The Genii Forum

'Out of Sight, Out of Mind - Improved', published in the December 2001 issue of "Genii", is an absolute gem.

Just a thought - by using a deck of marked cards, it is possible to eliminate the two glimpses towards the end of the effect.

There's no way that I'd call this an improvement, it's simply another way in which marked cards can be used indirectly.

"Out of sight out of mind improved" certainly covers what, to my mind, is the one weakness in the original Vernon routine.

This is due to the addition of the four cards that are added to the face of the deck at the conclusion of the shuffle sequence which thereby avoids the possibility of the spectator seeing their selection on the face of the deck.

However, the method for adding these cards is in itself weak as the effect would be stronger if the deck were simply turned face up and the cards displayed without any arrangement of four extra cards after the shuffle.

Needless to say, I have a shuffle sequence that addresses the very problem of adding extra cards after he shuffle and also have an addition that, like Vernons original, does away with the need for the key card as was added in the "improved" version.

If I have enough interest I may send it to Richard for publication.

Regards,

Gavin Ross

Sounds good Gavin, please consider sending it for publication.

I quite like Paul Wilson's shuffle sequence in the same Genii, as you say the reason I still use Harvey Bergs Intercept was to cover that 'flaw' in OOSOOM which has been eliminated in the improved version.

Rich.

Hi,
I have received a few mails re this so I have sent the shuffle to RK for consideration.

The only possible problem with Pauls shuffle is that some people may have difficulty in doing the milkbuild of the cards in a standard shuffle position and may need to alter the position of their hand so the hand is at a more parallel angle to the floor. This can look un-natural. However, if you can do it without this and it looks good then great.

Gavin Ross