One of the first legitimate tricks I ever learned as a young boy has stuck with me forever. The problem is I learned it from some guy at a party (It may have even been a Seafair Pirate) and I have no idea where the trick origionally came from and who to credit for it. It is kinda a pet peeve of mine to acknowledge those who contribute to my talent, so I was hoping someone would recognize the effect and give me a proper name and creator. The effect goes like this:

Four cards are layed face down and the spectator is asked to look at one and replace it. The magician then gathers up the cards and begins asking the spectator if the card shown is the selection. After four indifferent cards are shown not to be the selection, the rest of the deck is set aside and the process is repeated with the four indifferent cards. After confirming the indifferent cards are not the selection, they are placed between the spectators knuckles. The magician than slaps the cards, leaving only one left between the spectator's knuckles. It's the selection!

As simple as this effect is, I've found that it's a true gem that almost always leaves a good impression on the spectator.

-ArchAngel_G

I've heard it called "the Hitman" before, but it's got another name...I'm thinking Royal Road perhaps?

*checking the book*

Not there so far, didn't look too in-depth though. Fear not! I'll keep looking later.

-JT

Thank you!

-ArchAngel_G

the slap reveal was made by Stewart Judah

Well....unless he came up with that move before he was 8 years old I am pretty sure it was someone else. The move is mentioned in Erdnase: Legerdemain, Favorite Methods For Terminating Tricks, Leaving Selected Card in Hand of Spectator. Erdnase isn't great about citing his sources, not his fault really. Many moves originating before the 1930s are very hard to track down. That is the earliest mention that I know of of the revelation you describe...as for the trick building up to it I can't say?

Eostresh beat me to it. I was just skimming Erdnase about a week ago. There it is, page 107. That's just the reveal though, the rest of the trick is in one of these books I have here, I know it!

-JT