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Order out of Chaos

by Lew Brooks

(including the False-False-Shuffle)

The False-False-Shuffle (FFS)

What follows is an idea that I had many years ago. I have never seen it written up or actually used by anyone as a definite means to an end. The idea is to employ a particular shuffling method that will appear to be a normal casual shuffle while at the same time you are actually “working” the deck into a final desired arrangement.

There is one particular aspect of the overhand shuffle that is very useful to the performer and that is the ability to “run” or slip cards singly (i.e. one at a time) from the main pack into the other hand.

This ability to run any number of single cards allows for many different applications. To be able to employ the FFS the performer must be able to execute the overhand run. The performer who shuffles in this manner can be seen to be actually shuffling the pack in small groups while at the same time he will be controlling the end result. This is a false-shuffle that is an actual shuffle (hence the name).

A VERY basic example… let’s say that the effect you are about to perform requires a small stack or set-up on the top of the deck. Using our method, instead of starting with the setup on the top of the deck, we would have it beginning at the 10th card down from the top maybe.

Then instead of doing one of the usual overhand false-shuffles we would simply shuffle in such a way as to remove those top 9 unwanted cards.

You could maybe do this in the following manner:

Run 5 cards singly and then throw the remainder of the deck on top. Repeat this procedure but run 4 cards this time and throw the deck on top.

The False-False-Shuffle

This appears to be a couple of quick shuffles but in fact you have brought your set-up to the top.

These actions simulate the actions of a real overhand shuffle when done in a smooth and casual manner and is especially deceptive when performed with a small packet of cards. You can vary the number of cards on top of your set-up and the number of “mini” or “run” shuffles that you perform according to your own needs and preferences.

Simply make sure that you run off, in total, the number of extra cards that you placed above your set-up. The above idea is not original with me. It has been offered elsewhere and has probably been independently thought of by many card workers.

What follows however I have never seen in another work. It is another, albeit more complicated, application of the same basic principle.

Suppose that you are going to do an effect that requires that the entire deck be set-up, maybe in the Si-Stebbins system or something else.

If this deck is removed from its card-box and is overhand shuffled a few times while initially pattering - the impression should be given that you are handling a well mixed and shuffled deck. However, you usually cannot actually shuffle a stacked deck and expect it to perform properly for you. Yes… you can give it a few “false-table-riffles” a la Zarrow, but suppose that there is no table available or that you are performing standing up or maybe you just can’t do a Zarrow shuffle.

Here is how we solve this problem:

After stacking the deck for the effect you now “rearrange” the stack by doing the following overhand shuffle. Turn the deck FACE-UP and shuffle (run) five cards singly into your left hand, and then throw the rest of the deck on top of these five.

Now repeat this procedure — this time with four cards maybe.

Repeat with three cards. You are done. You have destroyed the set-up - but in such a way that a reversal of the procedure will put the deck back in its desired original order. You now place the deck in its box and you are ready for your performance.

When you take the deck out of the box you simply hold the deck as for a normal overhand shuffle (FACE-DOWN this time of course) and do the reverse of the shuffles that you did to re-arrange the deck.

You now “Run 3 cards singly and Throw” (R3T).

Now “Run 4 cards singly and Throw” (R4T).

And lastly “Run 5 cards singly and Throw” (R5T).

This is the exact opposite of what you did when preparing the deck beforehand. The deck is now in its original order and yet you have apparently shuffled the deck.

Note the shorthand used for the procedure… R3T, R4T, and R5T. This will be used throughout Stack Attack by Lew Brooks.

You can use any numbers; just remember to REVERSE the procedure for the second handling.

If you chose to R4T, R6T, R3T (when face-up), you would then reverse this order of operations the second time (when face-down) and you would R3T, R6T, R4T.

This method allows you to apparently shuffle a deck while in fact you are “working” it into the desired final set-up order.

Lastly, the real “meat” of the FFS, this time using a small packet of cards.

Suppose that you had a packet of 10 cards with each one of the ranks from Ace to 10. If these 10 cards were in this order (A,6,7,5,4,3,2,10,9,8 reading from left to right or from top down of a face-down packet) you might fan out this packet and show the cards to be in a somewhat mixed-up order.

Now turn the packet face down and hold in the right hand and perform the following FFS:R3T, R4T, R5T.

Remember that this means to “Run 3 and Throw, Run 4 and Throw, and Run 5 and Throw.”

Now turn the packet face-up and again fan out the cards. If you have followed the instructions correctly you will find the packet is now in order Ace through 10.

VOILA!

This can be made as simple or as complicated as you want. You simply fit the numbers to the effect.

The “False-False-Shuffle” will be used throughout this book. Again - if performed in a smooth and casual man-ner you will be conveying the impression that the deck or packet is being mixed.

It is this state of mind on the part of the spectators that will allow you to perform some pretty good effects.

