Howcast

How to Do the Three-Card Monte

Howcast — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:31:00 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Create a trick card Create a trick card, also known as the money card, by cutting off the corner of the Ace of Spades at a forty-five degree angle so you have about one quarter of the card.
TIP: A red Queen is often used as the money card, in which case you would tell an audience to “follow the lady.”
Step 2: Tape it to another card Tape the corner of the ace onto the Four of Hearts a half inch from the top left edge at a slight angle. Make sure you tape the back of the Ace to the front of the Four so you can flip the corner of the Ace up and down.
Step 3: Place the queen Place the Four of Diamonds in front of the trick card and hide the Queen of Clubs behind the trick Ace. When you fan the cards, the spectator will see the two Fours with the Ace of Spades in the middle.
Step 4: Ask spectator to pull the middle card Ask the spectator to remember where the Ace is. Lay the cards face down and tell the spectator to pull out the Ace, face down.
TIP: Practice flipping the ace down so that it’s not peeking out when you lay it down.
Step 5: Pick up the Fours Pick up the other two cards and position them close together so the sliver of Ace is hidden. Show them to the spectator, who’ll see just two Fours.
Step 6: Fool them Tell the spectator to turn over the Ace they picked out. They’ll be shocked to see it’s actually the Queen of Clubs.
FACT: Three Card Monte swindlers were once such a big problem in New York that local magicians waged a campaign to alert the public.

You Will Need

Ace of Spades
Scissors
Clear tape
4 of Hearts
4 of Diamonds
Queen of Clubs
Spectator
Red Queen (optional)

How to Do the Million Dollar Monte Card Trick

Howcast — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:31:15 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Show cards Fan the three Monte cards, showing only the corner of the Ace and Two, and display them to the spectator. Keep the Three of Clubs on the top, since that is the only non-gimmicked card, and the Ace of Hearts with the gimmicked corner on the bottom.
Step 2: Place Ace face down Tell the spectator to watch the Ace. Turn the cards face down, turning them top to bottom as you do, and slide the Ace onto the table, being careful not to reveal the gimmick.
Step 3: Place Two in center and Three to other side Slide the gimmicked Two of Clubs next to the Ace, again being careful not to show the gimmick, and then place the Three next to the face-down Two.
Step 4: Ask the spectator where the Ace is Ask the spectator where the Ace is, and tap it on its spot in the center.
Step 5: Flip the card in the Ace’s spot Flip the card in the Ace’s spot, revealing that it is now the Two. Conceal the rest of the card from the spectator, and flip it quickly to reveal only the Two portion.
TIP: Practice flipping cards and revealing the different corners — the quicker you become, the more convincing it will be that the cards are magically jumping around.
Step 6: Repeat the process Repeat the process, this time focusing on the Two in the center, concealing the Ace corner from the spectator. Each time will give the appearance that the card magically jumped into another spot.
FACT: The popular talk show host Johnny Carson was an amateur magician, and often featured magicians on some of his earlier shows.

You Will Need

Million Dollar Monte cards
Spectator
Table

How to Do the Dream Queen Card Trick

Howcast — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:01:39 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Put double-backed cards on ends of deck Square the cards with the double-backed cards on the top and bottom, the blue sides facing the same direction.
Step 2: Arrange the Queens in the middle of the deck Arrange the Queens between the double-backed cards, with all blue backs facing the same direction. Put the cards in the sleeve.
TIP: Be sure to remember how the cards are arranged in the sleeve. Know which way each suit on the Queen faces.
Step 3: Ask audience to pick a suit Ask someone in the audience to shout the name of any suit. Announce that you will now make the Queen of that suit magically appear.
Step 4: Pull cards out of the sleeve, suited Queen face up Say, “Now I will awaken your sleeping Queen.” Pull the cards out of the sleeve, with the Queen of the chosen suit face up and turned towards the audience.
TIP: Show the audience the empty card sleeve so they know you aren’t hiding extra cards.
Step 5: Fan the cards to show the Queen Fan the cards, showing the audience the backs of three cards and the face of the card with the Queen of the chosen suit.
Step 6: Flip the Queen and show it has changed color Pull the Queen out of the stack, quickly flipping it over to reveal that its back is a different color from the other cards.
TIP: Be careful not to show the other suit marking on the Queen. Cover it with your thumb or flip the cards quickly so that the audience can’t notice.
Step 7: Return the cards to the sleeve and never let your audience know about the secret of your magic cards, no matter how much they beg!
FACT: The earliest packs of European trading cards included face cards, but no Queens.

