This is an effect that was originally put in the Stars of Magic video review. Although my methods differ significantly from the book, it was included to show the Ace Assembly effect and not necessarily Vernon’s handling.

This is the Ace Assembly that I use in informal situations. While I love gaffed ace assembly handlings, I never seem to have the necessary items on my person when a performing situation arises. This handling is my attempt at discarding the parts of ace assemblies that I hate and emphasizing those elements that I think most resonate with spectators.

Of course, all assemblies have their pros and cons:

Pros:

  • Impromptu–no gaffs, etc. Only a deck of cards required. No matter how much I like the gaffed versions, I’m rarely in a situation to perform them.
  • Progressive Assembly–I’ve always had a fondness for versions where the aces move one at a time without a bulk switchout in the beginning. This handling accommodates that preference.
  • Casual and loose handling–One of my biggest irritations in ace assemblies is the generally tight handling before the aces are laid down (which is admittedly done because the cozy handling is often part of the method) and the over-proving and over counting the indifferent cards onto each ace. This handling starts with the aces already laid down and the counting of cards onto each packet is done in a casual and relaxed way.
  • Psychologically Deceptive–Without getting into specifics, the routining of the assembly utilizes method cancelation and most of the dirty work is done at times of low heat.
  • Everything is Examinable–In reviewing the video it looks like I’m being too deliberate with the ace pile and that it might contain additional cards. It doesn’t. I was just trying to add a little extra drama to the 4 ace display. The ace pile is just the 4 aces.

Cons:

  • Sleight Heavy–although nothing is knucklebusting there are quite a few moves throughout the routine which isn’t a problem for me as I’m the one who came up with the handling in the first place.
  • Angle Sensitive–This routine cannot be done surrounded. In fact, the absolute limit is 3 people sitting across from you. This also isn’t a problem for me because it is situationally appropriate. In other words, I only perform ace assemblies when it’s time for a “pipe and slippers moment” and it’s quiet and I have someone’s attention that really wants to watch a trick. If I were surrounded and had the attention of a large group of people, an ace assembly is the last thing I’d perform.

Here is the explanation video for the trick demo’d above. It’s a long explanation weighing in at just over 35 minutes. I wanted to ensure that all of the subtleties and important scripting points were covered. You need to sign up at the bottom of this page in order to receive the password for the explanation. I would appreciate prospective signees not sharing the password with anyone. Also, there’s nothing to stop you from immediately unsubscribing after getting the explanation other than your own sense of what’s right. I only send out 1 or 2 newsletters a year so you won’t be getting spammed. Enjoy.