Table of Contents
The table of contents for the two-volume set is extensive, comprising over 1,000 entries! Each entry is a move, variant, technical consideration, principle, or key idea. Originally the plan was to post everything, but I decided against it because I didn’t want terminology to be misconstrued. Conversely, the book's table of contents are short, general overviews that don't do the scope of the research justice. So, to better inform potential readers of what to expect, I opted for a combination of (a) the book's table of contents, (b) short descriptions of each chapter, and (c) a sample chapter in the expanded table-of-contents format. Note that at the end of volume two, each chapter is presented in the expanded format in lieu of a traditional index.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dedication - Ray Goulet
Foreword - Bill Malone
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 - Gambling Sleight of Hand - The Hobby
Gambling Sleight of Hand as a Hobby . . . 2
Studying Gambling Sleight of Hand . . . 11
Technical Considerations . . . 21
Cheaters and Magicians . . . 31
Practice . . . 36
Last Thoughts . . . 47
Chapter 2 - False Shuffles
False Table Riffle Shuffles . . . 57
Legitimate Table Cuts and Strips . . . 69
False Table Cuts and Strips . . . 71
Carrying Slugs . . . 86
Positioning Cuts and Strips . . . 93
Riffling Down, Riffling Up . . . 102
False Shuffling Procedures . . . 112
The Push-through . . . 117
The Pull-out . . . 145
Zarrow Shuffle . . . 162
False Overhand Shuffles . . . 185
Off-the-table False Riffles, Strips, and Cuts . . . 200
Wash/Scramble . . . 223
Chapter 3 - Stacking and Culling
Overhand Shuffle Stacks . . . 230
Riffle Stacking . . . 242
Faro Stacking . . . 256
Culling . . . 272
Chapter 4 - Beating the Cut
Shifts . . . 280
Hops . . . 306
Drops . . . 320
False Cuts for Cutters . . . 323
Briefs . . . 329
Chapter 5 - False Deals
Strike Seconds . . . 352
Pushoff Seconds . . . 388
One-handed Seconds . . . 406
New Theory Second Deals . . . 417
The Bottom Deal . . . 437
Stud Bottoms . . . 451
One-handed Bottoms . . . 459
Bottom Deal Ploys . . . 462
New Theory Bottoms . . . 463
Thirds, Greek Bottoms, and Centers . . . 470
Chapter 6 - Peeks and Paper
Peeks . . . 478
Paper . . . 487
Chapter 7 - Mucks, Holding Out, Coolers, and More
Mucks . . . 506
Holding Out . . . 529
Coolers . . . 542
Palming . . . 566
A Few More Moves . . . 593
Chapter 8 - The Erdnase Factor
Observations . . . 612
Card Table Artifice . . . 617
Erdnase Systems of Blind Shuffles . . . 633
To Indicate the Location for the Cut . . . 644
Bottom Dealing . . . 646
Second Dealing . . . 652
Ordinary Methods of Stocking, Locating and Securing . . . 655
Stock Shuffle . . . 658
Erdnase System of Stock Shuffling . . . 660
Erdnase System of Cull Shuffling . . . 664
Erdnase System of Palming . . . 666
To Maintain the Bottom Palm While Dealing . . . 670
To Hold Location of Cut While Dealing . . . 672
Shifts . . . 673
To Ascertain Top Cards (Riffling) and Reserve Them at the Bottom . . . 677
Mode of Holding the Hand . . . 679
Skinning the Hand . . . 679
The Player Without an Ally . . . 681
Three Card Monte . . . 688
The Revelations . . . 689
The Thought Process . . . 689
Plagiarism . . . 690
Sub-par Gambling Moves . . . 701
Omissions . . . 707
Oddities . . . 712
Did Erdnase Violate His Own Principles? . . . 718
Magic . . . 720
Annotators . . . 725
Opposing Views . . . 729
Conclusions . . . 736
Chapter 9 - Pseudo Gambling Stunts
Cutting the Aces . . . 746
The Stunts . . . 771
False Shuffle & Cut Demonstrations . . . 843
Stacking and Culling Demonstrations . . . 889
False Dealing Demonstrations . . . 926
Other Dealing Demonstrations . . . 953
Gambling Routines . . . 958
Odds and Ends . . . 979
Flourishes . . . 996
Fakes . . . 1012
Impressions . . . 1029
Total Recall Scanning . . . 1037
Chapter 10 - Closing Thoughts
Personal Decisions . . . 1045
Perspective . . . 1046
Conversations . . . 1046
Beginners . . . 1049
Experienced Cardmen . . . 1050
Recap . . . 1050
Volume 3? . . . 1053
Errors . . . 1053
Good Luck . . . 1053
Index
References . . . 1061
Names . . . 1064
Moves, Stunts, Principles . . . 1067
Chapter Photo Pages . . . 1085
CHAPTER SUMMARIES
Chapter 1
Chapter one looks at the hobby of sleight of hand by providing some background on how gambling moves evolve, the best gambling moves, ‘story moves,’ and ‘story skill.’ It presents several technical considerations including lessons on general technique, the learning curve, expert status, sources, and the differences between cheaters and magicians. Also included is a fresh perspective on practice, focusing on the biggest mistake you can make, and the concept of using ‘lists’ and ‘time management’ to get the most from your practice sessions.
