Karrell Fox started it all by placing a thumb tip beneath a deck of cards as it was held in dealing position. Then he opened his fingers and the deck looked for all the world like it was magically suspended.

Other methods surfaced. Secretly curled fingers, a loop of monofilament built into a playing card and even one utilizing a strategically placed paper clip. What you are about to read transcends all of the above.

I developed this 'no gimmick' method in the mid 70's and was reluctant to release it, until now. It makes a great opener, and you can do it at a moments notice. You'll learn this right away.

Suspension

The magician lets a deck of cards rest between the finger tips of his hands. The right and left finger tips just supporting the very ends of the deck.

Slowly he removes one hand. The deck remains suspended in the air, only a fraction of an inch at one end resting on the finger tips.

The other hand is brought back and the deck is turned over and spread to show that it is just a deck of cards. The hands are otherwise empty.

Handling

The deck is squared and held in the left hand, back of hand up, face of deck toward the floor.

The left fingers curl around one long side of the deck so that the finger tips rest on the bottom, face card.

The performer faces the spectators, the back of the left hand toward them, concealing the move to follow.

The left middle finger presses down on the bottom cards and pushes out toward the performer, which causes about five or six cards to spread out from the deck proper.

The left thumb acts as a stop to keep the deck squared and helps regulate the number of cards which are spread out by the left middle finger.

Palm up, the right hand approaches the end of the deck and the hidden spread of cards.

The right fourth finger goes above the spread of cards, the remaining fingers go below. This allows the performer to firmly clip the spread.

The right thumb rests lightly on the top right end of the deck. The left hand is positioned at the left end of the deck so that the hold on the deck appears to be the same with both hands.

The right and left thumbs are now raised up away from the deck, which is seen to be resting between both hands.

The left hand is moved away from the deck, which leaves the deck apparently suspended from the right finger tips, but in fact the cards are secretly clipped by the third and fourth fingers which act as a support for the entire deck.

In performing this, once the deck is resting between the hands, I ask a spectator to say either 'Left or right?' No matter how they respond, I remove my left hand.

Opener

As a warm up for this effect, the same illusion can be created while the cards are still in their case.

This is done by holding the card box in the left hand and squeezing the narrow ends which causes the front of the case to buckle out slightly.

The middle finger of the right hand (up to about half the distance to the first joint) is inserted into this opening as the card case is positioned between the hands.

The left hand can now be moved away and the cased cards appear to be suspended from the right finger tips.

The cards rest between the finger tips of the hands.	The deck remains suspended in the air, only a fraction of an inch at one end resting on the finger tips.	The left thumb acts as a stop and helps regulate the number of cards spread out by the left middle finger.
The right fourth finger goes above the spread of cards, the remaining fingers go below.	The card case suspension.	Holding the card box in the left hand and squeezing the narrow ends.
The middle finger of the right hand (up to about half the distance to the first joint) is inserted into the opening.