The magician displays a spread of five cards, held in a metal clip to preclude any sleight of hand.
The cards consist of an ace through five of mixed suits; only the three is red, the others are black.
A spectator is invited to participate, and given a paperclip.
The cards are turned face down, and the person is asked to find the red three and mark it with the small clip.
This is done – but ehen the card are turned over, it’s seen that the participant missed; the clip is attached to the ace.
The paperclip is returned to the spectator.
“Perhaps,” says the magician, “the large metal clip is confusing you.”
With that, he puts the clip away, so that he holds just the five cards.
Again, the spectator is asked to put the small clip on the red three.
However, the outcome is the same: It is the ace that is clipped.
The performer explains, “In face, you never really had a chance.
You had to pick the ace, because there was really no other choice.”
The cards are turned over, and handed to the spectator-who discovers that now all five are identical aces!
Instructions written by Phil Goldstein
Illustrated by Ton Onosaka