I much more prefer the presentation of showing the four jokers face up instead of just saying there are four jokers and one is face down. Has anyone who has done the move suggested in the instructions find it convincing ? Is there a better method out there? The nature of the gaff seems to eliminate many smoother possibilities. Thanks

You could try the Duplicount by Gordon Bruce.
This is a little used move and it is incredibly deceptive. All four cards are shown to be the same in a very fair manner. The sleight relies on a smooth rhythm to be deceptive and the illusion created is very similar to Jean Pierre Valarino’s Rhumba Count.

Published in the Gordon Bruce issue of Pabular – Vol 5 Issue 5

Flustration count works for me, followed by a reversal move like in Vernon's Twisting the Aces. PM me for detailed handling.

Yes, I do it as per instructions and I think it works well.

I always say perform NFW by explaining there are four jokers, with a special move one turn face down. Then act as if I forgot to show all four beforehand and say something like, "Oh crap, I didn't show you all four face up, did I? That can't be that impressive, so let me turn another face down." Then continue on...

Got a question ?

I've always started with a DM count, what I don't like is the third "twist", I prefer to do Louis Simonoff's flippant move instead, using the same premise, so if they see it, it doesn't matter.

This has been discussed before. My favourite solution to this problem is to add an extra Joker to the packet (see above link for more details). This allows you to show 5 face-up Jokers in a more relaxed manner and then hand one out to a spectator. Your helper can then wave the face-down Joker over the packet before you reveal each reversal.

However, there is nothing wrong with treating the first reversal as a joke. This lowers expectation, which makes the final kicker transformation more shocking.

Marty

Here's another useful thread:

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......m=201&22

Marty

This has to be one of my favorite card tricks ever!

Thanks for the link. It helped me decide how I'm going to present this effect.

What's that move? I don't know it. Care to elaborate?

Ross, just PM'd you with details of those two moves.

Marty

I agree upfront here that the move showing the 4 jokers works fine. That's the way I do it and there's never a problem. It takes all of about 5 seconds to go by and specs forget about it as soon as the cards start turning face down. It's really no big deal to do it either way, either making the show of the 4 jokers using the count or by implying that you have 4 jokers and beginning by showing one joker already face down. It really doesn't bother specs either which way but I like doing the quick count as I like to put the visuality of 4 jokers a bit more solidly in their mind, plus I feel calm, cool and collected when I do it.

Seriously, I think the count works to show the 4 jokers because it sets up a more comprehensive flow into the EC. If you imply 4 jokers, it seems somewhat a bit abrupt to just start with the EC, it's always been a bit awkward feeling to me. That said, it still works pretty fine that way as well. A matter of preference but the instructions with the effect are quite complete in the ways to start it. All the other counts and additions, etc., aren't really necessary unless you just got a thing for changing things or perhaps it truly makes you feel like you're doing the effect more effectively. Beyond that, I'd say everything you need is right in that little package, just mix in the due diligence of practice and it will work just fine as is, either which way.

And as I've mentioned in other strings on this, I've rarely seen anyone do this effect any better than in this old video. The flow of movement in the handling is absolutely perfect and if you come to do it half as well as it is done here (and it's completely doable as that's about how I do it and I'm mostly a coin guy), then I doubt if you'd ever feel a need to change a thing. It's hard to argue with perfection, unless you just like to argue...I'm just sayin'. Just endeavor a little bit here and you'll get it, it's really not that hard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMeuv2vpx7U