card generator
I kind of like and dislike the idea of using two selected cards to form a card. I like the card-generating aspect of it. It feels interesting to use the value and suit from two random cards to generate a 3rd card. But it’s the visual aspect where you see what the alternative could be that puts me off. Just by saying which card is which always bugged me. It doesn’t feel concrete- since I’m assigning them- which is conflicting to the “randomness” of the generated card.
So I have an interesting solve. While this will make the execution not “impromptu”, it allows them to decide which card is the value and which is the suit while cementing their choice with a visual component. Check it.
To prep, take two force cards- I like number cards for these- and use a sharpie to cross out the pips on one and the numbers on the other. Like this:
Set up is one goes on the top of the deck, and the other at the bottom.
You can easily retain these two cards at the top/bottom with overhand shuffles or riffle shuffles in the hands or on the table.
To force these two cards, simply use the criss cross force.
Once the criss cross force is complete, point out that there are 2 cards at play. One is the card at the top of the bottom half, and the other is at the bottom of the upper half. These two cards will be used to generate a playing card. One will be the value, and the other will be the suit. They get to choose.
Ask them which one they’d like the top card of the bottom half to be. Let’s say they chose value. Slide that card out without showing them the face, and use the sharpie to pretend to cross out the value at the corners. Set that aside face down. Then slide out the card at the face of the upper half, let them know that will be the suit, and pretend to cross out the suits at the corners and the middle. Set that face down on top of the other card.
You can then turn those over to show how their decisions played out.
And now- at least to me- this looks much more concrete- and visually more interesting. :)
A quick idea for a trick- draw a bunch of tally marks on the back of the force card, and place it in a small envelope or leave it inside the card box. When you reveal, show the face of the card first. Then as a kicker, you reveal it’s somehow always that card. Turn it over and add another tally mark to the back.
The only thing that would need a bit more emphasis is a specific process to force the two cards. Maybe a weird mixing sequence they do that feels like they’re making really fair choices. Idea being this is always the outcome despite different choices being made. Or it’s the same choices being made despite seemingly fair conditions.