This is what started it all. The original Byford Aces as described in Harry Stanley's Gen Magazine. Such a gem, and so powerful.

The prolific Ken De Courcy had a wonderful idea for presenting the Byford effect ON STAGE... I dare you to give it a try...

Some additional thoughts on Ken's concept.

NOW we start getting into the Valentine Variations!

So, I started looking at options for expanding the original Byford effect. We know we have the Aces but what about the OTHER cards... hmmm... get ready for the Royals... the impact here is tremendous!

Ya welcome :)

The more I perform this the more I think that in certain situations it's important to set up the plot... what do you think?

Here's my thoughts...

I wanted to repeat the effect...

because everyone asks...

but I think it's too dangerous to do the same method.

So, I created this.

You seem to perform the same effect, even offering incredible freedom of choice.

And yet...

This repeat has fooled some of the best minds in magic...

I'm...

Now for the latest instalment of the Byford Legacy: The Impossible Royals.

I came up with this a LONG time ago, and I kept it to myself for a LOOOONG time.

I’m finally ready to tip it.

Impossible Royals is the strongest way to do a fusion of methods for the Byford aces. We start with the regu...

If you’re new to MOTG (and welcome) you may not be aware of the fabulous “Byford Aces Project’. Possibly one of the strongest self working card tricks you’ll ever do.

It’s become a fave of many members here who use it in their professional work all the time.

I have explained the original and t...

When you learn and investigate an effect you’re often surprised to find you’ve already read variations in the past.

This effect is so close to Byford I had to include it, because it’s totally possible to add the Byford selection process to the finish. Although the ‘force’ used in this is brill...

Loving the Berning Byford sequence? Wish you could add a ROYALS finale?

Well, I discovered it was not as simple as it seemed... but I did it somehow...

So here it is.

It's really strong when you consider all the shuffling and cutting and various packet choices, in fact, if I wanted to do thi...

Probably the most important video of the entire project!

It's time to really discuss the 'FREE SELECTION' part of this miracle, how to guide the spectators, manipulate their choices in a non suspicious way, and we even ask the question, do you really NEEEEED to control the spectator?

Byford Ace...

Recently, I was performing the Byford Aces, and somebody shuffled the packets!

Now thanks to the dot on the back of the aces, I was able to casually ‘show’ each packet as mixed, rearrange each ace to the bottom of each packet and complete the trick effectively. PHEW!

But…

I wondered if there...