When I was working for the ZZM (Zauberzentrale München) with Harold Voit, one of the main tricks to be learned and demonstrated for the customers was Ken Brooke’s „Chase the Ace“: the one with the three jumbo cards with the false indices: Ace, Two and Three.
I always liked the trick. Small props but big effect. In the course of the years, I added a tiny thing, which makes the routine a bit more convincing. I wanted to be able to show the complete face of the Ace in the beginning, without having to cover the false index with the hand.
After dismissing all kind of weird and prepared jumbo cards stands that covered the false index, I finally hit upon the easiest solution. You need the classic set and an index piece from a matching Ace. This means you will have to buy two sets and destroy one of them.
Note that the index piece is not cut straight, but at an angle. This assures a more natural hand position when holding the cards.
Put the cards together and snap some broad rubber bands around them as shown. Position the bands so that the index piece fits. When bringing the cards out, you will hide the edge of the index piece in a natural way with your thumb.
In this way, you can show the card packet more freely. The spectators see a complete Ace. Remove the rubber bands, concurrently secretly stealing the index piece, and put them away.
You are left with the traditional set of cards and can go into your routine (preferably Ken Brooke’s).
