Back Off
by Tom Lauten

This routine combines two classic card magic routines and makes them obtainable to the beginner by eliminating difficult sleight of hand. "Back Off" is a blend of the "All Backs Routine" and "Triumph." Although totally different in methodology from the originals, the effect of "Back Off" is still similar to that of the original routines.

Effect

A deck of cards is shown to be faulty due to there being backs printed on both sides of the cards! A spectator examines one of the cards from the unusable deck and verifies this to be true. However, with a magical gesture, the magician causes all the faces to become printed, making the deck as it should be. He then proceeds to take half the cards face up and half face down and shuffle them together. The deck is spread to show the messy condition of the cards.

With his back turned the magician invites a spectator to remove a card and sign it on the face. This card is then replaced facedown into any point in the deck, which is then squared up before the magician turns hack. A magical gesture is made and the cards are shown to have gone back to their original state of being all backs on both sides, all except for one card which remains with it's face showing. among the backs of the cards. Unbelievably, it is the signed sekection! THe only card not to beprinted with a back on both sides again! The spectator keeps the card as a souvenir of this strange experience with a deck of cards!

The trick can be easily repeated with a different card! Multiple handlings included as well as Tom Lauten's "Tidy Up" routine! This effect can be done in the hands or at the table! The deck is instantly reset!