This month I’ll be reworking Stephen Minch’s routine “Eyeless in Gaza.” The booklet was published in 1984 by Micky Hades International, and remains in print. A local magic dealer was able to get one for me through Micky Hades. This is a complete blindfolded card act in eight phases. Each phase becomes stronger and more baffling than the last. It is a remarkable piece of work in which the blindfold is genuine. That is, you actually cannot see throughout the entire demonstration. It requires some practice, as does all good card magic, and it also requires that you have some punch work in the deck, and one card corner shorted. To find out more, you’ll have to get the manuscript if you don’t already have it. I cannot recommend this too highly if you do any parlor work. The routine would also make a great demonstration for a service club’s luncheon or breakfast meeting.

            Finally, there is a set up of cards required. What I’ve discovered is that instead of learning a new set up, it can be done using the Aronson stack for those of you that already use it. And that means that you could precede Eyeless in Gaza with any other Aronson stack effects that you like as long as they retain, at a minimum, the first eighteen cards in the Aronson Stack. (From the Jack of Spades, to the Ace of Diamonds.) With that stack of cards intact, and the appropriate “work” put into the deck, you’re ready to go. Even if you intend to do Eyeless in Gaza as a separate routine, if you already know the Aronson stack, I recommend this handling. You are then in a position to reset the stack any time and anywhere just from memory. If you were to find yourself without the necessary cards, in some distant city, using a needle or pin and a set of nail clippers you can put the necessary work into any deck in a few minutes, and you’re all set.

            Incidentally, by sheer happenstance, in Eyeless in Gaza, the Jack of Spades is chosen as the card that’s corner shorted. Since this is card number one in the Aronson stack, I already have the same card prepared in all of my decks. I use a scallop or belly short. You can, however, use a standard corner short. As Jay Marshall is fond of saying: “It’s a matter of personal preference and little consequence.”

            There will be just a few minor changes necessary to the Eyeless in Gaza routine.

            Assuming that you have the necessary work in the deck, and that it is set in Aronson Stack Order, to get set for the routine, just cut the Ace of Diamonds to the face of the deck. Since you know that it is 18 cards down from the top of the deck, this is quite easy. It’s not hard to quickly sight count 18 cards if you do it in six groups of three. Then you can cut the deck at that spot, and just do a glimpse of the bottom card to make sure it is the Ace of Diamonds. I use an all around square glimpse for this. Alternatively, you can spread through the cards face up until you reach the Ace. Since you know where it is, this is very fast. You then cut at that point. If you’re fast at thumb counting, you can just thumb count 18 cards and cut at that point. This can be done as the spectators are reacting to your previous effect and will go unnoticed, particularly if you drop your hand to your side.

            Perform the first three phases of Eyeless in Gaza exactly as in the Minch booklet. Phase four is also performed the same, except that the card you name aloud will be the King of Clubs, not the six of spades.

            Phase five is the remarkable poker hand demonstration. For this version, you begin the same way. After the two poker hands are dealt, you will change the procedure just a bit. As in the original, ask the spectators if either of them has an opening hand, that is, a pair of jacks or better. The spectator on your left will respond affirmatively since he’s holding a pair of aces. The other spectator has a terrible hand, the 5C, 9S, 3H, 8D, and 10S. These are cards 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 in the Aronson stack, which will help you to remember them. You now state that you are going to help spectator number two since he’s the underdog. Instruct spectator number one to keep his pair of Aces and throw in the other three cards. (Remember you have not been told what pair he’s holding, so your knowledge of them is effective in and of itself.) He discards three cards and you deal him three more, but face up on the table. Comment that you didn’t promise to help him. The three indifferent cards, in fact, do not help and he ends up with just the pair of aces. You then turn your attention to spectator number two. You tell him to pay close attention. He is to keep his eight and three and discard the other three cards. Again, you are divulging information that you seemingly cannot know. You then deal him three fresh cards. Inform the spectators that he now wins, because he has two pair, threes and eights. Get the spectator to verify this by holding up his cards.

            This last phase is “show stopper” caliber in and of itself, but you have three, even stronger sequences to go.

            Phase 6  will be done exactly as in the original. However, the prediction in the sealed envelope must state that the Jack of Spades will be found 17 cards from the top of the deck. Incidentally, in this version, because of the way that phase 5 has been reworked, there will be no adjustments needed, and you can just reassemble the deck and proceed. (You still need to overhand shuffle the bottom card of the cards in your hand to the top, as in the original.)

            You are now set to do the 7^th phase (the presentation of Out of This World while blindfolded) and the 8^th phase wherein you show your own ability to determine the colors. No changes are necessary.

            I cannot take much credit for the strength of this truly unbelievable routine. I’ve simply made it possible to do it using the Aronson stack. It does, of course, destroy the stack. I don’t consider this a disadvantage, however, since the routine is so strong that you really have to end your act with it.

            Stephen mentions that the act may be changed in many ways. I think it’s perfect as he originally worked it out, and the only change I can imagine is that you may wish to shorten it for some performances. What I’d recommend, in that regard, is to eliminate one or perhaps two of the card revelations at the beginning. The third phase, although based on the color separation principle, is the revelation of two selected cards, and makes an effective opening to the Routine. If you need to shorten it further, I’d recommend that you eliminate Phase 7, the version of Out of This World. While it’s very strong, it is one of the longer segments. If you do this, I’d begin phase 8 by having your helpers try to identify the colors of a few cards after the deck has been shuffled by one of them. They will get some right, and some wrong, but you’re establishing how difficult it is to be always right. Then dismiss them and end the routine with your own demonstration of your uncanny ability to determine the colors accurately while blindfolded.

If you don’t have a card punch, I recommend that you visit the Web Site of James Riser at:

 http://www.jamesriser.com

             He makes and sells an excellent one. And I’m sure you’ll enjoy browsing his site. He makes many wonderful magic props, including some of the nicest Cups and Balls you’ve ever seen.

             As always, I’m interseted in your thoughts on memorized deck magic. Drop me a note at deloomis@mindspring.com with comments, questions, etc.

            And, feel free to visit my website at:

www.loomismagic.com

UPDATED OCTOBER 15, 2004