Mermelada Plus: Kings and Aces

The complete routine

Mermelada Plus begins with an unusual-looking shuffle and a story about sticky fingers. The kings reappear, a game is set up, and the climax introduces the four aces. Rafael Benatar presents his version, inspired by Paul Harris's Biological Shuffle, and explains how to link each phase without losing the clarity of the storyline.

The recording first breaks down the technical resources and then walks through the routine with its setup, transitions, and finale. It concludes with an integrated walkthrough to study the complete sequence.

Sleights and presentation

A table riffle false shuffle, the biological shuffle, Larry Jennings's rhythmic count, and the shift and reverse shuffle are explained. The work covers alignment, grips, and the rhythm with which small packets are displayed.

Another section covers the timing of the top change: the coordination of actions, the silence of the handling, the performer's focus, and the relaxation that accompanies a revelation. It examines how to tie these details together so that transitions feel natural rather than pausing the presentation to execute each move.

The patter about the jam justifies the visual and playful nature of the handling. The choice of words, the timing for showing the cards, and the relationship between what happens on the table and what the spectator perceives are also discussed.

Props and requirements

You need an ordinary deck of cards, its four kings and four aces, and a table or close-up mat. The setup is explained in the lesson. You should be comfortable with a riffle shuffle and a double lift; the count, specific shuffles, and top change are taught separately. It is recommended to practice each sleight before combining it into the full sequence.