is replaced with the SBS
card which should be placed near the face of the deck.

To perform, the deck is removed from its case. It can be shuffled briefly, if the SBS card is not
disturbed from its position near the face. It can also be fanned face down, if desired, with the
last few cards being left unfanned, to hide the SBS card.

- 23 -

samebothsides.indd 23 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

The deck is turned face up, and the performer says that he’ll remove two sets of four of a
kind. This is done, removing the four Kings and the four Aces. Naturally, the SBS card is kept
the same side up always, so as to hide its other side. The rest of the deck is placed aside, as
it won’t be needed.

The four Kings are assembled into a pile, with the SBS card at the face. The Aces are also
assembled into a pile, with the Ace of Spades at the rear.

The King pile is picked up. (If this pile is kept square, it can be casually handled in such a way
as to show both sides. No attention is called to this). The pile is held face up in the left hand,
dealing position. It can be fanned briefly to show all four Kings, if desired. It is held squared
up. The SBS KD is the face card.

The Ace pile is picked up, shown briefly, then placed face-to-face with the Kings. That is,
the Aces are face down on top. The cards are squared, and the right hand removes the top
card (the AS), holding it face down in front of the performer. Not showing this card yet, the
performer says that it will be used as the leader of the Aces.

Now comes the chief move. As the right hand turns the AS face up, the left hand drops to the
performer’s side. The left thumb gets under the left side of the packet and pushes up; at the
same time, the second left, third and fourth fingers pull down on the right side. The left first
finger which has remained at the outer end of the packet, now comes under it at the bottom
(or right side) and pushes to the left. These actions will turn the packet over. The first finger
pushes it momentarily into the thumb crotch, then the other fingers complete the action of
returning it to a dealing position. They square the sides of the packet, as the first finger squares
the end. The packet is now back in the same position as at the start, but turned over. (This
move will hereafter be referred to as the Reversal Move).

- 24 -

samebothsides.indd 24 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

The right hand has meanwhile placed the AS face up on the table. The performer, for misdirec-
tion purposes, has been expounding on the peculiar magnetic power of this Ace over the
other Aces (or using any patter desired).

The left hand comes up into sight again. Keeping the left hand cards squared, the right hand
deals the top 3 cards face down into a pile on the table, next to the AS. These cards, which will
be Kings, are assumed to be aces. When they are dealt, the SBS KD will be seen at the face of
the others, thus “proving” that the Aces have been dealt.

At this point, the performer will be holding four cards in his left hand. These will be 3 Aces, with
the fake King at their face. It will now be necessary to remove the SBS card and to turn the
others face down, without flashing them, or revealing the other side of the fake. The move is
very easy, but a little hard to describe. What happens is that the right hand comes over to the
inner right corner of the packet. The first two fingers go under the fake card at this point: to
be exact, at the inner end of the right long edge. The right thumb comes down on the card,
so it is gripped between thumb and fingers. As this is done, the packet is tilted down to the
right, so that the left long edge is up. Now the right hand lifts the card up slightly, and the
left hand turns rapidly over sideways, so that it is palm down. If done properly, these simple,
natural actions result in the 3 cards being face down, and the fake still being the same side
up in the right hand.

During the above, the performer has been pattering about the KD and its power, just as he did
with the AS. The KD is placed on the table well to the left of the AS, and the 3 cards in the left
hand go face down next to it. Drawing on page 24 shows the position at this point.

The trick is actually done. For the sake of effect, however, the performer must slowly and
deliberately exchange the positions of the two leaders. After a pause and any desired magical
incantations, the face up cards are turned over, showing that the Aces are now with the AS,
and the Kings with the KD.

Notes:

1. I of course did not invent the Reversal Move. Many performers will already be familiar
with it, since it is in wide use. It is usually used to turn over a Kissed deck. If seated
at a table, the move may be done by dropping the left hand out of sight below the
table edge.