Chapter 2
Chapter two offers a comprehensive study on the shuffle and its many components. All styles of shuffling are addressed: table riffles, off-the-table riffles and cuts/strips, overhand shuffles, and ‘washing/weeding.’ All of the classic cuts, strips, and riffles are presented in detail to show the differences between the way cheaters and cardmen handle these moves. New moves and ideas like ‘positioning cuts/strips,’ ‘riffling up and down,’ and complete false ‘shuffling procedures’ are also presented. Over 100 combined push-throughs, pull-outs, Zarrows, ‘shuffle-overs,’ false cuts/strips, false overhand shuffles, and false off-the-table riffles and cuts/strips are included.
Chapter 3
Here we discuss the best overhand, riffle, and faro stacks. The best overhand-shuffle stacks are presented based on the research. The section on riffle stacking suggests a new approach based on timing versus hold-backs, along with what I believe to be the most effective way to riffle stack—arguably the most difficult move in the hobby. The most sophisticated faro stacks are generally unknown to the magic world because they do not require perfect splits or traditional in- and out-faros. About 25 combined stacks are offered.
Chapter 4
Chapter four offers a combined 40 shifts and hops, starting with the standards and their variants. Several new moves and angles are offered. ‘Drops’ (appear to look like mishaps) and false cuts employed by cutters are presented, as well as an important section on ‘briefs’ (jogs, steps, bevels, crimps, bridges, bows, etc.). Briefs are an integral part of card-table work because they surpass the effectiveness and safety demanded by most cheaters relative to shifts and hops. Over 20 briefs are presented.
Chapter 5
Chapter five starts with the second deal and includes strikes, pushoffs, one-handed, and new-theory seconds. Sixty methods are presented—for comparison, Erdnase offered two methods that were described in four paragraphs. But the chapter digs deeper into this classic false deal by looking at over 25 technical considerations, ‘demonstration seconds’ (Marlo’s ‘no-touch’ second versus Walter Scott’s method), and questionable information. The section ends with 10 new-theory seconds.
Similarly, the bottom deal is next and starts with several technical considerations and the traits of the best bottom deals. About 25 methods and variations are presented including the standards, one-handed, and new-theory bottoms.
A short discussion of thirds, Greek-bottoms, and centers are offered without moves, as the research didn’t uncover any mechanics specializing in these techniques . . . although several methods are included in the chapter on pseudo stunts.
Chapter 6
Chapter six was a last-minute addition. Originally, about a dozen peeks were presented after the section on the second deal, but due to an inextricable link between the second deal and marked cards, it was necessary to include an introduction to marked cards—‘blockout,’ ‘cutout,’ ‘sorts,’ ‘touch work’ and more. The field of ‘asymmetries’ is also discussed.
Chapter 7
Chapter seven looks at a combined 30 mucks and holdouts, and about 20 coolers. About a dozen palms are presented along with several replacements and caps. The chapter ends with a variety of moves like ‘discard switches’ (poker), player/dealer card switches (blackjack), and more.
Chapter 8
Chapter eight offers my research and conclusions about Erdnase. The 130-page chapter essentially addresses one question: Was Erdnase a cheater who plied his trade with moves and systems that he invented? Unfortunately, my findings suggest that Erdnase was neither a cheater nor an expert at the card table! I expect this chapter to jolt many cardmen.
