Annemann's Aces at Random

Here's an updated handling for one of Ted Annemann's favorite impromptu effects. Annemann would begin by fanning the cards face down and asking a spectator to touch the back of any card and pull it out about an inch.This was repeated three more times; which resulted in four cards protruding from the pack. He would then close the fan, square all sides and withdraw the four projecting cards with the left fingers. The rest of the deck was then dropped on top of them. Turning the pack face up, he would deal the four bottom cards onto the table to show amazingly the spectator had selected all four Aces.

Original handling
In the course of performing another trick, Annemann would get the four Aces to the bottom of the pack. Then, when withdrawing the four projecting cards, he would secretly withdraw at least the four cards on the bottom of the deck (the Aces) under cover of the random cards. The deck was then dropped on the entire lot and turned face up. Annemann's method of accomplishing this was described as follows: "The right hand had earlier assisted by pushing forward the four or more bottom cards in readiness for the withdrawl as described."

Our updated handling
Place a lengthwise upward crimp in the four Aces before positioning them on the bottom of the pack, as shown in Photo 1. Fan the cards and have four random cards selected and pulled out about an inch by a spectator or spread the cards from left to right and use your right hand to outjog each card as it is selected, the left thumb temporarily holding it each time until the cards grip it as you continue spreading the cards again. Repeat this process until all four selected cards are protruding. Square up the corners and then with the deck in the left hand, grip all of the cards with the right hand from above as if you were going to do a Hindu Shuffle. Note: The right thumb maintains the break above the crimped Aces. Photo 2 shows an exposed view with the left hand removed. At this point, your left hand slides forward and using the ball of your left thumb - carries the four Aces with it. See Photo 3. The crimp makes this a very easy matter. As the left hand continues forward, the left fingers on one side and thumb on the other grip the random cards and pull them out of the deck - letting them fall on the Aces after clearing the end of the deck. Without hesitation, the right hand slaps the rest of deck on top of the cards in the left hand (apparently just the four randomly selected cards). Turn the deck face up and deal the four Aces. To conceal the added thickness of the extra cards in your left hand, tilt the hands downward slightly when doing these moves.

So you have it. A great little impromptu quickie or an opener for a series of "Four Ace" miracles. You can, of course, shuffle the cards. Just leave the Aces intact on the bottom.