1. Make Your Prediction
Before performing, secretly write down a prediction (e.g., King of Hearts) and seal it inside an envelope.
Place the envelope somewhere visible and hand it to a spectator, asking them not to open it yet.
2. Prepare the Deck
Without anyone noticing, place the King of Hearts on top of the deck.
3. Show the Deck is Mixed
Fan the cards to show they’re all different and well mixed.
If someone wants to shuffle—great! Let them shuffle.
Once you take the deck back, casually spread through the cards again, “verifying” the shuffle, while actually locating the King of Hearts and secretly cutting it back to the top.
4. Set Up the Cross Cut Force
Place the deck face down on the table.
Ask a spectator to cut the deck anywhere they want and place the cut-off portion to their right.
5. Complete the Cross Cut
Immediately pick up the original bottom packet (the one still on the table, on the left), turn it sideways, and place it on top of the packet on the right.
It should now look like an uneven cross shape.
6. Add Natural Misdirection
This part is essential.
Take a moment to look away from the deck.
Talk casually to the audience.
For example, recap what just happened:
-
They saw a normal deck.
-
They shuffled it.
-
They cut the cards completely freely.
This brief pause makes them forget which packet is which.
7. Reveal the “Selection”
Now say something like:
“You could have cut anywhere, but you chose to cut right here.”
As you say “right here,” pick up the sideways packet and point to the top card of the bottom packet—this will be the King of Hearts.
Have the spectator lift the card to confirm it is their selection.
8. Reveal the Prediction
Finally, remind them you made a prediction before the trick began.
Have them open the envelope—it matches the card they just revealed.