Any Card at Any Number (ACAAN) by Craig Petty

The Atomic Deck: A Revolutionary Approach to Any Card at Any Number (ACAAN)

This document provides a detailed analysis of Craig Petty’s Atomic Deck, a method for performing the Any Card at Any Number (ACAAN) effect, based on reviews and demonstrations from experienced magicians.

Effect: What the Trick Looks Like to the Audience

The Atomic Deck presents a seemingly impossible effect: a spectator freely selects any card and any number within the deck, and the deck consistently reveals that card at the designated position. The key element is the open display of the deck throughout the entire process. The audience witnesses the entire procedure, reinforcing the illusion of an impossible feat. As Marc Paul succinctly stated, “That is the Berglas effect… You’ve cracked it,” referencing the legendary ACAAN challenge posed by Ted Berglas. The effect relies entirely on the deck’s internal construction, eliminating the need for sleight of hand or any deceptive maneuvers.

Full Details

The Atomic Deck’s core innovation lies in its unique construction, allowing for the ACAAN effect without any traditional manipulation. The deck is designed with a specific internal arrangement that ensures the selected card appears at the chosen position every time. Petty emphasizes that the deck handles itself, requiring no pre-memorization or complex setups. As Peter Turner noted, “It’s the cleanest ACAAN I’ve ever seen.”

The process unfolds as follows:

Crucially, the deck remains fully visible throughout the entire process. This open presentation is a defining characteristic of the method and a key element of its deceptive power. As demonstrated in the video, the performer repeatedly tests the system by changing the card and number mid-performance, consistently achieving the correct result.

Who Should Consider the Trick

The Atomic Deck is particularly well-suited for magicians who prioritize a clean, direct, and seemingly impossible presentation. It’s ideal for performers who:

• Value Transparency: The open display of the deck aligns with a presentation style that emphasizes fairness and avoids any suggestion of trickery.
• Seek a Hands-Off Method: The deck handles the complexity internally, eliminating the need for the performer to execute any sleight of hand.
• Desire a Modern Approach: The Atomic Deck represents a significant departure from traditional ACAAN methods, offering a contemporary solution to a classic challenge.
• Appreciate a “Wow” Factor: The effect’s inherent impossibility and the genuine reactions of experienced magicians (like Marc Walton’s stunned disbelief) contribute to a powerful and memorable performance.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The Atomic Deck is considered relatively easy to perform. The method itself is straightforward, requiring no complex techniques or memorization. The primary skill required is the ability to confidently present the effect and maintain the audience’s attention. The deck’s internal mechanics handle the core of the illusion, freeing the performer to focus on presentation and audience engagement. As Marc Paul observed, “It’s not the ultimate ACAAN, it’s the ultimate card trick,” suggesting that the ease of performance is a key factor in its overall appeal.

What Magicians Say

• Marc Walton: Walton’s initial skepticism quickly transformed into astonishment, stating, “That is the Berglas effect… You’ve cracked it.” He further declared, “It’s the cleanest ACAAN I’ve ever seen,” highlighting the method’s exceptional clarity and lack of deception.
• Peter Turner: Turner echoed Walton’s praise, describing the Atomic Deck as “the cleanest ACAAN I’ve ever seen.”
• Craig Petty: Petty emphasizes the deck’s self-handling nature, stating that it “handles itself,” eliminating the need for sleight of hand or memorization. He also notes that the deck represents a breakthrough in ACAAN methodology.
• David Burglass: Burglass described the effect as “the Holy Grail” and stated that the Atomic Deck is “the closest version to the Holy Grail that I’ve seen anyone do it.”