Dear Fellow Magi,

I have begun exporing the use of stacks more seriously. I had stayed away from them for some time because of the very reason I am writing this post.

Each time I have tried to use a stack and I have asked the spectator to cut the deck or stack they are almost always extremely sloppy and miss a card or or two here and there when they cut. How do you avoind this? Should I do the cuts myself or at the very least let them cut and finish the cut or maybe do all cuts in their hand reducing the possibilty of a card being left behind on the table?

Anxious for your advice....
Dorian LaChance

Probably best to do the cuts yourself. But if they must cut, try having them do a tabled cut. Pantomime cutting off a portion yourself and setting it onto the table next to the deck. Then complete the cut yourself. Less chance of them screwing up this way.

Dennis Loomis

My approach has always been to spot someone who knows how to cut a deck of cards. I do this during previous effects which don't rely on a pre set deck. Just mentally 'clock' a spectator who can cut and complete without scattering the cards everywhere and you are home free. When you are ready to use a stacked deck just 'randomly' select the spec who know what they are doing !