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BookOfCardTricks

Principle · Novice

The Dual Principle ('You Do As I Do')

Two packs, one secret glimpse, an impossible match.

Definition

In 'You Do As I Do' mysteries each person works with their own pack, mirroring the performer's actions. A single secret — usually a glimpse and a switch of position — guarantees both 'freely chosen' cards match.

Why it fools people

Because the spectator performs the same fair-looking actions you do, they vouch for the procedure. They never suspect that one quiet glimpse has predetermined the coincidence.

What it lets you do

  • Two-person coincidences
  • Hands-off-feeling mysteries
  • Strong closers for casual settings

Beginner drills

Glimpse and mirror

With two packs, glimpse your spectator's bottom card during a natural tilt, then guide both selections so the known card resurfaces as the match.

Success: Both cards match and the spectator feels they did it themselves.

Common mistakes

  • A glimpse that lingers.
  • Rushing the exchange of packs.

Tricks that use The Dual Principle ('You Do As I Do')

Ordinary deck

You Do As I Do

Two shuffled packs, you and a spectator each pick a card, and the two cards astonishingly match.

Mind Reading40mNo setup
Ch. IIILearn it
Ordinary deck

You Do As I Do

A streamlined two-pack coincidence where your card and the spectator's freely chosen card turn out identical.

Mind Reading15mNo setup
Ch. IIILearn it
Ordinary deck

Identical Thought

Two packs, a buried freely-chosen card in each, and both selections prove to be the same card.

Discovery15mNo setup
Ch. IIILearn it
Ordinary deck

Two Souls with a Single

An early two-pack coincidence in which your card and the spectator's selection turn out to be the same.

Discovery15mNo setup
Ch. IIILearn it
Ordinary deck

Follow Me

Two people each pick a card from their own shuffled deck, and the two chosen cards turn out to be identical.

Coincidence15mNo setup
Ch. IIILearn it
Ordinary deck

A Close Work Discovery

Two people each pick a card from separate shuffled packs, and the two chosen cards turn out to be identical.

Discovery25mNo setup
Ch. IIILearn it
Ordinary deck

A Follow-Up Effect

After two matching cards appear, both packs are cut and the new top cards also turn out to be a perfect pair.

Discovery15mNo setup
Ch. IIILearn it
Ordinary deck

Coincidence

Two spectators freely cut two shuffled packs, and each happens to cut to the very same named card.

Coincidence15mNo setup
Ch. IIILearn it
Ordinary deck

Lloyd's Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

A card the spectator chooses and a card you choose, each lost in the other's pack, prove to be the same card.

Coincidence25mNo setup
Ch. IIILearn it