Okay, that indeed is a different opinion. I don't see anything wrong with the way of squaring up of the cards. As long as it's kept open and clean looking, it would definitely work.
The pop-out move however, since now I'm confused whether it was a fail or not, actually looks like a move. Leave out the waving and counting, have the spectators hold out both of their hands like a little table, then do it when just saying "Watch" or something like that. At least that's one way to improve the magic in the effect.
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