You Will Need

Two double-backed cards
red and blue
Two double-suited Queen cards with different colored backs
A card sleeve
An audience

How to Do the Color Monte Trick

Howcast — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:01:39 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Stack the cards in your hand Square the three cards in your hand with the random card on top, the red Ace in the middle, and the black Ace on the bottom.
Step 2: Show the red Ace Perform a double-lift, grabbing the top and middle cards together, pulling the two cards off to look like one card. Show the red Ace from the bottom of the two cards to the audience, and place them on top of the other card.
TIP: If you can perfect the double-lift, you can do hundreds of other card tricks.
Step 3: Show the red Ace again Take the top card, which should be the random card, and set it aside face down. The audience will think this is the red Ace. Show them the actual red Ace and place it on top of the random card aside. Repeat this with the black Ace.
Step 4: Move top two cards to the bottom Double-lift the top two cards the same way as in step two and move them to the bottom. You will appear to have moved only the black Ace to the bottom. Now reveal that the red Ace is on the bottom.
TIP: Learn a fast-paced patter to keep your audience occupied while you perform sleight-of-hand tricks.
Step 5: Grab the top and bottom cards Slide the middle card out slightly using your first two fingers. Then pull the bottom card and the top card off together, so they look like one card. Show the audience the red Ace, which is now at the bottom of the two cards you pulled. Place those cards back on top while maintaining the illusion of one card.
Step 6: Reveal the middle card Show the audience the middle card, which is now the red Ace again. The audience has now seen the red Ace in all three positions. Place the red Ace back in the middle.
Step 7: Reveal the black card Show the audience the black Ace on the bottom. Using the same method from step five, pull the top and bottom cards off together so that it looks as if the black Ace has jumped to the top card.
Step 8: Reveal the random card Place all three cards in a row on the table, face-down. Flip over the red and black Aces, and put the random card face-down in the middle. The audience still thinks the middle card must be a red Ace. Flip over the middle card to reveal the random card.
FACT: The “monte” card game first appeared in the early 19th century and derives from the Spanish word for mountain.

You Will Need

One red Ace
One black Ace
One random card
An audience

How to Do the Torn & Restored Card Trick

Howcast — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:02:19 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Tear one card Before you begin, tear off the top right quarter from a card of the same suit as the card you’ll be using for the trick. Using your thumb, hold this piece on the lower inside corner of the performance card.
Step 2: Fold the card Hold the intact performance card facing you, and fold it in half cross-wise. Unfold it, and then fold it in half lengthwise, making sure to keep the torn piece hidden behind it.
TIP: Explain that folding makes the card easier to tear.
Step 3: Rip card Rip down the vertical fold line from the top of the card to the midway point. Fold that corner behind the card while pretending to tear it away.
Step 4: Pull out torn piece Use the torn piece hidden behind the card, and show it as the piece you just pretended to tear.
Step 5: Fold corner Fold the lower right corner behind the card on the vertical fold line, fake-tearing the torn piece again. You now have the vertical half the card showing. Hide the torn piece back behind the card.
Step 6: Fold in half Fold the bottom of the card in half, pretending to tear off this final corner. Again use the torn piece to seem as if you’re tearing the card, and then hide it again.
TIP: Practice your folding technique often to make it appear as if you are really tearing the corners off.
Step 7: Palm piece and unfold Have your spectator touch the pieces to magically reassemble them. This distracts them when you slide the torn piece from behind the folded-up card and palm it. Then unfold the card to reveal it is whole again.
FACT: The Joker card is an American invention that originated in 1865.