2. The description has of necessity been long and detailed, but the effect is really very
quick.

- 25 -

samebothsides.indd 25 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

3. I will leave the disposal or switching of the SBS card to the individual performer.

4. For card men who may wish to show the Kings on both sides, either before or after
the effect, the well known Elmsley Count is suggested. This is used when counting the
Kings face down.

CUT FORCE

Effect: A spectator cuts the deck anywhere. The cut is marked by placing the bottom half
face-to-face with the top half. When the card at the face of the top half is taken, it is the
forced card.

Method: Needed, as usual, are the SBS KD and matching deck. As in the previous trick, the
genuine KD is discarded, and replaced with the SBS card.

The simple set up is that the SBS card is on the face of the deck, with the force card second
from the face.

To perform, the deck is removed from its case. As in the preceding trick, it can be fanned face
down and given a brief shuffle, keeping the bottom setup intact.

Holding the deck face down and squared in his left hand, in normal dealing position, the
performer demonstrates what he wants done. With his right hand, he cuts off about half the
deck. He then asks a spectator to make the cut, “about the center.”

As soon as the packet is lifted off, the spectator is asked to hold it there, in a horizontal
position. Neither he nor anyone else should be able to see the face card of the cut. The
performer turns the bottom half of the deck face up with his right hand, and it is replaced in
the left. Explaining that this will mark the cut, the performer has the spectator replace his half
on the face up bottom half. “Your card is now face-to-face with the KD,” the performer adds.
(The KD has been in sight on the face of the bottom half ).

To supply a reason for the above actions, the performer explains that he wants two people to
participate in the selection of the card, so that all will be fair. (It is best to say nothing about
confederates). He asks another spectator for help, and meanwhile he executes the Reversal
Move (explained in the first trick). The only difference is that the weight of the full deck makes
the move easier. Once it is tilted slightly to the right, it will fall the rest of the way.

- 26 -

samebothsides.indd 26 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

Bringing the deck up again, the performer spreads it out. He points to the last face down card,
which is now the force card. This card will still be face-to-face with the KD, “proving” that all is
fair. The second spectator is asked to remove this card, and it is used for the trick at hand.

Notes:

1. It is important that the cut be made about the center, so that both halves of the deck
will be approximately the same size. Otherwise, the discrepancy in the size of
the packets before and after the move may be noticed.

2. Again, I’ll leave the disposal of the SBS card to the individual performer.

3. If the force is used for a prediction, only one spectator is needed. With a prediction on
the table, naming the force card, the usual procedure is gone through. After the
halves have been placed face to face, the prediction is picked up with the right
hand and given to the spectator. As he opens and reads it aloud, the Reversal Move is
performed. The deck is then brought up, spread, and the card is removed and checked.
(A prop like the Pocket Spirit Slates could be used instead of a prediction).

4. This force was developed as an improvement on Lin Searles’“So Simple Force,” which
originally appeared in The Jinx. It was also in Annemann’s Full Deck of Impromptu
Card Tricks.

PSYCHIC MESSAGE

Effect: The deck is cut and the cut marked as in the previous trick. Before placing the halves
together, however, a small blank card is put between them. Later, the selected card is removed,
and it is seen that a picture of this card has appeared on the small card.

Method: Besides the SBS KD and matching deck, two identical blank cards and some magi-
cian’s wax are needed.

To prepare, a picture of the force card is drawn on one side of the blank card. A small amount
of magician’s wax is placed on one side of the KD, and rubbed into the center of the design.
The same process is then repeated on the other side. (If the SBS card is a spot card, the wax is
rubbed into the center spots. It will be hidden in either case. Only a very little is needed).

The drawn-on card is placed against one side of the SBS card, drawing against the wax. The
deck is then arranged in a similar way to the setup for the force. That is, the SBS KD is at the
face, with the drawn-on card behind it. Behind that is the force card.

