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Over a period of years Thomas Baxter has published a number of startling and innovative contributions for creating mysteries with Playing Cards. These ideas have appeared in places such as Trapdoor and Antimony Magazines， and in books such as Ariel Frailich’s CARD STORIES ; Allan Slaight’s THE JAMES FILE and his own books， THE ACTION COP and A CARD MERELY THOUGHT OF…

Many of these works are now out of print and no longer available. This manuscript is a result of requests from the fraternity to have several of Thomas’s favorite routines and techniques compiled into one single， readily available place.

These are routines that have delighted lay audiences and magicians alike in 31 countries around the world. In this manuscript you’ll find out why Steve Beam of Trapdoor Magazine fame said： “Thomas Baxter does Super Magic!” and you’ll see what he means by one of these effects – BREATHLESS – having the power to elicit the “wet-shorts response!”;

…and why Jay Sankey wrote， about Tom’s work on THE ACTION COP， that Tom had created “…a small collection of effects and moves， each with a Zen-like simplicity and the unflinching focus of a professionally served tennis ball.”

Included in this 120 page e-book are over 100 photos and illustrations， with complete descriptions and instructions for performing：

The Action Cop

A diabolical， technique for the invisible control and removal of cards from the deck.

The Spread Control Cop

A move that rivals the Erdnase Diagonal Palm Shift for economy and invisibility.

Transference

Tom’s eye-popping take on a Larry Jennings two-card transposition that was a favorite of Dai Vernon’s. Cards are signed， and no duplicates are used.

Pick Off Pip (Version I & II)

A seldom-seen classic brought up to date and transformed into a multi-phase routine that plays brilliantly for all ages.  Perfect for strolling during cocktails.

Ascanio Meets Hofzinser (for the first time)

A solution for the Hofzinser Ace Problem， utilizing his Action Cop principles.

The New Theory Dribble Pass

An invisible， angle-friendly dribble pass with some new thinking attached.

Ascanio/Hofzinser Reunion

Tom’s newsest and favorite solution to the Hofzinser Ace Problem. Jon Racherbaumer added this one to his working repertoire.

Breathless

A blockbuster Cutting to the Aces routine. Cards repeatedly shuffled and cut， Aces produced， then Kings， then the entire deck magically presents itself in new-deck order!

Wide Opener

A unique， multi-phase routine wherein a chosen card repeatedly makes its way back into a closed and boxed deck， all while seemingly under the participant’s control. A very new use for a very old principle.

Brrr!

A treatise on The Open Prediction， sharing Tom’s thoughts on Stewart James’s ultimate version， 51 Faces North. Brrr! Meets all of the conditions set out by Stewart for the ultimate Open Prediction!

27 Below

An unusual and versatile method for an “in-the-spectator’s-hands” forcing of a card. Tom uses this for an Open Prediction， but the possibilities are endless! And it came to him in a dream!

The Spread Force

Tom’s preferred technique for the “Think-of-a-Card” plot. This has mystified audiences and performers world-wide.

Delusional

Tom considers this his most powerful effect with playing cards. A tribute to Charlie Miller’s THE DUNBURY DELUSION， utilizing Tom’s Think-of-a-Card ideas.

The Saltshaker Transposition

An entertaining and memorable multi-card transposition for the strolling Magician.