You Will Need

Two regular playing cards of the same suit
A spectator

How to Do the Color Changing Deck Trick

Howcast — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:15:41 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Arrange deck so the cards all show one color Arrange the deck of cards so that all of the red sides of the cards are face up and the blue sides are face down.
TIP: Double-backed decks can be purchased at most magic shops, or make your own by gluing together two different colored decks, face to face.
Step 2: Fan the cards with the red backs showing Place the stack of cards on a table. Fan them out without turning the cards over so that your audience can see that the backs of all of the cards are red.
Step 3: Restack the cards Un-fan the cards so that they are stacked neatly. Say “Watch closely as I change these cards from red to blue.”
Step 4: Pick deck up the palm of your hand Carefully pick the whole deck of cards up in the palm of your hand, with the red backs touching your palm.
TIP: Be careful not to let your audience see the bottom of your deck when you’re picking it up.
Step 5: Turn your palm over Quickly turn your palm over so that the blue backs are now face up. The palm of your hand should be pointing up.
Step 6: Fan the deck of cards with the blue backs up Let the deck of cards slide onto the table from your palm, so that the blue backs are showing. Fan the cards to show that all of the cards are now blue.
FACT: The color wheel was invented by Isaac Newton.

You Will Need

A double-backed deck of cards

How to Do the Magicard Trick

Howcast — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:16:39 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Change iPhone background to plain Select a plain black background for your iPhone. This will help the card stand out more at the end of the trick.
Step 2: Adjust Magicard settings Go into the Magicard settings menu and adjust settings such as touch and click on display of the card, as well as any animation moves you might want to incorporate.
TIP: Disable the Magicard tutorial link from the Magicard settings menu on the iPhone so that it doesn’t display in front of your audience.
Step 3: Cut the deck several times Cut a deck of cards several times.
Step 4: Tell a spectator to select a card Tell a spectator to select a card to show to the audience.
Step 5: Place the card face down on the screen Show the card to the audience. Then place it face down on top of the iPhone screen.
TIP: Tap the phone once with the card on it, reminding the audience that you did not do anything to the iPhone during this trick.
Step 6: Remove the card from the screen Remove the card from the iPhone screen to reveal a mirror image of it on the screen. Let the Magicard application do its magic, and remind the audience that the image appeared without ever touching the iPhone.
FACT: When Apple chairman Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone, he prank called a coffee shop and ordered “4,000 lattes to go.”

You Will Need

An iPhone with the Magicard application
A deck of playing cards
An audience

How to Do the Blindfolded Deck Card Trick

Howcast — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:23:16 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Look at top card Look at the top card of the deck before you perform the trick.
Step 2: Put deck under handkerchief Show your audience the deck of cards; face down in your palm.
Step 3: Put handkerchief over deck Place a handkerchief over the deck while turning it so the face is up, without the audience noticing.
TIP: Keep the audience engaged with a joke or a bit of magic history.
Step 4: Cut the deck Have an audience member cut the deck.
Step 5: Pick up bottom pile Pick up the bottom pile and flip it over under the handkerchief so it is face down again in your palm.
Step 6: Show deck Show the deck, face down in your hand, tap the top card, and reveal the card to the audience.
Step 7: Tell audience card Tell the audience what card you are holding up. Bow and take in the applause
FACT: The oldest known deck of cards had four suits containing designs of coins, cups, swords and polo sticks.

