The Color Change The Color Change is a novel and illusive sleight. Using this sleight the front card of the pack, which is held in the right hand, is mysteriously transformed into another card (generally a selected one). This change takes place under cover of the left hand, which is shown to be empty prior to being placed over the cards, and also after the transformation has taken place.   First Method Fig 16 Fig 17 The pack is held in a perpendicular position between the thumb and middle finger of the right hand, as indicated in Fig. 16. The fingers of the left hand are, for a moment only, placed over the cards, the thumb resting on the back of the pack. As this hand is taken away with a slight downward movement, the rear card of the pack is carried along with it, (Fig. 17) being clipped between the root of the thumb and that of the first finger. As the front card of the pack is still in its place, no one will attach any suspicion to this movement, which practically resembles an indicatory gesture. The left hand is then, a moment later, replaced on the pack and this time leaves the palmed card on the top of the latter. The hand is then removed and the transformation of the front card is seen to have taken place.   Second Method Fig 18 Fig 19 This is a variation of, or rather an improvement on the last sleight. In this method the pack is held in a more natural and easy manner, as shown in Fig. 18. It will be noticed that instead of being held perpendicularly, the position of the pack in this case is almost a horizontal one. As the right hand, which has previously been shown empty, passes over the pack with an upward movement it seizes and carries away the rear card of the pack, clipping it between the root of the thumb and first finger (Fig. 19). The hand is then replaced on the pack and the palmed card left there.   Third Method In this version of the Color Change, the pack is held in a horizontal position in the left hand, the thumb of the latter being kept at one side of the pack. The first finger is kept on the back of the pack, and the remaining fingers at the other side of the cards. Fig 20 The right hand now passes over the pack for only a moment. Under cover of this movement, the first finger of the left hand pushes the rear card of the pack forward. This card is received and palmed by the right hand during its transit. The execution of the sleight will be facilitated if the tip of the first finger of the left hand is slightly moistened previous to the trick. Fig. 20 gives a rear view of the operation. The act of passing the right hand, which has previously been shown empty, across the pack, must be made to appear a gesture of no particular importance. The right hand (which holds the palmed card) is then replaced upon the pack a moment later and the card left on the top, where it can be exhibited as required.   Fourth Method Fig 21 Fig 22 Here we have an entirely different manner of accomplishing the Color Change. In this method, only one hand (which holds the pack), is used. While every one is looking at the front card of the pack, it is seen to suddenly form itself into an entirely different one. The pack is firmly held in the left between the root of the thumb and the first joints of the first and second fingers (Fig. 21). The thumb then pushes the first card, (in the picture, the Five of Clubs), upwards about one and a half inches, pulls it over towards the left side, and then slips the card on the back of the pack, where it is held clipped between the first joint of the thumb and the lower joint of the first finger (Fig. 22). The operation is generally covered by a rapid rotary gesture of the hand. Besides being very useful in effecting a visible change of a card, this sleight may be employed to excellent advantage in making a sort of a slip pass, whereby the top card of the pack, the back of which is turned towards the spectators, is transferred to the bottom without their being aware of the fact. Home | Card Tricks | Card Trick Skills | The Pass | The Force | Changes False Shuffling | The Glimpse | Card Palm | Card Sleights Copyright © 2003-2006 HowToDoCardTricks.com. All rights reserved worldwide.   You can quickly get a copy of every trick on this web site in a downloadable PDF book. That's over 40 classic card tricks to amaze and astound your friends, all stored on your computer to refer to at any time! Just click the link below to get your own copy today for just $5.