#5. The Best Spread Force
how I took one of the best card forces... and made it better
A good force is an essential in the toolkit of any magician, but many still don’t put enough effort into having a good one. The difference between a carefully constructed one and an unrefined beginner slip force is immense. A good force does not simply goes unnoticed, it makes the spectator swear that the card was his choice, and that there is no way that it was forced.
The only way to convince the spectator that he is in control, is to give him some control. So, whenever possible, we should let them put some thought on which card they want, and give them the option to change their mind. This is not possible with some forces like the classic force.
I think there is value in the classic force, but it is not the one to use in tricks that get ruined when the spectator suspects a force. For example, Hofzinser ace problem is a great trick for a classic force, while watermark by Mathieu Bich is not.
The spread force (also called Hofzinser force, or under the spread force) allows a lot of freedom for the spectator. After years of using the most basic handling, I developed a better one that gives the spectator more freedom, and feels much fairer.
This is how it looks:
And this is the explanation:
I hope you liked it and will start to use it. I truly believe it’s the best handling out there.
NOTES:
There are two moments of choice for the spectator: the moment they say stop, and the moment they touch one card
Give them the option to change their mind after they touch one of the cards
For some tricks it can be good to say a line like: “I don’t want you to think that I have somehow influenced you to touch this particular card, so if you want you can change your mind”
Move your whole torso and head away and towards your left when you show them the card. It feels very fair.
Interesting Magic Plot Structures:
“I can do x… but”
I can see the future, but only by exclusion: I only see the things that will not happen.
I can read your mind, but I don’t understand what I read. I have to use a translating tool to make them understandable.
This pill makes my sense of touch become superhuman, but all my other senses don’t work for a few minutes.
That’s it for this week, see you soon!
Great entry. I like your variation, I believe I've seen the displacement to the left before though. I personally use the Criss-cross force when ever possible, But I admit the Under the spread force is incredibly deceptive, when I have used it I have done the "less elegant" Jay Sankey variation, but in reality one needs to practice the roadrunner cull...