You Will Need

A deck of cards
An audience
A handkerchief

How to Do the Mental Photo Card Trick

Howcast — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:17:11 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Shuffle the cards Glimpse at the bottom card, and then shuffle the deck several times, keeping the same card at the bottom. Remember the bottom card – this is your pick, but don’t tell the audience.
Step 2: Ask participant to name two suits Ask the participant to name two of the four suits, and eliminate suits until the suit of the bottom card is chosen.
TIP: Make the participant believe they are in control while you lead them to their choices. If they say Spades and your card is Clubs, eliminate Spades and continue until your suit is selected.
Step 3: Ask the participant to select a low, middle, or high card Have the participant select a low, middle, or high card. Eliminate groups and numbers until the bottom card’s rank is arrived at, giving the participant no choice but to select it.
Step 4: Divide cards into six piles Tell the participant to remember their card, which is the bottom card. Arrange the cards into six piles on the table. Remember where your card is, and eliminate all of the other piles.
Step 5: Have the participant select two piles Have the participant select two card piles, and begin the elimination process – eliminate piles that do not contain the selected card. If that pile is selected, eliminate the others.
TIP: Continue to remind the participant to picture their card.
Step 6: Remind the participant that you did not manipulate the cards Turn over the last card after the rest of the deck has been eliminated and remind them that this was their choice with no card manipulation or interference from you.
FACT: Almost half of American adults believe in the existence of ESP.

You Will Need

A deck of cards
A table
A participant

How to Do the Card in Wallet Trick

Howcast — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:47:01 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Glue two cards Glue the fronts of two cards together so the backs are showing. This is the trick card that you will put in your wallet.
TIP: Sneak it into someone else’s wallet and then perform the trick for them to make it even more impressive.
Step 2: Shuffle Shuffle and cut the deck several times. Fan the cards so the spectator can see them and have them pick any card they like.
Step 3: Sign the card Sign the front of the card with your name or make any other marks with a pen or marker to clearly identify it as the chosen card.
Step 4: Replace in deck Replace the card in the middle of the deck by sliding it into the front and making sure it slides out the back of the deck where you may discretely use your other hand to slide it on top of the deck.
TIP: Put all the fingers of one hand over the front of the deck, pretending to tuck in the card, while sliding it on top.
Step 5: Tap the deck Place the deck in front of you and tap it with your finger, saying the card will now jump into the wallet. Take the trick card out of your wallet or theirs, and place the card on top of the deck.
Step 6: Reveal Double-lift the trick card and the card beneath it and turn them over. The signed card will be revealed.
FACT: Did you know? The record for the largest collection of playing cards belongs to Liu Fuchang with 11,087 different sets.

You Will Need

A deck of playing cards
Craft glue
A pen or marker
A wallet
A spectator

How to Do the Blink Card Trick

Howcast — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:03:49 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Fold two cards Fold two cards in half with the faces on the outside
Step 2: Glue the cards together Apply glue to half of the back of each card, and then glue the halves together so the faces of the cards form two right angles and the backs unfold to look like one complete card back.
Step 3: Stick another card on the back Apply glue to the front of another card and stick that card to the back of the two cards you’ve put together. This will hide the line formed by the connection of the cards.
Step 4: Loosen the flap Bend the flap formed from the two card halves glued together back and forth to loosen the fold. This will make the trick easier to perform.
Step 5: Practice flipping the card Practice flipping the piece back and forth to reveal different card faces.
TIP: Try to flip the card face as fast as you can without showing the flap
Step 6: Perform basic trick Hold the gimmick card in one hand, and use your other hand to wave over it. When you wave over the card, flip the piece quickly with your fingers making sure to hide the flap.
Step 7: Incorporate card into tricks Learn to incorporate the Blink Trick into other tricks. The special gimmick card you’ve made can be used in several different tricks, so experiment and see which illusions you can create.
FACT: Did you know? The King of Diamonds has an axe, while the other three have swords.

