Performing magic tricks requires dexterity, speed, and accuracy. You also need a lot of practice. Don't be discouraged if the audience isn't amazed and amazed that you're just learning. Instead, learn to master some simple card tricks and start building your magic collection from there.
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Method 1 of 7: Moving Card Up
Step 1. Practice some important card playing skills
Every card magician knows how to wow the crowd by "magically" bringing up the top card, which previously looked like it had been placed in the middle of the deck. Through this trick you begin to learn the combination of hand speed, finger agility, audience distraction, and the performing arts required for card magic. Start by practicing these two skills:
- Take two cards at once from the top of the pile (so you look like you only took one card).
- Slip a card just below the top card when you briefly hide the card behind your back.
Step 2. Tell someone, "Take one card, any one
Ask everyone to pay attention. Show the card to all the spectators. Tuck the card under the top card when you hide the card for a moment behind your back, when no one is paying attention.
If someone protests when you hide your cards behind your back, say it's part of the "tension" and "magic ritual." This trick is just one of many card tricks found on wikiHow
Step 3. Show the deck of cards and take the top two cards at once
Show only the bottom card to the spectator, as if only one card was drawn.
Step 4. Ask the spectator "Is this your card?
When they answer "Yes, that's right!", put the pair of cards back on the pile.
Step 5. Take the top "trick" card and move it to another place on the deck
Remember, the selected card is now in the top pile, unnoticed by the spectator. The spectator will think that this is the card they chose.
Step 6. Explain that you will move their cards up the pile
Do some magic-like moves to add a dramatic aspect to your magic trick.
Step 7. Turn over the top card and say "Abracadabra
The card is the card they have chosen. This trick usually takes a little practice, but can still surprise the audience.
Method 2 of 7: Mastering the "Four Aces" Trick
Step 1. Remove four aces from the deck and place them on the top
Don't let the audience know you did this.
- It is best to prepare a deck of cards with four aces on top beforehand. Take a pack of cards out of your pocket and use them for magic tricks without letting the spectators shuffle them.
- Do this subtly. Ask directly, "Hey, anyone wanna watch magic?" then just get started. The smoother and more natural you start, the less the audience will question your magic tricks.
Step 2. Divide the deck of cards into four equal parts by stacking the cards from the bottom
The four aces must be at the top of the fourth pile.
- Arrange the decks from left to right so that the fourth pile is on the far right.
- Don't focus too much on the fourth stack. Magic is always a trick, and this magic trick can fail if the spectator knows the position of the four aces. Keep talking to distract them.
Step 3. Take the first pile and move the top three cards to the bottom of the pile
This action gives the illusion that you are shuffling and shuffling the cards.
Step 4. Divide the top three cards onto another pile, one card for each pile
Start from the pile farthest from the ace pile, and end at the pile with the ace in it.
Deal only one card per pile. This is very important because when you are dealing a deck of cards with an ace in it, you need exactly three free cards on top of the ace for your magic trick to work
Step 5. Repeat this step with the other three stacks
End this process by dealing the pile of cards that have an ace.
By moving the three cards above the ace pile to the bottom, now the ace is back in the top position. When you deal cards in another pile, the top card in the other pile must be an ace
Step 6. Open the top card in the four piles and show that they are all ace cards
If the audience is stunned into disbelief, say that you can repeat it.
Once you've perfected this trick, offer the audience to do the steps. Give specific instructions on how to cut cards (don't shuffle!), shuffle (top three cards only), and deal (one card per pile). The result will always be the same. The difference is, the audience will "more" believe in your magic trick because they think you can control the cards that will come out
Method 3 of 7: Predict Cards Easily
Step 1. Take a pack of playing cards and have a spectator shuffle them
Encourage the audience to shuffle it to their heart's content. This trick is based on probability, not tricking the audience.
Step 2. Ask the spectator to name two cards
Ask the spectator to name two cards, without the flower.
