++ 04 The Svengali Cards ++

Svengali Magic Cards are among the greatest magical packs ever devised. They consist of forty-eight cards: twenty-four ordinary cards (all different) and twenty-four duplicate short cards (all the Three of Clubs). With this pack you will be able to perform many incredible card tricks!

Preparing the Cards

To assemble the pack, first remove any extra cards, such as the Jokers, bonus and advertising cards. Now, carefully alternate a duplicate short card with an ordinary card throughout the pack.

Make sure that the top card of the pack is a duplicate card and the bottom (face card) is an indifferent card. Unless otherwise specified, this is how the Svengali Magic Cards should always be set up at the start of each trick.

Due to this set-up, the cards will be alternately short and long. This is what makes it possible for you to create stunning card tricks within minutes.

Showing All the Cards to Be Different (Riffle Display)

To display every card to be different (just like a normal pack of cards), hold the pack in your right hand with your thumb on the top edge and your fingers on the bottom.

By pressing your right index finger on the back of the pack, you will be able to flick the cards gently from your right hand into your left hand, displaying each card individually as it falls. Do not worry if you find this movement hard at first. It will quickly become second nature.

Because the Three of Clubs cards are shorter, your thumb will miss each of these cards as you flick through the pack. No matter how slowly you flick through the cards, every card will appear to be different – just like a regular pack!

Showing the Cards to Be the Same (Riffle Display)

Now you have learned to display every card as different, you can also display every card to be a Three of Clubs. Simply repeat the previous action. However, instead of holding the cards facing away from your hand, hold them facing your hand with the back design facing outward. When performing this move, ensure that the bottom card is a Three of Clubs. This will complete the illusion that all the cards are the same.

Forcing the Three of Clubs

‘Forcing’ a card means getting a spectator to choose a specific card while convincing them that they had a completely free choice. The Svengali pack is excellent for forcing the Three of Clubs!

Using the riffle display as described earlier, you ask a spectator to say “stop”. No matter when the spectator tells you to stop, the top face-down card in your left hand will always be a Three of Clubs. Have the spectator look at the face-down card (the Three of Clubs) and then replace it in the same part of the pack.

Place the rest of the cards on top of the selected card and everyone will think that a freely selected card has been lost in the centre of the pack. Of course, you already know that the card is the Three of Clubs.

Fastest Trick in the World

After you have forced the Three of Clubs on one of your spectators, have the card returned to the pack (remember to have it replaced in the same position, so that it doesn’t disrupt the order of the cards).

Place the pack in your pocket and say, “During my last show, the spectator forgot his card, so please don’t forget your card – the Three of Clubs”.

Watch Very Carefully

Ask a spectator to select a card (forcing the Three of Clubs). Have them look at the card (without showing it to you) then replace it where it came from in the pack. Place the pack carefully onto the table and show that your hands are empty. Ask your spectator to watch very carefully to make sure you do not cheat. Gently tap the pack three times and ask the spectator to turn over the top card of the pack. Amazingly, it will be the chosen card!