Altered Traits by Sal Piacente - Trick

Effect: The Magician tells his audience that he's learning the fine art of cheating at cards, which he will demonstrate with a packet of cards he's been holding. The Magician counts the cards showing that one card turns face up. Let's say it's the King of Clubs. He now says that he has a problem with the King of Diamonds. Showing the King of Diamonds face down, he now turns the King of Diamonds face up and places it face down on top of the packet. He counts the cards in the packet for a second time. This time the King of Hearts is face up. The Magician squares up the packet, he then counts the cards for a third time. This time the King of Spades is face up. The Magician explains he still has a problem with the King of Diamonds. He takes the face-down King of Diamonds and turns it face up. He then places it on the face down packet of cards. He now says that the King of Diamonds can greatly influence the other Kings. He spreads the cards to show them face up. He then turns the King of Diamonds face down to show a red back. This card is tossed on the table. He turns over the second King to reveal a yellow back. This is also tossed on the table. The third King is turned over only to reveal a blue back and again, he tosses it on the table. The fourth King is turned over revealing a green back. This too, is tossed on the table with the rest of the cards.

The original idea for this effect came from Derek Dingle, but there was a lot of handling involved. Sal Piacente took a lot of the handling out which makes for a cleaner effect.