I just got my copy of The Secrets of So Sato (by So Sato & Richard Kaufman) today and have been playing around with a variation to Another "All Backs" (??????????), itself a variation on Mike Skinner's Direct Backs & Faces.

The thought occurred that I might be able to improve the trick by employing a double-backed card. I rarely use gaffs but this seems like an effect that could possibly benefit from one, in that any spectator thinking "those cards aren't *really* all backs" might start to wonder should a double-back card be openly flipped in front of him. Not audience-tested yet; I'd like to know what other magicians think of this idea/handling first! Or maybe you have your own ideas you could suggest.

My variation preserves everything already in this trick but adds the following:

Start with the double-backer on top of the deck or get it there in some other way. Prior to the initial spread of the face-up deck, buckle the bottom two cards. In this way you can display the seemingly bottom-most face-up card without exposing the double-backer underneath it.

Proceed with the trick as in the book. After the first turnover half-pass and after spreading the face-down deck to display their backs, pull the top card off and flip its back to the spectators (its face towards you) saying "This card's a back." Then pull off the bottom card, the double-backer, (being very careful not to expose the 3 face-up cards above it) and flip its underside to the spectators continuing "That card's a back. They're all backs." This is the first of two occasions when you openly flip the double-backer in such a way that makes it obvious that it is a double-backer. Replace it.

Then proceed with So's clever tabled all backs display as described in the book. The first card you dish to the table is the double-backer. Try to have it tabled a bit more haphazardly than the others will be. At the end of this display when you are about to insert the remaining cards from your hands underneath the double-backer, pull the double-backer to the side a bit as if it is getting in the way. Slip the remaining cards underneath it as usual. Then idly notice that the double-backer isn't aligned with the other tabled cards (not that they are even aligned with each other), pick it up, openly flip it to glance at it, and place it on the top of all tabled cards. Then collect the deck and turn it over a final time, as in the book (the double-backer is now on the bottom). The purpose of all that is to, without drawing excessive attention to the matter, get skeptical spectators who doubt you really changed a deck to be all backs to wonder, "Oh, if that card actually is double-back could they all be?"

To dispose of the double-backer, release it from the bottom of the deck onto your lap or the floor. Or you could bottom palm it and have a plausible reason to put your hand into your pocket where it can be deposited. After it is disposed of, perform the final color change.


That's it. Any thoughts or ideas for improvement?

I suppose the downside is that your audience will know without doubt that gaffs exist and that you use them. I'm contemplating eliminating the first flip of the double-backer; it's not strictly necessary and I don't want to overdo things.

Good analysis of the effect. Kudos.

The notion of adding real gaffs to the "All Backs" routine has been occasionally explored - and most notably by Derek Dingle with his routine where the deck changes color twice.

And yes, the strategy of having getting a volunteer to select that DB card and playing "oops" as they discover it has no face ... and then you look at the cards ... is worth exploring.