Chapter 9
The chapter on pseudo gambling stunts is presented in several genres: cutting the aces; false shuffling, stacking, culling, and dealing demonstrations; odds and ends; gambling flourishes; fakes (gambling moves), and impressions of my favorite artists. The last stunt presented is known as ‘Total Recall Scanning,’ a powerful memory demonstration and one of the most difficult stunts I do. To appreciate the scope of this chapter, approximately 250 stunts are presented.
Chapter 10
Chapter ten is very short. It opines some of the keys points from the research, offers some advice for beginners and experienced cardmen, recaps my conversations with reviewers, and ends with a few parting comments.
EXPANDED FORMAT SAMPLE
PSEUDO GAMBLING STUNTS
Introduction . . . 743
Cutting the Aces
A Few Basic Moves
Breaks
Scratch-break
Touch-break
Riffle-break
Spread-break Display
Getting into Breaks
Transfers
Reintroducing the f-transfer
Display Dodges
V-strip
Positioning Swing-cuts
Early Ideas
Slip-cuts
Progressive Aces
Cover-cards
Dead-Cuts
Estimation
Double/Triple-Cuts
Box Riffle Brief
Bevel Riffle Brief
JN Dead-Cut Sequence
Crimps - In and Out
Off-the-table Riffle and Cascade with Break
TCCB Aces
Getting Into TCCB Setups
simultaneous top/bottom slip-cuts
two traditional slip-cuts
eliminating one slip-cut
eliminating both slip-cuts
Zarrow
TCCB Riffle
Deck Setups
Gaffed Cards
The Stunts
Triple Cutting and Stripping the Aces
One-card Cuts
Deeper and Deeper Aces
Roll-over Deeper and Deeper Aces
Lift and Drop Aces
Up-the-ladder Aces
Ultimate Dead-Cutting Sequences
UTL
double strip
scrape cuts/dead cuts
JN cut
double riffle
Riffle Shuffle Estimation Aces
Two-At-A-Time Aces
v-strip
split, cut, and carry
triple center-cuts
high card wins
double dead-cuts
Four Aces - Direct
Off-the-table Base Cut
Optical Cuts
Off-the-table Cut and Carry Aces
The Gamblers’ Safe Cut
Four Piles - Aces On Top
Four Piles - Aces On Bottom
Outside, Inside, Somewhere in the Middle
I like to Sweat the Last Ace
The Perfect Strip
Running Aces
Continuous Stripped Aces
Continuous Stripped Aces #2
V-Stripped Aces
Smoothie Aces
Slow Motion Stripped Aces
Super Fast Aces
Speed Cuts
Only One Hand
Sweep Aces
Which Ace Do You Want?
Too Many Drops
Charlier Cuts
Charlier Cuts #2
Charlier Cuts #3
Charlier Cuts #4
One Riffle - Four Aces
One-handed Crimp Cut
Riffled - Not Squared
Hands-off Aces
Ribbon-spread Aces
Jagged Aces
Hunch Aces
Location Unknown
Scarne Aces
Overhand Shuffle Scarne
Aces and Kings
Aces, Kings, Queens
Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, Tens (strippers)
Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, Tens
False Shuffle & Cut Demonstrations
False Cut Demo
Top to Bottom and Back
Bottom-slug Demo
Riffling-down Demo
No Aces on Top
Multiple-pile Cuts
More Options
ace strip
carrying top and bottom slugs
fancy cuts
three-way Erdnase/Forte
four-way Erdnase/Forte
Follow The Slug
f-strip
up-the-ladder
slip-strip
Erdnase strip
riffling down
multiple piles
center-top-bottom cut/strip
boxing
fancy cuts
Changing Colors
Changing Places
phase #1
phase #2
Ace in the Middle
No Other Aces
Riffle-kill
Here Come the Kings
Top/Bottom Transfers Demo
Top to Bottom (two riffles)
Bottom to Top (two riffles)
Bottom to Top (one riffle)
Face-up Transfer
Psychological Transfer
Michael Skinner Mystery
Slug Control Exposé
riffle exposé
exposé #2
Watch the Top of the Deck
The 21st Card
Splitting To The Aces
Splitting To The Aces (no cuts or boxes)
