A Trick For You

This is the first magic trick I ever learned. It is a very simple trick. You may even think it too simple. But in all the years I've performed it, not once has someone devised a solution. Sure, there are more skilled, spectacular ways of retrieving one's card. And it boggles my mind that I've yet to be exposed and lampooned for this particular routine (while I've never done it on 'stage', you'd be surprised how often it springs up socially). I suppose if a friend or foe ever caught on, I would simply ask to do the trick again, wherein I would switch to a more accomplished illusion, thus debunking their attempt to debunk me. As for you, those other methods will have to wait. Now on to the trick!

Since I can't play both the magician and the participant (without the use of trick photography, which I guess is a form of magic unto itself), I will designate myself the participant. And for the purposes of this demonstration, the part of the wise magician shall be played by Bernie.


Say hello to Bernie. This shall not be Bernie's first attempt at this trick.

Okay, for this trick, the only thing you need is a normal deck of cards. But that deck must feature a non-symmetrical, easily discernible pattern on the back. Such as-

You'd be surprised, decks such as this are hardly ever out of arms reach (especially my own). Next, go through the deck, and make sure the card backs are each turned the same way.
Then go find someone you love or want to impress (sometimes both), and kindly ask them to pick a card.

*Please excuse the gloves. I have a prominent birthmark on one of my hands. The Masked Sorcerer's identity must never be revealed.

While they look to see what card they've got-
Unsuspectingly take back the deck-
And flip it around, so the opposite side of the deck is now facing towards the participant.
Now ask them to return the card to the deck, allowing them to place it wherever they choose. 99 times out of a 100, they will return their card exactly as they took it, without a rotation (thus it will easily stand out to you which card was theirs). Just make sure you watch them the whole time. If they do turn the card, you of course will have to flip the deck around again. But trust me, this part is such a breeze.
Sometimes I get a little cocky a turn away while they do this.
Now it's just a matter of rifling through the deck, employing some careful shuffling. The more you do this and the faster you can do it, the more impressed the other person will be (of course, there comes a point where you will lose their attention. Shuffling and sorting for over two hours is not recommended). Anyway, either work their card to the very top or bottom. And now all that's left is to-

-reveal the card.