Jumbo Ultimate Monte and Stand
By Professor Spellbinder
Known as Michael Skinner’s Ultimate 3 Card Monte,
written up by Mike Maxwell (1990), this effect in regular sized
gaffed playing cards was based on an Eddie Taytelbaum routine
called “Find the Ace” found in Dai Vernon’s
Ultimate Secrets of Card Magic, compiled by Lewis Ganson
(1967). Michael Skinner worked out cleaner handling and created a
masterpiece of mystery and simplicity. In 1995, I converted the
cards to Ultra Jumbo Sizes (7” x 10”) and discovered
that the routine could be used on stage with the addition of a
stand to hold the cards upright, instead of laying them on a
table as one does for close-up. While I was at it, I created a
deceptive clear Plexiglas stand that allowed me to display the
cards on both sides before and after the effect, showing each
card separately and apparently un-gaffed. This e-Book describes
both the stand and the routine I devised for using the stage
sized cards, plus gives you templates for making the Ultra Jumbo
Cards on your computer printer.
Wiz Kid Qua-Fiki performs Eddie Taytelbaum's Ultimate
Monte using Jumbo Stage Sized cards and a Table-Mate II that
tilts down towards the audience, allowing you to sit and show the
trick at the same time.
Jim Gerrish came up with an envelope switch that may appeal
more to those who require portability and don’t want to
build and set up a table stand to convince the audience that the
cards are normal. It has been included as an addendum to this
e-Book. It requires a couple of 9" by 12" manilla
envelopes to make the deceptive envelope. It optionally makes use
of a "Tray-Mate II" portable table that
makes a convenient slanting performing surface for the trick in
front of any large audience. Wiz-Kid Qua-Fiki figured out that
you could even sit behind the table to perform it on stage in
comfort. He also added some subtleties to the envelope that makes
it even more deceptive, plus a bill switch so the spectator can
play for money... YOUR money! Purchasers of the effect can
request access to Wiz Kid Qua-Fiki's video explanation of how it
all works.
Please note: you are only purchasing the plans and directions
for making this effect yourself. You get templates for printing
the ultra jumbo cards on your own computer printer, diagrams and
instructions for making the Plexiglas stand or the manilla
envelope from easily obtainable parts, and instructions and
suggestions for performing the effect. This is an e-Book which is
e-mailed to you.
WJ17-07
$5.00
Buy all 11 articles of this issue (#17)
of the Wizards' Journal $40.00
That's less than $4.00 per
article if purchased together!