- 27 -

samebothsides.indd 27 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

With the blank card handy on the table, the preliminaries to the force are gone through, as
previously explained. The blank card is handed to one spectator for examination, and another
spectator does the cutting. After turning the bottom half over, the performer takes back the
blank card and places it on the face of the bottom half, pressing it against the wax. (One small
card is now stuck to each side of the SBS ). The rest of the force process is then carried out. The
performer explains the procedure by saying that a delay will give the spirits time to operate.
The blank card, in the center of the deck, is in the darkness needed, etc.

After a brief lapse of time, the performer spreads the deck and asks the spectator to remove
the last face down card. He then places the other face down cards on the table, and lifts up the
visible small card, pulling it free from the wax. He then turns this card over, showing that it now
bears a picture of the chosen card. (Before handing the card out, the performer should use the
fingernails of the hand holding it to remove any clinging bits of wax).

Notes:

1. Instead of a drawing, the name of the card may simply be written on the small card. Or
two of the miniature card photos sold by dealers may be used: a blank one and
another showing the force card. These should be larger than the tiny ones usually used
in the Photographic Card and Coin Trick.

2. If desired, the blank card may be marked. In this case, the performer remarks, as soon
as the halves have been put together, that he forgot to have the card initialed.
As the right hand removes a pencil from the breast pocket, the left hand does
the Reversal Move. The rest of the procedure is the same as above.

3. A resemblance may be noted between this effect and Hen Fetsch’s version of the
Photographic Card, in his book, Miniature Card Magic (published, I believe, by Magic
Limited). This trick can be called a variation on Fetsch’s, but let me add that I
had devised a very similar method to his (using coins instead of business cards) before
I saw his book.

TWO DECK MYSTERY

Effect: While a spectator examines and shuffles a red deck, the performer removes one card
from a blue deck. This card is put face down on the table, as a prediction. The spectator selects
any card from the red deck, and it is found to match the blue card.

Method: Besides the SBS KD, three decks will be needed. One is a One-Way Force Deck. The
force card can be any one except the KD. Another card, different from either, is on the face of

- 28 -

samebothsides.indd 28 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

the force deck. (We’ll assume that the force card is the 9S, the indifferent card the 6D, and the
force deck is red). The other two decks are a normal red and blue deck, complete with cases.
Both decks must have at least one Joker.

To prepare, the KD is discarded from the normal red deck. This deck, complete with Joker (s),
goes back in its case. From the blue deck, the 9S and the Joker(s) are removed. Only these cards
and the blue case will be needed. The rest of the deck is discarded.

The red force deck is arranged with the blue 9S at the rear. The Joker (or Jokers) is at the face,
with the SBS KD behind it. Behind that is the 6D. The deck is put into the blue case, so that
it will be face down when removed.

To perform, the red deck is removed from the case. The Joker is taken out and put face down
on the table, along with the case. The deck is put down separately. The “blue” deck is next
removed from its case, keeping it squared. It is turned face up and the Joker is removed and
put face down on the table, with the case. These should be in front of the performer, not to one
side. The “blue” deck, with the KD showing at the face, is retained face up in the left hand. A
spectator is asked to take the red deck, examine it if he desires, and shuffle it thoroughly.

While this is being done, the performer says he’ll remove one card at random from the blue
deck. He puts the deck behind his back (or under the table) and removes the rear card with
his right hand. It is turned face down, then both hands come back into view: the right with the
face down card, and the left with the rest of the deck, face up. (Except for the SBS KD, this “blue”
deck is now all red, and must be kept face up). The single blue card is put face down in the
center of the table, without being shown.

The performer takes back the shuffled red deck with his right hand. Remarking that he needs
space on the table, he puts the deck in his left hand, where it goes face-to-face with the one
already there. This is supposedly done to free the right hand, which now clears away the cases
and all Jokers, putting them to one side. (The Jokers should remain face down, so the proper
ones can later be found easily).

The left hand is meanwhile executing the Reversal Move, which will be found as easy with two
decks as with one. Coming back into view, the left hand helps the right to spread the face
down red cards and remove them. The same SBS KD will be seen at the face of the remaining
“blue” cards, seeming proof that all is well. The right hand spreads the red deck it holds face
down on the table. (This is now the force deck).