- For example, "king" and "ten" only. "King of spades" and "ten of hearts" are too specific and significantly reduce the chances of this trick working. If they mention the card and flower, say something like, "Hey, I'm just learning, let's try it with "king" and ten" with a smile.
- When spectators say "king" and "ten", they are actually pointing four cards to each number, because they didn't mention the flower. With two cards, there are a total of eight cards in question: king of diamonds, king of curls, king of hearts, king of spades, ten of diamonds, ten of curl, ten of hearts, ten of spades.
- Theoretically, of these eight possible cards, there is at least one king card next to a ten card.
Step 3. Place your hand on the deck of cards and pretend to concentrate
Wait about 30 seconds to a minute before continuing with this trick. This moment helps build the illusion that you are actually doing something to draw the cards closer together.
This move is all you need to do for this trick. Try as much as possible not to touch the cards in this trick. This will reinforce the notion that you are actually doing magic
Step 4. Have the spectator open the deck of cards and comb through it
Miraculously, the two cards will (hopefully) appear side by side on the deck!
Sometimes there may be a single card that separates a king and a ten. If this happens, just tell the audience that you're still not concentrating. Repeat this trick and hopefully these two cards will appear side by side next time
Step 5. Find the two cards and show them to the spectator
Don't touch the card, otherwise the spectator may think that you put a discreet card into the pile.
Method 4 of 7: Guessing the Bottom Card
Step 1. Hold a pack of cards face down
Show the audience that you are actually holding a regular pack of cards.
Show the card in front of them to make them believe. You can also shuffle the cards or have them shuffle them before starting this card trick
Step 2. Peek at the bottom card before placing the card face down
Make sure no one knows you've been snooping on them. Remember this card carefully because you will reveal it to the audience later.
Keep repeating in your mind "ace of diamonds, ace of diamonds" (or any card). This will help you remember the card as you perform this magic trick
Step 3. Have the spectator tell you to stop while you are combing the cards
This will reinforce the illusion that they are in control of the magic trick.
- Hold the deck of cards face down with one hand. Place the thumb of your other hand at the bottom of the deck of cards. Use two fingers of the same hand to slide the top card toward you.
- If you've crossed more than a quarter of the stack without stopping, take it slow and joke around with the audience so someone can try to stop you. This is necessary so that you can draw cards from the bottom of the pile more easily.
Step 4. Pull the top and bottom cards together in one motion
Use your index and middle fingers to draw cards from the top pile into your hand
- At the same time, use your thumb under the deck of cards to draw cards into your hand. With a lot of practice, the spectator will not notice that the bottom card has been taken from the deck.
- Remember, this bottom card is the card that you have memorized before and we will show it as the card that the spectator "picked".
Step 5. Show the spectator the card that has been drawn from the pile and hold the card facing away from you
For added effect, close your eyes or look the other way as you show the card to the viewer.
Step 6. Ask them, "Is the card an ace of diamonds?
They must be excited when you guess their cards.
Method 5 of 7: Perfected the "Choose Any Card" trick
Step 1. Spread the cards in a fan shape on the table face down
You don't have to shuffle the cards, but the audience may be more satisfied if you do.
Step 2. Ask a spectator to come forward to choose a card
Be patient, because the longer it takes them to pick a card, the more certain they will be that you won't be able to guess it.
To reassure the viewer, you can turn your head the other way when they select a card. Many spectators might assume that this trick is based on card counting techniques. There are tricks that do rely on card counting, but this trick is simpler
Step 3. Cut the cards into two piles after the cards are selected
Place one pile in your right hand and another pile in your left. The spectator will most likely choose a card in the middle, so cut the card slightly away from the center.
Step 4. Ask a spectator to remember this card and place it on top of the deck of cards in your left hand
Speak slowly and clearly, and confidently.
Don't rush the spectators, they may assume that you have memorized the previous card
Step 5. Take a quick peek at the bottom card in the right hand
While you don't need to show this card, you will use it to find the card the spectator chose.