The 7-13-3-1 Demo
Dealer’s School
Up and Down Trapped Aces
Target Practice
1st phase
2nd phase
Indicator Cards
Riffle Get-Together
1st phase
2nd phase
The Face-up Shuffling Demo
Red-Black Demo
red-black cuts and strips
red-black riffle setups
red-black riffle
face-up red-black riffle
Full Deck False Shuffle Demonstrations
Push-through with Single-card Strip
Zarrow (lift)
Three Piles, Three Strips (Bill Malone)
Pull-out/Three Pile Combination
Quick Three-Pile Triumph
Jennings Four-Ace Triumph
Stacking and Culling Demonstrations
Standard Stacks
Haymow
Riffle Stack
Faro Stack
Laying Sets
Casino-slug Scam
High-low Stack
Pickup Double-duke
Percentage Stacking
Direct Stack
Direct Stack #2
1-4 Riffle Stacking
The Practice Drill
Hold-Backs
Random-Card Stack
Hold’ em Spacer Stack
Red-Black Hold’ em
Riffle Down, Riffle Down
The 2-1-2-4 Faro Stack
Balancer Faro Stack
Cut Stacking
Pushoff Cut-Stacking
Cut Anytime Stacking
Insertion Stack
One-Shuffle Stacks
one faro, four players, four aces
tap-tap stack
heads-up double-duke
dupes stack
Overhand Cooler Stack
Legit Stripped Cooler
Slug, Transfer, Ace Stack, Cooler
Stripper Stack
Riffle-cull Coincidence
Sal’s Cull/Stack
Quads Cull
One-ace-at-a-time Cull and Stack
False Dealing Demonstrations
Real Deal Second-Deal Demonstration
One-Card Demonstration
Five Inches Above the Deck
Face-up Second Deal Exposé
No Punch Kings and Queens
Second Deal Surprise
High Cards - Low Cards
Gilbreath and the Perfect Bridge Deal
Go-to Bottom Deal Demonstration
Bottom Deal Demonstration
Any Number Of Players
Really Off The Bottom
Face-up Double-duke
TV Center Deal
Red-Black Centers
Center Deal Any Card Called
No Shuffle, No Cut, No-Setup Centers
Immediate Center Deal
Dealing From The Middle Piles
Other Dealing Demonstrations
Any Aces?
Fast Face-up Aces
Playing Heavy
The Super Deal
Gambling Routines
Blackjack Switch
Four Piles - Four Aces
Four Card Monte
Gone!
Stripped and Stripped Again
Easy Stripped and Stripped Again
Face-up/Face-down Stripped and Stripped Again
Stripped and Stripped Royal Flush
Hidden Aces
Not In My Half
Cut Any Number Of Cards
The 20-30 Cut
You Can’t Miss
Snatch the Last Ace
Odds and Ends
Flip-over Aces
Springing the Aces
Charlier Revelation
Lucky Cut
Pinochle
Aces are Easier to Remember
Cutting Checks
Instant-Jog Revelation
Palmed Card Revelation
Ambitious Aces
Mates
Ace Catch
Floating Cut
Royal Flush Deal
Shift Revelation
Ribbon-spread Selection
Holding Out - Leaking
Chop Transposition
Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds, and 28th from the Top
Flourishes
Table Thumb Spread
Ray’s Ribbon Spread
Spring Spread
One-handed Split-over
Upside Down Cascade
Reverse Strip
Propelled Spin-cut
Screwdriver-Cut
Packet Spins, Snaps and Twirls
One-handed Back Somersault Cut
Off-the-table Bottom-Slug Charlier
Three Packet Flip
Up-down Flip Cut
Pancake Cut
Jump-deal
Wrong-direction Deal
Sky-high Stud Deal
Dealing Two Hands at the Same Time
Face-up/Face-down Deal
Blackjack Hole-card Turnover
Up-down Toss
Aces Airborne
Round and Round
Fakes
Holding Out
Holding Out #2
Faking the Shift
Vernon Pass/False Cut
Slip-cut
Multi-card Tilt
Super-fast One-handed Hop
Tilt Shift
Multi-card Shift Convincers
Dealing the ‘Snake’
The ‘Brush’
Short-term Memory
Rain Man
Blackjack Challenge Deal
These Cards Are Marked!
Impressions
Do That Again! (Jack Carpenter)
Speed of Light (Lennart Green)
BAM Aces! (Buck Brothers)
Total Recall Scanning
The System
Summary . . . 1042