I particularly like the Mike Powers' version in his new book. It's a hands off trick where the spectator deals the cards to himself, cuts one of the piles to find his card, then loses it among the other packets. Then you go through a lie detector series of questions until he finally hits on his card. This one is killer and self working! So what's your favorite version?

Actually I really like the Mike Power's version as well. However when I did it for my wife, while she like it, she commented that I already did a lie dectector spelling effect that was similar (which I do). So I "tweaked" the Powers effect. After I deal the cards face down a second time I ask the spectator how they want me to pick up the piles (either right to left or left to right). I then reassemble the 21 cards according to their wishes. I then say I"m going to riffle shuffle the packet and spread over the top ten cards for a riffle shuffle. Since their selection is always at tenth card from the top I just make sure its at the bottom of the packet after the shuffle. I then do a gemini twins routine where I deal the cards one at a time and stop whenever they want and insert a locator card face up from the rest of the pack. When I then spread the cards I emphasize that they cut the cards where ever they wanted and I shuffled the cards and they stopped where ever they wanted. The responses I"ve gotten for this are way out of proportion to the work Involved.

Interesting version Midway, although it does take away from the spectator doing all the work and it gets rid of the hands free feel to it. Also check out Bill Goldman's take on the 21 card trick.

Jon Racherbaumer is compiling many versions of the 21 Card Trick. He is writing a manuscript on this effect. There are MANY versions out there. Some that you know, and some that you don't know. Keep your eye out for it.


Best,
Trini

From Ed Marlo has come excellent variations explained in his classic but hard to find book 'Marlo Without Tears' which is a Jon Racherbaumer book, so I wouldn't be surprised if they may show up there as well.
Magically, Jack

There is an interesting 21 card trick in some old lecture notes by John Mendoza. I think the effect is called streamline 21. I remember doing this a few years ago and it really is streamlined.

Walking Bob in Iowa

Andrew Wimhurst has a version called "Cheating at 21" that is one of the best impromptu effects I have ever performed. You can use a borrowed deck (I have found that to be most effective) and it is hands off. To a lay audience, it is staggering. To an audience of magicians, it is equally as staggering.

You can see Andrew perform it on his award winning video from A1 Video.

I second the above post on Andrew Wimhurst version of this effect. It's simple but plays strong in the right hands.

I'm not really familiar with the other versions in print but, as I mentioned in the other 21-card trick I foolishy started, I came up with my own version where the spectator's card is a different colored back than the rest of the cards. Nothing special, but it plays so nice.

Josh, I tackled the Technicolor 21 Card Trick already. It is in one of my lecture notes.

Best,
Trini

Chris Kenner's, "Must be 21 to Enter"

Jack Parker has not one but 2 in Set to Stun or Set to Kill. I forget which set its in, but both notes are fantastic.

XX

Sunken 21 & Invisible 21 by Jack Parker are both in Set to Kill.
http://www.jacksdeck.com/25.html

My favourite is 'The World's most obscene 21-card trick' from 'The Little Egypt Book of Numbers' by Steve Bryant.

Brian Glover.

Isn't "Overkill" from AOA a variation on this trick?

Bugjack I believe you are correct due to the principle it uses. Awsome trick by the way...it really kills.

Which one did Michael Ammar use in his ETMCM?