ORDER OUT OF CHAOS

The following effect epitomizes the use, and the strength, of the FALSE-FALSE-SHUFFLE.

There are some effects known to most wherein the magician ends with the cards in order. Usually he spells or counts or uses a “duck-and-deal” procedure to accomplish the result. I think that this is the first time that a new method like this has been used to create an interesting, puzzling, and surprising result from and old idea of “Now they’re mixed - Now they’re not!”

This is what appears to take place.

All of the 13 cards of one of the suits are removed from a shuffled deck. These cards are then subjected to a series of additional shuffles and cuts. When finished, the 13 card packet is shown to be in perfect order Ace through King (or King through Ace if you prefer). This is accomplished in a surprising manner and is accompa-nied by some interesting

THE SET-UP:

Remove all of the Hearts (or any suit) from a well shuffled deck. Now arrange these 13 cards in one of the fol-lowing set-ups:

SET-UP #1... 4, J, 10, Q, 9, K, 2, 6, 3, 5, 8, A, 7 (Final sequence is A to K).

SET-UP #2... 10, 3, 4, 2, 5, A, Q, 8, J, 9, 6, K, 7 (Final sequence is K to A).

Order out of Chaos

The set-up packet must now be re-inserted back into the deck in such a way as to appear that the entire deck is thoroughly shuffled. You can spread the deck across the table faceup and insert the Hearts into the spread at various intervals from left to right making everything look random in nature. Or you might simply riffle shuffle the small packet into the larger packet and you should get the same results.

NOTE: The order of the set-up must be maintained even though it can be spread throughout the deck. Either or both of the arrangements above can be used. If you are going to use both in the same deck, you might arrange one suit one way and the other suit the other way with both spread “randomly” throughout the deck.

THE PERFORMANCE:

You are now ready to perform the effect. Bring out the deck and begin to patter:

“Recently scientists have begun to study a new field called ‘Chaos Theory.’ The other day I asked a lady in my audience, Ma’am, do you know what Chaos is?”

“She gave me a strange look and answered - Of course I do, I’ve got three little kids.”

“Well - for those of you who may not know what Chaos is... Chaos is described as a confused or disorganized state... a condition of disorder... a situation ruled by randomness.”

“Tonight we’re going to try a little experiment - and maybe play around a little bit with ‘Chaos’.”

“A common everyday object that can be used to illustrate chaos is a normal shuffled deck of cards like this one. For this particular experiment we will need to use only one of the four suits. Let’s use the Hearts.”

You may proceed just as in the patter above or you might actually give the spectators a choice of one of the red suits. In which case you must have both the Hearts and Diamonds set-up and spread throughout the deck ready to be used.

You might even have all four suits set-up and ready to go. You could then allow the spectators to choose which of the four suits will be used in this effect. In this last case, I would have two of the suits (say Hearts and Spades) set-up in one order and the other two suits set-up in the other order.

When it has been determined which suit you will be using, you turn the deck face-up and begin to spread it from your left hand into your right hand, as you look for each of the Hearts (or whatever suit is being used). As you reach the first Heart, you simply drop it face-up onto the table. As each subsequent Heart is found, you drop it out of the deck onto the growing pile in front of you.

You are now reversing the original order of the set-up.

The spectators see the cards being removed, and they are apparently in a shuffled or mixed-up condition. After you find all of the Hearts set the remainder of the deck aside. It will not be used.

You now pick up the 13 card pile and comment on its “disorder,” its “randomness,” and its “state of chaos”. You may even briefly show it to the spectators. The set-up will not be apparent and the cards indeed do appear in a random order.

Now turn the packet face down and hold it in position for an overhand shuffle as you patter:

“We are going to increase the randomness. We are going to increase the disorder. We are going to see what hap-pens.”

As you are saying the above you will perform the FFS.

Here is what you must do. Run 3 cards and throw the rest on top (R3T).

Now run 4 cards and throw the rest on top (R4T).

Our last sequence will add something a little new. Do this: Run 5 cards and then run the 6th card but “in-jog” it (fig. 1) and throw the rest on top (R5IT). Now you must cut the packet below the in-jog and complete the cut (CI).

The shorthand code for the sequence is R3T, R4T, R5IT, CI.

Now continue your patter:

“Let’s review what we’ve done. We’ve shuffled and we’ve cut. Now here is where we experiment with this ‘Chaos’ thing. Let’s try to ‘undo’ the chaos that we’ve caused. First we shuffled, so let’s try to ‘un-shuffle’ - maybe like this...”

Hold the packet face down in the left hand and feed the top card off into the right hand.

Feed off the second card in the same manner and take it in the right hand ON T OP of the first card. (fig. 2)

Feed off the next (3rd) card and this time take it UNDER the two cards already there. (fig. 3) Push off another one and take it on top. Next one goes under, next one on top etc...