Keeping the “blue” deck face up, it is now spread out, showing the faces. The performer says
that some impulse led him to choose one from among all these cards. He doesn’t know the

- 29 -

samebothsides.indd 29 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

name of it yet, but – he points to the lone blue card on the table – there it is. The deck is
squared and replaced in the left hand. (The faces of both decks have now apparently been
seen). Explaining that he’s now finished with the blue deck, the performer picks up the blue
Joker and adds it to the rear of that deck. This allows the “blue” deck to be shown on both
sides again, when squared, and it can be handled normally as it is put into the blue case. The
cased deck is put aside.

A spectator is asked to touch any card in the red deck on the table. He may change his mind,
if he likes. When he has settled on one (any card except the bottom 6D may be chosen), it is
pushed out of the spread and put beside the blue card. It is not shown yet.

The red deck is now picked up and squared. Due to the indifferent 6D at the face, it can be
handled normally as the red Joker is added to it, and it is put in the red case. This deck goes
aside with the blue one.

All that remains is to build up the climax. The performer reminds everyone that the blue
card was removed by him at the beginning, before another card was selected, and that it has
been lying in view, untouched, ever since. He now turns this card up, showing it to be the 9S.
“Wouldn’t it be amazing,” he asks the spectator, “if you somehow selected the same card?” He
or the spectator now turns up the red card, showing that is indeed the same 9S.

In putting away the two 9S’s afterwards, it is best to merely open the proper case and insert
the card, without removing the deck.

Notes:

1. Any preliminary tricks desired can be done with the red deck (which can be set up in
advance, if necessary). Of course, it only contains 51 cards. The present effect should
come at the conclusion of the card routine, but can be followed with non-card effects.

2. To do other card effects later, a duplicate red or blue deck can be in its case, and an
exchange made in the pocket. Both decks can be switched this way.

3. This particular trick is based on one by Oscar Weigle, from the book, Do That Again.
Weigle’s effect was not for close up, and the deck switch was quite different. The basic
red and blue deck switch idea is by Walter B. Gibson, and first appeared in Seven
Circles magazine. It was later reprinted in Magic From Seven Circles, and used again
by Gibson for an effect in a very early issue of the revived Conjuror’s Magazine.
More recently, the principle has come into use in attempts to duplicate the Brain Wave

- 30 -

samebothsides.indd 30 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

Deck effect, without a trick deck. Different handlings, usually employing a faked card
case, have appeared in various magazines. My trick precedes these later versions. None
of the published variations on the switch used the SBS card, or a technique anything
like mine.

4. Instead of a One-Way Force Deck, a Svengali or Rough and Smooth Forcing Deck could
be used.

THE BASHFUL QUEEN

Jeff Busby

Effect: Three kings, and a queen are seemingly shown freely on both sides. They are turned face
down in the hand, and squared. They are given a “twist” – a horizontal 180 degree turn, and
then fanned. The queen has reversed in the packet, and her face is blushing a bright red!

Props: SBS Queen. On one side of the SBS queen only, tint both faces of the queen with a
red felt pen.

Stack: Top to bottom. King, King, SBS queen with blushing side up, and the final third king.

Presentation: Fan the four cards faces up. Close the fan and simulate doing an Elmsley count,
but actually showing the cards fairly. Turn the cards face down, do the twist, and actually do an
Elmsley count keeping the SBS queen hidden. Patter to the effect that the queen was the belle
of the ball, but she was very shy. When the three kings paid her unusual attention, and were
extravagant with their flattery, she turned her back on them to hide her blushing face!

Climax: Fan the cards face down, (except the SBS Queen), and reveal the blushing queen!

MAY ALSO BE PERFORMED WITH GIANT CARDS FOR PLATFORM SHOWS.

NAME SPELLING
U. F. Grant

An SBS face card can be used to find a chosen card by spelling the chooser’s name.

