A Thought Well Stolen by Ben Harris

Ben Harris’ mind works overtime – perhaps, it never stop working at all! All of Ben’s magical creations are a result of his “out-of-the-box” thinking. This effect is no different.
Ben has been searching for a long time to find a way to perform ACAAN (Any Card Ay Any Number) without asking for any clue from the spectator, and without the chosen card being forced. Not only did he find the “ultimate” method, this method does not require any sleight-of-hand with cards! But his mind did not stop working there – it went “out-of-the-box” and connected with another effect known as “Matching The Cards”.
In effect, it looks like this: A spectator decides (free choice) which of 2 decks of cards to use. The cards are mixed up. The spectator merely thinks of her favourite card and determines its position in the deck. The performer takes his cards out of its case, mixes them, takes out one card and places it in a certain position in the deck. It turns out that this card is the spectator’s thought-of card, and it indeed occupies the same position in the deck as in her deck. The spectator does not utter a single word on her card. Just to show that he can control more than one card, the performer now causes the cards in both decks to match exactly! A strong effect with no sleight-of-hand at all!
You receive a 40–page manuscript. It is well written and reads like a whodunit story. First, the effect (“murder”) is described. You then feel like diving straight into the “explanation” section at the back of the book to find out how such an impossible effect can be accomplished without any sleight-of-hand with cards (“how the detective solves this almost impossible case”). Even the title of the trick “A Thought Well Stolen” sounds like the title of a detective tale.
Ben includes three Appendices in the manuscript. In Appendix One, Ben discusses a concept from his good friend Steve Shufton, which can raise the effect several notches higher. In Appendix Two, Ben explains 2 possible precursors and some nice variations. In Appendix Three, Ben teaches a couple of moves with cards that can enhance the overall effect.
Whether you are a sleight-of-hand card performer, or one who prefers non sleight-of-hand card tricks, you will want to add “A Thought Well Stolen” in your card repertoire. The effect is so strong the audience can only attribute it to your clever card handling skills! Highly recommended with two big thumbs up!