You Will Need

A deck of cards
Glue

How to Do the Card Warp Trick

Howcast — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:17:09 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Fold cards Ask a volunteer to fold and make a crease lengthwise in the King, and another volunteer to fold and make a crosswise crease in the Six.
TIP: Use ordinary business cards to dispel any notion of using trick cards. Just don’t give them back.
Step 2: Rip the card Make a horizontal rip in the middle of one of the King’s long sides to the fold in the center. Conceal the tear with your thumb and fingers.
TIP: Cough to create a distraction as you rip the card or do it in advance.
Step 3: Turn the King over Fold the King along the crease and turn it over so the rip is underneath and the folded edge is toward your palm. Fold the Six and hold it in your other hand, with the folded edge toward the open edge of the King.
Step 4: Insert the Six Insert the Six into the top of the folded King and slide it down so that the cards are flush at the bottom, slipping the folded edge of the Six through the tear in the King, dividing the flaps created by the tear.
Step 5: Unfold Open the Six and fold it the other way, opening the King. The Six will be on the outside, folded over the King.
Step 6: Push the King Push the King through the Six so it comes out of the other side, magically reversed
FACT: Did you know? Warp speed is a term for faster-than-light travel, which most of the scientific community agrees is impossible.

You Will Need

A King and a Six from a deck of cards
Two or more spectators
Business cards (optional)

How to Do the Elevation Card Trick

Howcast — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:17:26 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Have a spectator pick a card Have a spectator pick a card but retain the bottom 12 cards. These are gimmick cards containing magnetic weights that raise any card touching them.
Step 2: Place card in the deck Take the spectator’s card and replace it in the deck.
Step 3: Cut deck and make sure card is next to magnet card Cut the deck, replacing the magnetic card on the bottom of one half on top of the spectator’s card on the top of the other half.
TIP: Squeeze the deck tightly together to ensure that the chosen card adheres to the gimmick card.
Step 4: Place deck next to fist Place a fist on the table. Stand the deck in front of your fist, flipping the cards so that gravity lowers the weight in the gimmick, raising the chosen card stuck to the gimmick. Instruct the spectator to focus and watch as the card magically rises out of the deck.
Step 5: Unclick magnet before the spectator examines the deck After the card rises, discretely unclick the magnetic gimmick that made the card rise.
FACT: Did you know? The term “hocus-pocus” dates to the 17th century, when performers invented the pseudo-Latin phrase as a magic formula.

You Will Need

A spectator
A deck of elevation cards
A table

How to Do the Brainwave Deck Card Trick

Howcast — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:03:34 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Make the gimmick card Place the glued cards between two heavy books to keep them flat. Leave them there for an hour to let the glue dry.
Step 2: Place the gimmick card Place the gimmick card on top of the deck. Make sure the color facing up is the same color as the rest of the deck.
Step 3: Have someone pick a card Fan the cards face-up and have an audience member choose one. After the card is chosen, square the deck and flip them over so the backs are facing up.
Step 4: Create a break and place the card Use your fingers to create a break between the gimmick card and the rest of the deck. Have the audience member place the card on top of the deck face up.
Step 5: Flip the chosen card and the gimmick card Double-lift the gimmick card and the chosen card and flip them over together. The back side of the chosen card should appear as if it has a different colored back.
TIP: Make sure when flipping the cards you have them perfectly squared to avoid showing the gimmick card or the real back of the chosen card.
Step 6: Change the color back Place the cards on top of the deck. Grab only the chosen card and put it aside. Fan the deck to show all the cards are the same color. Now flip over the chosen card to reveal that it’s the same color as the rest of the deck.
FACT: Did you know? Only the King of Spades faces towards his left.

You Will Need

A deck of cards all one color
One card of a different color
Glue
An audience
Two heavy books (optional)

How to Do the Floating Match Card Trick

Howcast — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:47:25 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Tape string Tape one end of the invisible string to one corner of the card.
Step 2: Wrap card Wind the string lengthwise around the card numerous times, moving towards the opposite end of the card to make a bed for the match.
Step 3: Tape string Tape the other end of the invisible string to the card.
Step 4: Perform the trick Place the card in the palm of your hand.
TIP: Keep your hand flat.
Step 5: Place match on the card Place the match on the card.
Step 6: Cup the card Wave your empty hand over the card while squeezing the ends of the card in your hand to give the illusion of the match floating.
Step 7: Wave hand Wave your empty hand again while slowly relaxing your grip on the card, returning it to a flat position. This will give the illusion of the match floating downward.
FACT: The Mendelssohn Opera Company created the first ads on matchbooks in the late 1890s.

