Annemann's Locatrix

A simple method of location is that which follows. The basic principle together with the disclosure make an exceptionally clean stunt, and while the principle is not new it has been enlarged upon to the point where it will confuse even those who are acquainted with or have used the old, single key card idea.

Effect
The deck is handed to a spectator while the performer turns his back. He requests that the person deal the cards face down into a pile, singly and silently, and to stop dealing at any time that he pleases. At such a time, he is told to look at the top card of either the pile he is holding or the pile on the table, then to place the two packets of cards together and cut the assembled deck a couple of times.

Turning around for the first time, the performer takes the cards, glances through them, and finally says that it may be easier to locate the card while the pack is behind his back. Putting the cards behind his back for a moment, he remarks that he has it at last, and the deck is brought around and placed face down on the table. The spectator names the pasteboard he originally noted, and the performer discloses it correctly and without a chance of failure.

Method
While this is not a sensational trick, you will find it one of those nice impromptu effects that is easy to remember and to present at a moment's notice. The top and bottom cards are noted and remembered as keys before the deck is handed out. It will be seen from the above directions, which are given very carelessly, that the spectator receives the impression he does just about what he pleases. He stops dealing when he desires, looks at the card on the top of either heap, puts it back on either heap, and places the two piles together and cuts. And there is no chance that he may do the wrong thing as far as the performer is concerned.

On running through the pack, the performer looks only for the card to the RIGHT or under each of the remembered key cards. One of these is the noted card without fail. Both are brought to the top of the deck and, remembering the top one, the performer states that it may be easier to locate the card behind his back. The deck is placed behind his back for a moment and the top card is pushed, face up, into the center of the deck. The hands are brought to the front again and the deck is laid face down on the table as the spectator names his card. The performer formally discloses it, either by turning over the top card or by spreading the deck on the table to reveal the face up pasteboard in the center of the spread.