The shifting of a cut is of vital importance for the accomplishment of innumerable tricks. Whenever any of the cards are arranged in a certain position, it is necessary to maintain them in their order, but, at the same time, it is also necessary, in order to deceive the spectators as to this fact of arrangement, to offer the cards for cutting.
After the cut has been made, the performer must restore the pack to the exact condition it had before being cut, and he must do this without permitting anyone to detect the operation. Such a shifting of the cut has been commonly called by magicians, “making the pass.” It may be done in many different ways, and it may be successfully accomplished by the use of either both hands or only one.
Usually, however, the use of both hands is by far the more effective, because it permits the greater speed and secrecy. The description that follows gives in detail the best method of shifting the cut by the use of both hands. It is given here at the outset in order that the student may immediately begin the practice of it. It is essential that he should attain a considerable degree of proficiency in performing this feat if he would attain reputation as a magician.
In picking up the cards after the pack has been separated into two parts by cutting, you must take up first from the table with the right hand the portion that belongs properly underneath, and lay it in the left hand. You then pick up the other portion and lay it also in the left hand above the other, but in doing so you take care to thrust the little finger of the left hand forward, so that it remains between the two portions, thus keeping them separate. This operation of the little finger is concealed from the spectators by the right hand, which remains palm downward covering the whole pack.
The little finger is maintained in its position between the two halves of the pack, and the other three fingers of the left hand are closed over the top of the pack. The thumb of the left hand also lies over the top of the deck. Now, by a pressure on the ends of the lower part, the second finger and thumb of the right hand move the lower section of the cards a little to the left within the angle of the left thumb.
At the same time, by a pressure of the little finger of the left hand underneath and the three fingers of the left hand above, the upper part of the pack is moved to the right. The effect is still hidden by the right hand. But this separation of the two portions is sufficient so that the upper portion firmly held between the little finger of the left hand below and the other three fingers above, may have its left edge tilted upward. In the same moment, the thumb and finger of the right hand, pressing on the ends of the lower section of the cards, tilt the right edge of that portion upward, lifting it clear of the left edge of the other section of cards, and a little above. By a closing movement of the left hand, the two parts of the deck are again brought to a level, but now the portion between thumb and finger of the right hand, which was originally underneath, slides into place on top, and the shifting of the cut has been accomplished.
Although a description of the process requires so long in the telling, the actual operation requires only the tiniest fraction of a second. When performed with a reasonable degree of skill, it is absolutely invisible to even the most observant spectator. The student should practice making the pass very slowly and carefully until he has familiarized himself with its various movements. He must attain perfect certainty as to each detail, before making any least effort toward speed. When by careful slowness he has acquired sureness, he should continue the practice until the necessary rapidity also marks his execution of the feat.
Shifting the cut with one hand is often useful, but it should never be attempted except when the attention of the company is diverted by the action of the other hand. By skill, this shift may be rendered almost invisible to the spectator, but not quite, since there is lacking the concealment offered by the other hand in the method already described.
In making this shift, the cut cards are first laid in the left hand, just as for the first method. But, now, before the right hand is removed, it slides the upper part of the pack a little way to the left. At the same time, the first and little fingers of the left hand are bent under the lower section of cards, and the other two fingers of the same hand are pressed on the top of this section, on the margin left by the sliding of the top cards to the left. The right hand is now taken away, and the whole pack is held between the thumb of the left hand and the fingers in the manner described, with the upper part of the deck extended to the left beyond the lower part.
The base of the thumb is now pressed against the left edge of the upper section, so that the right edge is tilted upward. At the same time, the fingers move to the right, carrying the lower section with them, and by further movement of the fingers the left edge of this lower section is tilted upward, until it clears the tilted edge of the other section, and extends above.
The pressure of the thumb is relaxed, allowing the upper section to fall level
on the palm of the hand. In the same instant, the fingers close, bringing the lower section to rest above the other. The first finger and the Iittle finger in this movement slip from beneath to join the other fingers on top of the deck. Thus the portion of cards that was underneath is now above, and the cut has been shifted.
The student will find that this method needs considerable practice, but careful repetitions until the exact movements are acquired will result in a skill such that the shift may be performed easily during the dropping of the left hand to the table as if merely to even the edges of the cards.