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
