Magician Breaks Down How Illusions Work / ADDED EFFECT : Occam’s Razor

Magician David Kwong breaks down magic into what he calls the “7 Principles of Illusion” and explains what goes into the execution of a magic trick.

ADDED EFFECT

Occam’s Razor
By Jim Canaday and Paul Lelekis

Effect:
The performer demonstrates how to improve a trick using Occam’s Razor

We are sure you are familiar with the term “Jazz Magic”. That concept is what this routine is based on.

We give you a skeleton routine with two places where you insert the method you like best. We will give you the method we like to use but feel free to replace it with one adapted to your taste or skill level.

You will need a DB (double backed card. Make one up to match your deck by gluing two cards together.) This gives you a thick card that you’ll utilize as a locator card. You will also need a duplicate (stranger) card. In the example, we will use two 6H’s.

Setup:
Place one of the 6H face up on top of the deck. Cover it with the DB and then place the other 6H, face down on top of all.

Routine:
“Is anyone here familiar with Occam’s Razor? William of Ockham was a philosopher who lived in the early fourteenth century. His theory stated that the simplest solution to something was usually the best. You cannot watch a cop show on TV without seeing this in action. When a murder is committed who do they always question first? That’s right. The spouse or a close relative or friend. This is because in a large percentage of these cases, that is who the perpetrator is. By applying Occam’s Razor, the case is solved a lot quicker with a lot less work.”

“And you may be familiar with the K.I.S.S. principle – ‘Keep It Simple, Stupid’. The same thinking applies here. I have noticed that the same principle can be used to create a magic performance.”

Phase 1:
“Some magicians feel that the more complicated they can make a trick or the more difficult sleight of hand they use, the more deceptive it is. Let me demonstrate.”

This scenario is supposed to look like the magician is following some sort of rules, but actually he is only keeping track of the 6H, unbeknownst to the spectators. It should appear to be haphazard and will also appear to be total nonsense to the spectators – but the performer must keep a straight face!

“This trick is referred to as the Rule of Threes. I don’t like the Rule of Threes because it is really hard to remember…and I have NO idea how it works – but it does work! Let me demonstrate. I will cut the deck and have you select a card.”

Slip cut the top 6H to middle, hold break and then riffle force to the break. (Note: This slip cut of the 6H to the middle should just appear to be a random cut. The spectators won’t have any reason to think that anything is happening at this point!)

Place 6H on top and undercut it to the bottom. The deck has DB on top with face-up 6H second from top and the duplicate 6H on bottom of deck.

“Here is where the Rule of Threes comes in. I cut off about a third of the deck. Now please cut the remaining packet into two packets about equal.”

Place deck on table and magician then cuts about 1/3 of deck (contains the FU, 6H!) and holds this in his hand as he mentions to cut a packet about the same size to the right OR left of the tabled deck! It’s her choice!
“Justify” why you are picking up that particular pile (NOT the packet with the 6H on bottom!) and place it BELOW the packet in your hands, keeping the set up on top of deck. You are just mumbling some “rules” that will appear to be important but are actually justifying your actions…in other words, it’s B.S.!

“Now please deal your cards into three piles. There’s that pesky three again!”

Have spectator pick up remaining packet and deal into three piles, allowing her to place any card at any pile she chooses. Watch which pile gets the last card (6H will be on top!). Pick up the other two piles and place below the growing pile in your hand.

“To make it even more confusing, now we change the rules. Deal your cards into two piles.”

Have her deal the remaining cards into two packets. Pick up the packet that doesn’t have the 6H on the bottom and place it on the bottom of the packet in your hands. Use Equivoque to force the packet you select. Place deck on table.
Pick up the remaining cards (6H on bottom!) and reverse count them. Justify the number (odd or even) and say (for instance) since there is an even number of cards left, the rules say I need to see if the top card is the selection! Turn up a double and ask spec. if this is her card. She will say “No!”
Turn double face down and place top card on table (it’s the 6H!). Pick up the deck from table and place the remaining cards on the bottom of deck. Reveal the 6H on table.

“Now I don’t like this method! It’s too hard to memorize! But Occam’s Razor can be applied.”

Phase 2: Push the 6H into the middle of deck and false overhand shuffle it to retain the top stock. This false shuffle is to make the spectators think that you’ve lost control of the 6H so that he or she won’t know where to cut!
Remember to keep the face-up 6H and the DB card on top of the deck after the shuffle!

“You can even find your selection yourself!”

Have spectator cut any size portion she chooses and place it into your open hand! This is to prevent the reversed 6H being exposed, prematurely.

Tip: Direct the spectator to cut the deck at the SHORT ENDS of the deck! This will provide the best method of keeping the face-up 6H from breaking!

The performer now replaces this packet, face up, on top of the deck as you mention the card, now facing upward, is NOT the selection! As you spread through the face-up cards, all the way down, mention that none of these cards is her 6H!
The above actions are like the first part of the Balducci Cut Deeper Force. But because of the DB card and the reversed 6H, it will appear to be a very legitimate cut!

When you come to the first face down card (the one she supposedly cut to) turn it up to show SHE has found her own card – the easy way!

“Occam has struck again!”

Note for clean-up! Place the left hand half on top of the right hand half and casually place the deck into your coat pocket, ditching the DB card – or just casually palm it off and ditch it. The focus will be on the tabled 6H.
Remember that you have TWO 6H in play so get rid of the 6H on the table so you can continue with your miracle works! The other one is in the middle of the deck.