The Royal Routine

I decided to share with you my card routines that I do in my theater. This is the first one. It's complex, yet modular. It takes from a variety of sources. The first production of the kings is taken from Phil Goldsteins book focus. The transformation of the selection into the four kings is taken from the Red Mirror DVD by Helder Guimaraes. Transforming back the kings into the selection is taken from Jim Abrahams the Royal Imposter routine.

Then the tabled selection turns out to be the four kings again is taken straight from the works of Bebel using a sleight often credited to Dai Vernon, which is an excellent way to add/move cards from a deck to the table/other part of the deck. (Methods used to control all the cards: Double Undercut, Kelly Bottom Placement, Double Undercut, DL)

Then a straight one handed Top Palm and that leads into the part where the kings one by one turn into the selection. I came up with this myself, but after that I have seen several magicians doing the same. Dani DaOrtiz doing it pretty much the way I do it. Paul Gordon does it with three cards and the selection. The little finish by placing the Double on the pile and then taking of the top card in a loose fashion is by Bebel.

The last backfire of the selection not being in the pocket but the four kings is also by Bebel.

This routine actually continues with a fake explanation of the cards going to the pocket, in which the whole deck goes to the pocket except the selection. The result is a natural deck switch ;).

Triumph by Dai Vernon

Card College 3 by Roberto Giobbi
Page 654 et seq.

Personal Comment: This is not the original handling. For the original handling please refer to the book "Stars of Magic" (Page 23 et seq.) This uses the "Zarrow". Roberto Giobbi claims no involvement in this, so the "other" participant in the handling remains unknown. It is a classic. Rightfully so. But it is not easy. I suck at doing the move involved. And I am honestly practicing the Zarrow for a few year now. My hands simply refuse to do the proper work. Anyway, what I like about the version above is the lack of any "proof". The situation is so clear that this doesn't need any proof.

Difficulty 5/5

Order in The Court by Dai Vernon

Pallbearers Review by Karl Fulves
December 1966
Page 67 et seq.

Personal Comment: This is based on Noel Stanton's card trick he called "1,2,3,4,5" which appeared in The Gen in June in 1965. Apparently there was a bit of a controversy around this trick when Vernon published it, as it seemed like Dai Vernon came up with the plot. Even today the common knowledge is that the "Order in the Court" plot was originated by Dai Vernon. This is not true. But aside from that the effect is nice and to mix it with some sort of gambling theme might be beneficial to the trick. Who knows. In terms of reaction: Mixed! Somehow the plot seems to be great for one kind of audience and really boring the the other kind. The first one also seems to enjoy "Oil and Water" make of that what you will.

Difficulty 2/5

Face-Up Flyers by Bruce Cervon and Dai Vernon

Epilogue by Karl Fulves
Issue 4 1968
Page 27 et seq.

also The Cervon File by by Bruce Cervon 1988

Personal Comment: Really nice version if one puts in the practice. If you noticed, this was thought up 1968... I was born 10 years later. This makes me appreciate all the magicians of the past. Think about it: This routine, the way it is would be suitable for a modern day audience 43 year later. Even if you do not intend to use it, this is worth studying because it teaches you a nice way to get a break under an x-card. Dai Vernon is credited, as he apparently reduced the plot down to just the four aces, as the original plot involved an extra indifferent card. However the the method to the trick was devised by Bruce Cervon.

Difficulty 3/5