Say, for example, that you are to find a card selected by a spectator named Smith. This name
has five letters so the SBS card is placed fifth from the bottom. (Determining which spectator is
going to be used and the preparation described in the example must be done beforehand).

- 31 -

samebothsides.indd 31 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

Presentation: Fan the deck with the cards face up. Close the fan and turn the deck, backs up.
Fan only the top half and have a card selected, memorized, and returned to the top of the
deck. Have the spectator cut the deck once and complete the cut. Spread the cards in a fan
on the table from your right to your left which will reveal the reverse side of the SBS card.
Starting with the first card to the right of the SBS card, turn a card face up for each letter in the
spectator’s name. As you call the last letter, the card you turn over will be the selected card.

COMPATIBILITY
Tan Hock Chuan

Effect: Two decks of cards are displayed. One deck face up, and one deck face down. Three
cards are freely selected from the face down deck. They are revealed. The face up deck is
fanned across the table top, and the duplicates of the selected cards are withdrawn from the
face up deck. The cards from the face up deck are inserted, face up, into the face down deck.
The selected cards from the face down deck are inserted, face down, into the face up deck.
The decks are squared. Magic words are uttered, (or the wand is waved, the fingers snapped, or
whatever), then the face up deck is picked up by the left hand, placed in the right hand, and
fanned across the table top. The duplicates of the selected cards, which had been inserted face
down, are now face up! The face down deck is picked up by the left hand, and placed in the
right hand. The deck is fanned across the table face up. The selected cards, which had been
inserted face up in the face down deck, have reversed themselves and are now face up!

Props: One straight deck, and one deck of SBS cards, (one SBS card for each card in a straight
deck). Both decks should be the same size, (bridge or poker size). Card finish, and markings of
both decks should be compatible.

Working: Practically automatic, as described in “Effect,” with one exception. In each instance
when the deck is “picked up with the left hand, and placed in the right hand” the deck is
revolved 180 degrees sideways, (turned over). The “revolve” of the SBS deck should be very
casual and attention diverted with patter or dialogue. The “revolve” of the straight deck should
be ostentatious. Audience attention should be firmly focused on the face that the cards have
reversed themselves.

Clean-Up: Finish with both decks fanned across the table top. While pattering about the
reversals, take the three SBS cards from the straight deck, and re-insert them into the SBS deck.
Likewise, take the three straight cards from the SBS deck, and re-insert them into the straight
deck. Case both decks immediately, and get the SBS deck out of action. It cannot be examined.
In handling the SBS cards take care not to reveal that the cards have two faces.

- 32 -

samebothsides.indd 32 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

THE “DILLY DECK!”

Lloyd E. Jones

In 1944 , Theron Fox came to me with a magical problem. Said he, I have been using double
face cards in some of my tricks, but have found some I can’t use. How come, I replied, and
was told that in a deck of double face cards there would be found six cards with the two
faces alike. In other words, the K, Q, and J, of both Diamonds and Clubs were duplicated on
both sides of the cards.

What can be done with them?

A score of years ago, the great Charles T. Jordan created the Unique Reverse. In which a “freely”
selected card reversed itself in the deck. The Jordan touch led to a trick in which the effect
was immediately repeated by a second card but the cards were cut, glued, and the deck also
stacked. The same principle could be applied using the odd “Dilly Cards” but then, only one
trick resulted. How about MORE? This then, is the DILLY DECK gentlemen – and may it lead you
to create some tricks of your own.

Discard the six duplicates from a regular deck (K, Q, J, of D and C). Shuffle the balance well
and place all the remaining court cards in the bottom half of the deck. Mix the Dilly Cards
then place one of them face up on the table (don’t try to place it face down – that’s a joke
son. Get it?) Now on top of it place the next two cards that follow it in the Si Stebbins system.
Underneath it place the two cards that precede it in that system. You now have a stack of five
cards. Do the same with the other Dilly Cards and then pick up the piles in any order you wish
and place them backs up on the balance of the deck. On top of all these drop a double backed
card and the Dilly Deck is now set. Take a second deck, preferably of the opposite color and
reverse the King of Diamonds in it. Place both decks in their respective cases and have ready
when desired to present.

