The Force
When we talk about forcing, we are talking about compelling a person, without their knowledge, to draw particular cards out of the pack that we wish them to select. There is a certain and indefinable something about the force, in influencing the spectator’s choice in an unnoticeable manner. This part of the sleight is practically impossible to explain, but will be readily understood and learned by the beginner after they have made a few experiments on the subject.
Two descriptions on how to do “the force” will be provided – the first as written by A. Roterberg, and the second by Howard Thurston.
A. Roterberg’s Description of The Force
After requesting the spectators to shuffle the pack thoroughly, the performer receives it back and quickly notices the bottom card. In the act of advancing toward the spectator, the performer makes the double-handed pass, bringing the bottom card to the middle of the pack. The performer immediately spreads the cards out in fan shape, and requests the spectator to select a card.
Just as the spectator is about to take a card, the performer, who has in the meantime gradually passed the upper half of the cards from one hand into the other, arrives at the former bottom card which the performer has carefully kept track of. Exposing this card a trifle more than the others causes the spectator’s choice, in nine times out of ten, to fall upon this particular card.
The beginner is cautioned not to commit the usual mistake of exposing or offering the desired card at too early a stage of the force. At the moment that the spectator’s fingers are about to close on a card, the desired card must be there and not sooner.
In case the performer fails to force a particular card, the customary expedient is to request a person to retain the drawn card. The conjurer then goes to a more obliging person (ladies are the easiest to force cards on) and after forcing the desired card does the trick originally intended.
After this is done, the performer then requests the first spectator to replace their card in the pack, which is then shuffled. The conjurer then performs with this card one of the many existing tricks with a chosen card.
After a performer has thoroughly mastered the art of forcing, it is possible to try forcing a card while the pack is held by one hand only. The desired card in this case is the top card. In the act of advancing toward the spectator, the performer makes the Charlier Pass, thereby bringing the card from the top to the middle of the pack but allowing the two packets to form a step.
The upper packet is then spread a little by the left thumb, but none of the cards are exposed nearly as much as the desired card, which is the top card of the lower heap. Upon requesting a spectator to kindly select a card, the latter’s choice will most always fall upon the card that is exposed the most.
Dependent upon this fact is a still bolder form of forcing, the cards in this case being placed on a tray held by the performer. In arranging the cards, the performer simply takes care to expose the card or cards intended to be forced more than any of the others.
This description is from the book “Card Tricks and How To Do Them”, published by A. Roterberg.
Howard Thurston’s Description of The Force
It is next to impossible in writing to teach the novice to force a card; but the idea will very soon become apparent after the learner has made a few experiments. The card which you desire selected is, in the first place, either at the top or bottom of the pack, the pass is now made (bringing the particular card to the middle) and the pack spread out fanwise, the second finger of the right hand mean-while pressing on the bottom of the necessary card, as in Fig. 104.
Fig 104
A spectator is now asked to select a card from the pack, the performer meantime running the cards quickly from hand to hand, and, as the drawer’s fingers approach the pack, the second finger of the right hand literally pushes the desired card into his hand, as in Fig. 105, which represents the card being pushed forward.
Fig 105
The card to be forced should be a little more exposed than the rest. This, however, is only the A B C of the “force,” the successful operation of which can only be accomplished after innumerable trials. Above all, don’t be in a great hurry to get it over.
Endeavor to appear to be absolutely indifferent as to where the card is taken, even going so far as to say: “Have your choice, sir; take any card you wish.”
If by any chance the force fails, and another card is chosen, the performer need not fear a contretemps, but with a “Thank you, sir; kindly re-place your card anywhere you like in the pack,” put the little finger on it, make the pass bringing it to the top, from which position it can be palmed off, or the trick finished as fancy dictates. The first card is now “forced” on some more accommodating person.
This description is from the book “Card Tricks” by Howard Thurston.
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