BRAINSTORM
Larry Becker
 
EFFECT: Anyone shuffles a deck of cards. The performer makes a prediction on a slip of paper...folds and places it in an empty card case. A spectator removes the joker (the only one in the deck) and shoves is FACE UP anywhere in the FACE DOWN deck. All the cards ABOVE the Joker are counted. The performer makes a second prediction on a slip of paper....folds it....and places it in the card case. Now, the card BELOW the Joker is noted. Both of the performer's predictions are removed by the spectator and read aloud. They both prove to be 100% accurate: The performer has somehow predicted in advance how far down in the deck the Joker would be inserted...and also the identity of the card immediately below the Joker. A DOUBLE PREDICTION that will completely baffle the most astute observer.
 
There is positively only ONE Joker used. The cards are genuinely shuffled. The spectator actually inserts the Joker ANYWHERE in the pack. The two predictions are not switched....and remain in full view inside the card case. The effect is simple...direct...and requires no skill. It is an amazing deception of professional calibre. But like all great tricks...it requires showmanship to create the maximum impact.