Craig Petty's The Atomic Deck tackles one of the most famous challenges in card magic, ACAAN, Any Card At Any Number. The premise is particularly clear: a spectator thinks of a random card and a random number, after which exactly that card appears in exactly that position on the deck.

The deck lies open on the table from the start. Participants may think of any card and any number and can change their choice as often as they wish. No card or number is forced. When the choices are final, the deck is picked up and the cards are dealt quietly one by one. The exact thought card appears on the chosen number.

The Atomic Deck is specifically constructed to take a large part of the technical work off your hands. No memorization is required, nor is complicated sleight of hand or card manipulation necessary. According to the creators, essentially you only need to be able to deal cards to use the system.

For the necessary information, one of the key presentations uses something that virtually everyone carries with them daily: a mobile phone. The system is designed so that the required information is encoded in a natural way. You do not need a phone or hidden electronic device yourself to do this. Additionally, various methods are explained by which the routine can be performed seemingly without a phone.

Another notable feature is that The Atomic Deck does not use adhesive sprays, wax, powder, or similar adhesives. The special construction is realized during the production of the deck, meaning that, according to the makers, none of the applied adhesive can wear off.

It is important to know that The Atomic Deck is not a normal deck of cards. The audience may browse through the cards during a proper presentation, but it is not intended to be given to an experienced magician for prolonged examination.

The Atomic Deck is an interesting choice for card magicians and mentalists who want to perform the classic ACAAN effect without complex calculations, memorization work, or demanding card techniques. A specially developed system by Craig Petty that puts a particularly direct version of Any Card At Any Number within reach.