Both decks are moved from their cases and placed on table. The regular deck is placed to
one side and the Dilly Deck is taken up. With pack face down, the top card (double back) is
dealt on to the table, magician remarking that card is a special one, known as a “dilly” and its
trickiness will be shown later. Deck is fanned with faces to a spectator and request made for
him to touch any card he wishes. Now since the top half of the deck is stacked, whatever card
is touched by the spectator can readily be named by the performer. The dilly cards are staring
him in the face so if they are touched they can be rapidly named whereas any of the two cards
on either side of the dilly cards can be readily named after a little concentration.

- 33 -

samebothsides.indd 33 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

Of course, if desired, the bottom of half of the deck can be submitted to an overhand shuffle
and as the cards are touched they can be withdrawn and dropped on the table. The regular
cards dropping back up and the dilly cards being placed “face” up. This “location” is performed
a time or two, then the magician proceeds to withdraw all the court cards in the top half
of the pack, the deck being cut and the top half being fanned faces up as this is done. The
psychology at work here is to give impression that all the deck is of ordinary cards and that all
faces and backs can be seen. Or, if one of the dilly cards has been drawn, the magician states
he will withdraw the remaining court cards of that suit and those of the opposite colors. But
either method results in the dilly cards resting “face up” on the table. How, the request is made
to spectator to point to one of these. This done, attention is directed to the card which has
been named as a “Dilly.” The selected card is placed under this special card and magician states
that the magical properties have caused this “Dilly” card to turn into a duplicate of the selected
card! Both cards are held at finger tips and then turned over to show the underneath side. This
is the old two card Monte move applied in a new style! The top card is slid over as the cards are
turned in the customary style and any spectator will swear that the two cards are duplicates.
After all, what spectator has heard or knows of double faced or double backed cards? This
move completed, spectator is asked to touch a second card and the “Dilly Card” obligingly
changing to match it too! (In the spectator’s mind). Twice should be enough although a third
change is not to be avoided. This move alone will make you a user and friend of the Dilly
Deck.

Now, if the King of Diamonds has been used in this move, it is again taken and shoved near the
second deck as magician patters about the effect the dilly card has on cards. The second deck
is spread backs up and the King of Diamonds is seen face up in the deck!

The card is removed, and of course can be examined. Meanwhile the magician is gathering
up the five remaining dilly cards and holding them squared in his hand. Now, he says, we will
place this dilly face up in the back down deck (second deck) and he does so. And the King of
Diamonds which has so magically reversed itself, back down in to the face up dilly cards. The
magic word, and turning the second deck face up, he spreads it and shows that the King of
Diamonds (the dilly) has turned over! During this, the magician drops his hand to the side with
the “dilly packet” and turns it over. Now, bringing the packet in to view, the cards are spread out
and the King from the second deck is seen to have turned over too! It is dealt on to the table
and the dilly cards all dropped on the face up dilly deck and the whole set is placed back into
its case. The second deck, being ordinary, can then be used for any number of succeeding card
tricks that it may be desired to present.

And that is the Dilly Deck. Like it? Well, I wasn’t particularly enthused over it until I gave it its
first public showing. The reception was such that I became convinced that it is better than
it appears.

- 34 -

samebothsides.indd 34 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

The effect on a layman is quite interesting and leaves an impression of real magic.

HERE ARE SOME QUICKIES!

Bob Gunther Johnny Murray

1. On table a deck of cards from which the card matching the SBS card has been removed.
Beside the deck an Ace of Spades, (or whatever), SBS card. Take the deck in one hand, and the
SBS card in the other. Place both hands behind your back. Announce that you are going to
place the Ace of Spades, (or whatever), into the deck. Do so, and return the deck face down to
the table top. Then give your business card to a spectator and have the spectator write “face
up, “ or “face down” on the card. The business card is placed on the table, message side up.
If the message reads “face up” immediately fan the cards face down and reveal the “face up”
SBS card. A prediction! If message reads “face down” turn the deck face up and reveal that the
inserted SBS card faces the same way as all the others. Prediction executed!

