What is your pick(s) for the best estimation effect? With either real or no estimation skills.

Stop! by Harry Lorayne is a great effect to work on your estimation skills.

Yes, Stop! by Harry Lorayne is one of the most impressive effects out there. So as its cousin 4-5-6 by Al Thatcher.

Personally, I like 4-5-6 more because of less dealing.

Alex Hui

Regarding real estimation, I like to use a memdeck and perform the classic "cut to any named card." Requires practice and knowing the outs when you're off by 1 or 2 in either direction.

Another option if I get a glimpse of the bottom card is to have someone cut the deck anywhere and peek at the card cut to and replace it. Then cut the full deck a few times. Use the bottom card as a "floating key card" by using estimation to find the selected card. As above, you need to have a routine structured such that you can use an out if you're off by 1 or 2. I've got a routine where I actually prefer when I'm off by a little but of course the direct hit is always strong too.

Regarding 4-5-6, what is the best source of information to get a good deep explanation of the trick? The tutorial in Ultimate Self Working Card Tricks Vol 1 DVD is pretty scarce about possible outcomes.

"After Hours Magic" - A Book of Al Thatcher Card Magic is available as an ebook. Gordon Boyd was given access to Al's extensive notes and put the ebook together. There are 68 items in the book including 4-5-6 in two versions. It had previously been published in Precursor. The version in the ebook is the latest version. Two of the items from the Thatcher book have appeared in my Card Corner column in The Linking Ring.

The ebook is available for $20 at www.althatchercardmagic.com

Mike

Moe.

I'm partial to Harry Lorayne's Estimation Aces

That is a very good routine.

Recently I have adopted the Michael Vincent's version which is more sure fire but technically demanding.

If I have a borrowed deck, I will surely use Harry's version.

Dunno if this counts, but trosts weight guess

Can you refer me where I can find the Michael Vincent's version?

Also from Michael Vincent, I really enjoy Intuition Speller

I like "Numero Uno" by Harry Lorayne.

This is my goto effect with a borrowed deck. Very strong.

Ed Marlo's estimation aces.

Michael Vincent's Intuition Speller is a stunning effect.

AsL

Howard Hamburg, in one of his visits to Spain, did an amazing effect with estimation. Basically, the spectator glimpse any card and now the magician is going to memorize the deck. Then, ask to the spectator to say his card and the magician says in which position is it. Count, stop a few cards before, name every single card before show it ("I remember the fourteen (for example) is the eight of hearts, the fifteen is the queen of spades"), and when arrives to the number, there it is.

Totally impromptu and an amazing effect. I think is not published, but I am not sure.

Time a riffle peek so their card is roughly 13 cards from the top of a face-down deck. Hold break below their card after they retain it. After some byplay, have them name their card. Deal one card face up for each letter of their peeked selection. Most cards will result in their selection either face up at the last letter, or the next face down card. If not, a second deal, double deal, or multiple lift will get you to the correct card.

The ideal effect is to do it without a break and by dealing face up you stop on their card. If it turns up on "diamond" instead of "diamondS," your inflection sells that it was supposed to be the last card on the count of diamond all along. Simple but super fun and effective, especially on those who think they know everything.

I'll stick to Marlo's classic routine "Miracle Ace Cutting". Hands down, the best ace cutting routine ever. It has been updated by many magicians; Andrew Wimhurst's version is really good, so it's Michael Vincent's version.

Michael's Intuition Speller - raved about above - is his slight variation of my Controlled Spelling, which I've taught in a couple of my books.