You Will Need

Tape
A playing card
Magicianu2019s invisible thread
A match
An audience

How to Do the Cheek to Cheek Card Trick

Howcast — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:32:29 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Glue one deck face to face Take one whole deck and glue each card face to face so you have half a deck of double-backed cards.
Step 2: Add half of regular deck Discard half of the other deck, leaving half a deck of regular cards and half a deck of double-sided cards.
Step 3: Set up the trick Put the regular half on top of the double-sided half, and show the new deck to an audience. Split the deck into the two halves, placing the regular half face up next to the double-sided half on the table.
Step 4: Ask someone to choose a card Fan the regular cards and have an audience member choose one.
Step 5: Shuffle the halves together Shuffle the two halves together; keeping the regular half face up so it will appear that the cards are mixed up front-to-back and back-to-front.
TIP: Make sure to keep one side of the double-sided cards hidden so as not to reveal the gimmick.
Step 6: Place the card back in Have the audience member replace the card anywhere in the deck, face down. The regular cards are still facing up.
Step 7: Flip the cards and fan Shuffle the cards and then flip them around in your hands so that all the cards appear face-down. Fan the cards in front of the audience revealing the chosen card as the only card facing up.
FACT: Did you know? The King of diamonds is the only king portrayed in profile, with only one eye showing.

You Will Need

Two identical decks of cards
Glue
An audience
Table

How to Do the Key Card Trick

Howcast — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:32:17 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Shuffle the cards Have the volunteer shuffle the cards, and then choose one.
Step 2: Have them pick one Ask them to return the deck, and turn your back so you won’t see their card. Tell them to remember what it is.
Step 3: Look at the bottom card While your back is turned, look at the card on the bottom of the deck and remember it. This is the “key card.” Turn back around and have them put their card on top of the deck.
Step 4: Cut the deck Ask them to cut the deck, so that their card is now in the middle. The key card will be the one to the right of their card in the face up deck.
TIP: Tell them to cut – not shuffle – the deck as many times as they like. The key card will remain next to their card.
Step 5: Go through the deck one by one Place each card face up one by one. Stop when you get to the key card and bet the person that the next card you flip will be theirs. Swear it’s because you’ve read their mind.
FACT: Yale University’s rare book library includes engraved German playing cards from the fifteenth century.

You Will Need

A volunteer
A deck of playing cards

How to Read Someone’s Mind: A Simple Card Trick

Howcast — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:02:10 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Set it up Before your audience arrives, tuck the duplicate card into the bottom of the envelope… And fold the envelope over so the side with the writing is covered. Now put the three cards into the top part of the folded envelope, and stick the whole package in your pocket.
Step 2: Take out the envelope In front of your audience, pull the envelope out of your pocket and quickly put it writing-side down on the surface. Boast that it’s really not all that hard to read someone’s mind.
Step 3: Select a card Quickly pull just the three cards out of the top part of the envelope and place them face up on the table.
TIP: Make sure the spectator doesn’t see the the X on the back of the one card.
Step 4: Build suspense Ask an audience member to tap on the card of their choice. Build suspense by asking if they’re sure they want that card. Offer to allow them to pick another.
Step 5: Reveal No matter which card they finally settle on, tell them you knew they’d choose it — then prove it. If they chose the card with the ‘X’, flip it over & reveal your ‘prediction’ mark; the 2nd card, flip over the envelope to reveal your written prediction; the 3rd card, reach into the envelope and pull out proof you read their mind – the same card!
FACT: Magicians who specialize in mind reading are known as mentalists.