2. Place an SBS court card, any suit in a spectator’s breast pocket. Then, from the deck force
the four of the corresponding suit on another spectator. Declare that the card you placed in
the other spectator’s pocket has the same number of spots as the “chosen” card. Remove the
card from the spectator’s pocket, and count only the suit pips on each side. After the reaction,
(applause or groans) examine both sides of the SBS card carefully, and announce, “Wait till
Ralph Nader hears about this!”

3. Worked in conjunction with the “Crooked Deck.”“Those are crooked cards all right. But did
you ever see a card that is totally dishonest? Show an SBS card. “ Get it? It's two faced!” –
After the initial reaction, you explain, “It is a card from a deck of marked cards; they call them
readers. This one was made in Poland!” (Duck and run).

THE MIRROR CARD

Lloyd E. Jones

As I stepped into JOE BERG’S display at the T. A. O. M. Convention in Dallas (1971) he was
showing a Mirror Glass to a prospect. Whap! The idea hit me – why not an SBS card as a mirror!
And indeed why not? GLENN GRAVATT wrote the idea had great possibilities and both BOB
GUNTHER and JOHNNIE MURRAY wrote saying the idea was “brilliant!” So, we close our little
book with an idea that can give you much food for thought.

Of course, you must find a glass to fit your card. If it is fluted, it could be better than a plain
glass but in either case you have a “mirror that is not in the least suspicious. If the glass is a
trifle too big, a strip of plastic on either side will hold the card upright. Give a thought too to
the glass being further gimmicked: bottomless, slitted, or with a hole in the back.

- 35 -

samebothsides.indd 35 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM

 SBS – SAME BOTH SIDES

With two glasses, cards can change places, using regular double face cards. As I write, a gag
boils up! You need an egg – and a glass. You so state, and see the glass with a deck of cards in
it. You remove the deck, but leave one card behind. It is a queen. You note the queen and say,
“That’s a cute little chick! Chick lay an egg,” you pass a hand or most likely cover with a hank
as you reverse glass and there is an egg! Remove card and place it face up (?) on the table and
proceed with your trick. You could place glass in a spectator’s palm and crack the egg into the
glass. Are you way ahead of me? The glass is bottomless!

You can start out with the glass empty. Your deck of cards has an SBS card at the back with a
dab of scotch tape attached and to it an egg. You casually show glass, drop deck in then state, “I
only need one card,” remove all but the tricked card. Now proceed to produce the egg.

You wish to do the Miser’s Dream. You note the glass, hold it up. It is empty but for the card
and the audience doesn’t know that behind that card is a coin or two or even a stack of them.
You let the coin(s) slip into you hand as you remove the card and are ready to proceed with
your coin routine.

You tie two silks together and place them in our Mirror Card Glass. A flick of a larger silk (to
reverse glass and the silks change color, become knotted, or unknotted, or that just vanished
silk is found in between the other two. A 20th Century Silk Trick without a gimmicked silk.

If you have a library, you can find my trick in which an egg containing a dollar bill is openly
switched for the examined one. Now, this glass simplifies the switch and eliminates that table
with wells. Open and bold. Another gag hits me, but it creates a problem. However, I will let you
worry about that! The Mirror Card is a three spot. You have the egg. You place it on the card
you remove from the glass and ask the audience, “Do you know why I use this card?” No? It is
because it is a TREY (tray). (My trick with the table switch is in MEET THE BOYS, 1935 – p. 38.)

I have no intention of making this a “Fifty Ways to Use a Mirror Card,” article. It is possible,
but that I leave to you.

- 36 -

samebothsides.indd 36 9/12/2012, 9:54 PM