I've owned Double Take for over a year but just today thought I'd try that stop trick with the tabled double. I think it's the perfect magician fooler, particularly if you let the spectator shuffle the deck prior to the effect. Anyone perform this one? And is this method original with Wilson? It just seems like it would be a very old method of doing this trick.

I can't really say anything about the trick you mentioned, but I can say that Greg Wilson ROCKS. I was at one of his lectures a couple days ago... all I've got to say is BOOMERANG CARD OF DEATH... that's a cool effect.

In the break he borrowed a deck of cards and started doing a couple moves and flourishes like the curly cue fan thingy... grrr I hate that guy

Hi Platt,

I've been working on this effect. It's a rather bold move, and if your cards are too "clean", the tabled double too easily separates. It works better with a deck that's a little "dirty". (cards don't slide apart as readily) The "bold" part to me is, the audio-visual illusion of thumbing off the top card. I'm still working on it to get it to look natural and convincing.

I've had mixed reactions to the other two effects he teaches with the "Stop Trick." The "Double Monte" can be squirrelly, when I go to lift the card off the table while thumbing apart the double. The "7-up" has gotten better reactions, especially with the blue-backed kicker at the end.

By the way, did you catch what G. Wilson did on the first demonstration of the "Double Monte"? Hint: He doesn't use a DL on the first demo.' Only on the subsequent demo' (he does it a second time) and the explanation. The first demo' uses a deceptive visual retention move. It's so visually convincing that I don't use a DL anymore on this effect.

Cheers,
Jim

This move is featured on Derren Brown's 'Devil's Picturebook' video and I'm not sure if he makes a reference to its origin. It works perfectly in his 3 Card routine and when dealt in a row, leading right up to the tabled double.

The only other tip I can offer is to stay clear of shiny or wooden surfaces as both cards slide and the effect is far from convincing.

Groovy

This sounds very much like an effect from the Secret Sessions that is an open prediction. A card is placed on the table. The deck is shuffled and then a number of cards are dealt (specs choice). The card at the number is the mate of the tabled card.