You Will Need

Three playing cards
one with a large X written on the back
An envelope w/ the words “You will choose” & name of 2nd card written on it
A duplicate of the third card
A flat surface

How to Transform One Card into Another

Howcast — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 06:00:58 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Choose a card Have a spectator choose a card, memorize it, and return it to the deck.
Step 2: Mark the return point Mark where they returned the card by using your pinky to create a slight space over it.
Step 3: Bring it to the top Do a quick shuffle, secretly bringing their card to the top.
Step 4: Bring the card to the bottom As you chatter, begin to overhand side-shuffle the deck. Bring their card to the bottom by sliding it off alone in the first cut.
Step 5: Move the second card Shuffle again, pulling off the top card, and placing it at the bottom of the deck. The chosen card is now the second card from the bottom.
TIP: Make sure you don’t let anyone see the deck’s bottom card as you shuffle.
Step 6: Show the card to the audience Turn over the deck and show the spectator the bottom card. Ask them if it is theirs. They will say no.
TIP: This is a good time to distract your audience a little. Start rubbing the deck and ask them if they’re sure.
Step 7: Set up the sleight Now here’s the tricky part: While your audience is distracted, secretly slide the bottom card forward about an inch with the heel of your hand. In the next motion, slide the second-to-bottom card, the spectator’s chosen card, back with the heel of your hand. Make sure nobody sees it!
Step 8: Finish Now swiftly push down with the heel of your hand on the second-to-bottom card — it will pop up and over the bottom card. Move your hands and voila – the spectator’s card has magically appeared on top of the deck.
FACT: The late magician Dai Vernon became known as “the man who fooled Houdini” after he performed a card trick seven times without Houdini figuring it out.

You Will Need

A fresh deck of cards
Lots of practice

How to Find the Chosen Card in a Deck

Howcast — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:01:05 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Set up the trick Set up the trick before your audience arrives. Fan out the red-backed deck of cards face up in front of you.Then find the blue-backed card that matches the red-backed card at the end of the deck… Put it face up on top of the matching red card. Now flip the deck over and you’re ready to go.
Step 2: Spread the cards In front of your audience, spread out the cards on the top, but keep the bottom few cards clumped together.
Step 3: Ask someone to choose a card Ask someone to choose a card and memorize it.
TIP: Make sure they don’t pick either of the bottom two cards!
Step 4: Do the Hindu shuffle Gather up the spread cards and begin the Hindu shuffle. But only use cards from the top two-thirds of the deck, so the blue-backed card stays on the bottom.
Step 5: Re-insert card When the spectator orders you to stop, have them place their card on the ‘top half’ of the deck. Then put the un-shuffled ‘bottom half’ of the deck on top of that.
TIP: You now have a deck of cards with the blue-backed card somewhere in the middle, directly on top of their chosen card.
Step 6: Spread the cards Tell the spectator that their card will ‘reveal’ itself as you spread the cards on the table. When you see the blue-backed card say, “Ah, a sign…”
Step 7: Split the cards Pick up the cards and divide them into 2 stacks, one with the blue-backed card on top. Place this stack on top of the other stack.The matching red-backed card is now at the bottom of the deck. The card the spectator chose is still directly below the blue-backed card.
TIP: Don’t let your audience see the face of the card on the bottom of the deck.
Step 8: Do a double lift Do a double lift of the blue card; pick up the top two cards, but pretend you are just picking up the top one. Tah-dah! It will appear to your audience as if the blue card was the card the spectator picked.
Step 9: Turn the cards over Now it’s time to double their pleasure. Turn the top two cards back over on the deck and say, “Let’s do it again.” Pick up the blue-backed card… Put it face down to one side… And start the Hindu shuffle again.
Step 10: Show bottom card Invite the spectator to stop you at any time and pick another card. When they do, show them the bottom card of the pile in your right hand — this will be the matching red-backed card. Tell them to memorize it.
Step 11: Rejoin the two piles Put the two piles back together. To assure the spectator that you’re not up to any funny stuff, let them shuffle the cards and spread them this time.
Step 12: Feign failure Scan the spread cards for a sign. Feign disappointment — there’s no blue-backed card this time! Look at the spectator as if they’ve ruined your trick.
Step 13: Flip the card Pretend you’re about to give up when you realize, of course, there is one blue-backed card you could check. Flip over the card lying to the side — it will match the card the spectator picked!
FACT: Nineteenth-century magician Robert-Houdin, known as ‘the father of modern magic,’ once said, “A conjurer is mainly an actor who is pretending to be a magician.”

