Ted’s Mental Photography Page

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www.tedssterlingmagic.com/product/bicycle-rider-back-gaff-decks

Even though the seal is broken, you have received a new, never used, Mental Photography Deck.  In order to make an Mental Photography Deck, decks of special Bicycle cards are opened.  The cards are treated and placed in order to make the trick work. USPCC does not do this procedure, so we do it for you.

Secret   The deck uses a magic principle known and “Rough and Smooth” to make the cards cling together.  You will find that the cards are paired.  If you spread the cards, you will find that all the cards are blank on one side.  Each pair contains one face card with a blank back and one card showing the back with a blank face.  The rough texture allows the cards to stay together, but the slightest touch will cause them to separate.

Basic Handling:  You can make a card in the deck appear to be the only card printed.  You can also make the deck appear all blank, all regular face cards or all cards of the same back color. 

Helpful Tips 1) The deck should be broken in before it is used to perform. Make sure you know how much pressure needs to be applied to move the cards. It really is the slightest amount.  2) At the beginning of the trick, be careful not to riffle the deck after flipping it over as you will expose the whole deck and spoil the climax. 3) For the climax, a simple rotation of your wrist is key because you want to start riffling with the cut card on top to reveal all the faces.

Basic Routine   Start with the back printed side facing upward. A blank back will be on top. Riffle through to show that the entire deck is blank. Flip the deck over and a blank card will be there as well, further emphasizing the fact that the entire deck is blank. Do not riffle. Say you are taking a mental picture of a card, spread the deck with great pressure to show blanks. Apply light pressure to one card somewhere in the middle of the spread. to make it appear. Say “There it is!” and name the card. Cut the deck here and place the half with the exposed card on the top. Again, spread the cards with great pressure to show that it is indeed the only card there.

For the climax, rotate the deck over and say, “Look! Now there are backs. I have visualized the entire deck!” Rotate back to show the face-up card you cut to. Now riffle through and each card will fall, revealing a face.

Please watch the video for more routines and ideas.