Continue to feed the left hand cards into the right hand one at a time and alternating top, bottom, top until all of the cards are in the right hand.

Take the packet back into the left hand:

“Remember also that we gave the packet a cut. Now let’s see what happens when we give the packet an ‘un-cut,’ whatever that is.“

“Let’s see... in a regular cut, cards are taken from the top and placed on the bottom. So maybe in an ‘un-cut’ we should take some cards from the bottom and place them on top.”

Now spread the packet slightly to the right as you pull out, or fan out to the left, some cards on the bottom of the packet.

Count to yourself 4 cards and remove these in a group as if you were cutting the packet and place these 4 cards on top showing the spectators that you are doing what must be a reasonable guess as to just what an “un-cut”

might be. (fig. 4)

The packet is now in perfect order. You display it by spreading it face up across the table as you say:

“If you want to try this at home, just remem-ber - If your ‘un-shuffle’ is perfect, and your ‘un-cut’ is exact... and you get a little lucky... maybe,… just maybe,… you too can create ... ORDER OUT OF CHAOS!”

Of course you should time your last remark so that you are spreading the packet just as you deliver the last few words.

I sometimes perform this by having another spectator follow along with another suit or the same one from a different deck. When I shuffle and cut the spectator does the same thing (only for real of course).

When I “un-shuffle” I tell them to do what-ever they think is right, to use their “favorite method,” as magicians like to put it. I then have them spread their packet and show its disarray, or utter chaos. After they pick up their packet I spread mine to show what it should have looked like.

You must of course adjust your patter to allow for the fact that you are not working alone this time. The effect gets a good reaction from spec-tators. I hope that you get one also!

End note:

I have performed this effect for many, many magicians and I can tell by their looks, and the comments that they make, that this effect can really fool them.

The concept is so novel (the FFS) and the ending so surprising that when the shuffles are performed in a smooth and casual manner magicians are caught completely off-guard. Lay spectators accept it as either real magic or as a display of great skill.

Your patter and handling will guide them to which of these two conclusions that you prefer.

When performing with a stacked deck, the entertainer is usually free from worries about sleights that might go wrong or a gimmick that won’t ‘do its thing’ at the proper moment.

* You can concentrate your efforts on the performance.* Your FULL attention can be given to achieving the intended effect.

You don’t have to know any false counts, false deals, multiple lifts, passes, shifts or palming for the effects described herein.

You need ZERO knowledge to read and perform these effects! All of the effects included in this e-book will use some form of a stacked deck, usually just a few cards, some-times a half-deck or so. Hence the title...

Four Second Stack (based on an old John Scarne legend):Explain that you developed the ability to stack a hand of four-of-a-kind to yourself in a 3,4,5, or 6 handed Poker game using the overhand shuffle method and that you could do it in only 2 or 3 seconds. Simplicity at its best...they will be fooled.

BugHouse Poker:Relate how you entered a Poker Tournament and demonstrate how you produced the winning hand in a very unusual manner. Are you just lucky or is it magic? Absolutely NO SKILL REQUIRED.

Bughouse Blackjack:A perfect follow-up to Bughouse Poker, but with a Blackjack theme. Like BugHouse Poker, learn to perform this immediately after reading it.

Kangaroo Kid:An Aussie teaches you how to play “Outback Poker” with some magical happenings... and a couple of drinks. A real stunning self working routine you will add to your repertoire immediately.

LRB Stacking Demo:This effect is a real honest-to-goodness gambling (cheating) demonstration. This routine is not meant to take anyone’s money! The author takes no responsibility.

What’s next? What you should do...

Poker Poetry:It is a Poker deal with a twist. Not only do you produce good Poker hands while seemingly shuffling and cutting the cards, but the story has a “they lived happily ever after” type of ending. Women love this self worker of an effect.

High Card Poker:Many years ago Lew Brooks was playing in a friendly Poker game when one of the players made the comment that he never seemed to get any high cards. That thought stuck with Lew and shortly thereafter this effect was born.

Red/Black Location:Differentiate between red and black with just the touch of your finger. The method is so simple, you will fool yourself!

Invent your own stack:Suppose that you like the concept of the False False Shuffle and have an idea in mind for an effect. Maybe in your effect you want to include some unusual handling procedures such as “double-dealing” (see The Kangaroo Kid) or maybe a “duck & deal” or a spelling sequence (all discussed in this manuscript.) It is usually pretty dif-ficult to get from the desired ending back through all the gyrations to the original set-up sequence. Now you can invent your own stack using the Lew Brooks method. There are no limits to your creativity now!

Look what others are saying about Stack Attack

“Lew, I always enjoy getting together with you. Your routines are clever, original, and entertain-ing. You’re a friend - and a gentleman.” - Mike Skinner

“...produces stunning results...each of Lew Brooks’ themes is better than good and I like the lines and presentations...Highly recommended!” - Jeff Busby