You Will Need

One deck of red-backed cards
One card from a deck of blue-backed cards
Skill with the Hindu Shuffle technique
Skill with the Double Lift technique

How to Do the Hindu Shuffle Magic Technique

Howcast — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 06:00:43 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Cradle the deck Use your left hand to cradle the deck from below. With your palm facing up, extend your index finger in front of the deck. Use the rest of your fingers to grip the deck from the bottom.
Step 2: Grip the deck With your right hand, use an overhand grip to hold the deck gently between your thumb and middle finger.
TIP: Rest your index finger on the top of the deck for balance and support.
Step 3: Pull from the top of the deck Use your left thumb, middle, and ring fingers to pull a small bundle of cards forward off the top of the deck. They should land in your left palm.
Step 4: Continue your shuffle Continue pulling small groups of cards forward off the top of the deck until a few cards remain in your right hand. Place these cards on top of the remaining cards in your left hand. Your Hindu shuffle is complete.
FACT: The Hindu shuffle can lead in to a card force, a sleight-of-hand maneuver that allows a magician to control which card is selected.

You Will Need

A deck of cards
Practice

How to Bring a Chosen Card to the Top Of the Deck

Howcast — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 06:05:29 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Explain Tell the participant you are going to use mind control to make a card magically rise to the top of a deck.
Step 2: Perform a double lift As you’re talking, perform a double lift — that is, pretend you are taking just the top card from the top of the deck, but actually remove the first two cards.
TIP: The critical part here is to remove the two cards so smoothly that the participant believes you are showing them only the top card.
Step 3: Turn the cards Turn the cards over and ask the participant to memorize the card you are showing them — which they think is the top card.
Step 4: Put the cards back When they have assured you they have the card memorized, put the cards back on the top of the deck, and make a big show of removing the top card putting it into the middle of the deck.
TIP: Obviously, don’t let the person see the face of the card!
Step 5: Tap the deck Ask the participant to tap on the deck and visualize the card rising toward them. Now flip over the top card, and enjoy their amazement that the card you supposedly shoved in the middle is suddenly back on top!
FACT: Traditional Italian playing cards do not have queens.

You Will Need

A deck of cards

How to Perform a Double-Lift Card Sleight

Howcast — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 06:00:55 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Separate the top two cards Rifle through a deck of cards in your left hand as you chat with your audience. Separate the top two cards from the deck and hold the break with your pinky.
Step 2: Square the deck in your hand Square the deck and cup it between your thumb and your remaining three fingers. Your first finger should curl around the top — this ensures that the two cards will remain squared and look like one.
Step 3: Lift the top two cards as one Put your right forefinger into the break and your right thumb firmly on the middle of the top card. Slide them to your right, keeping the left-hand side of the cards resting on the deck. Quickly flip them over.
TIP: Sliding the edge of the cards on top of the deck ensures that they stay flush.
Step 4: Show the audience the false top card Display the two cards as one and then reverse the steps above to flip them back over.
TIP: Misdirection is as important as sleight-of-hand skills. Look directly at audience members and keep chatting so they will focus on your face, not your hands.
Step 5: Practice Practice until you can do this fast and flawlessly, because it is the foundation of many card tricks.
FACT: One of the earliest recorded descriptions of a card trick was written in the 15th century by Luca Pacioli, Leonardo da Vinci’s best friend and teacher.

You Will Need

A deck of cards
Patience
A mirror to practice in front of