Step 6. Place the spectator's chosen card between the two decks of cards
Make sure you place the pile in your right hand at the top, so that the card you remember will be right next to the card the spectator chose.
Step 7. Open the cards on the table face up
Find the card you remember as quickly as possible.
- Spread the cards in order. The best way to do this is to place the deck of cards on the left and use your right hand to slowly open it to the right. The result will resemble a fan.
- The card you remember will be to the left of the card the spectator selected. Any card directly to the right of the card you remember is the card the spectator chose.
- Avoid opening cards too quickly and carelessly. You may accidentally damage the position of the card, thus thwarting this trick.
- You can use your finger to find the cards, but don't stop and look at each card. This can give the viewer a clue as to what you're actually doing.
Step 8. Take a card from the unfolded card and ask the spectator, "Is this your card?
Even though it sounds like you're asking, speak firmly, in a slightly arrogant manner.
Make the audience think you know exactly which card you're going to take before they do. This will make you feel like you have magical powers even though you are actually only using a strong memory
Method 6 of 7: Predicting with a Handkerchief
Step 1. Look at the top card and remember it
In this example, say "ace of spades" or "seven of hearts".
Do this part without the audience knowing. This trick will be even more convincing if you pull out a pack of cards and jump right into the show
Step 2. Place the card face down, then cover it with the handkerchief
Make sure the spectator sees that the deck of cards is face down before you cover it with the handkerchief.
- For best effect, use as much non-see-through handkerchief as possible.
- The handkerchief is used as a distraction. People will assume that this trick is based on the use of a handkerchief and ignore that you have previously memorized the cards.
Step 3. Turn the deck of cards face up while you cover it with the handkerchief
Make sure you do this while covering the card. If the card is seen, the truth behind this trick will be revealed.
Try to do this move as quietly and quickly as possible. Make the motion of putting down the handkerchief and turning the card over in one smooth motion so people don't notice what's going on
Step 4. Have a spectator cut the card under the handkerchief into two halves
Ask the spectator to cut the cards and place one piece next to the other. Make sure you know where to cut and keep the card covered in the handkerchief.
- Have the spectator only cut the cards in half, not shuffle them.
- Since you've turned the deck of cards before, the bottom of the deck becomes the top. This part is important because when you ask a spectator to cut a card in half, they think they have cut the top card, when they cut the bottom card.
Step 5. Take the actual top piece and remove it from behind the handkerchief while turning it face down
This piece should contain the top card that you memorized earlier. This trick is a bit tricky but can be quite convincing as long as you keep the audience focused on the handkerchief.
- Remove only the top cardstock. Let the handkerchief cover the bottom piece of card, which is still facing up.
- Sweep your hand over the handkerchief. Try making some magic moves with one hand to distract the spectator from the other hand turning the deck of cards.
Step 6. Ask the spectator to take the top card from the pile of cards you remove
Have them show the card to another spectator without showing it to you.
This card is actually the top card, but the spectator will think that this card is drawn from the middle
Step 7. Guess the card after everyone has seen it
Watch as they gasp in disbelief.
Step 8. Take the remaining deck of cards from behind the handkerchief while turning it over
Do this while the audience is still confused about how you guessed it.
It is possible that the spectator will want to check the other half of the cards after this trick is done. Don't give them a chance to question whether you've turned the card under the handkerchief
Method 7 of 7: Mastering "Collecting Card Eights"
Step 1. Arrange the eights before use
Remove four eights from the deck. With the cards face down, place one eight in the top pile. Place the second card in the order of ten (meaning counting nine cards from the top, including the first eight).
Turn the entire deck of cards over and count seven cards. Place the third and fourth eights in the eighth and ninth positions. Turn over the entire card. Now the cards are ready to be played
Step 2. Convince the spectator that you will draw a card at random
Make it as fun as you can as your finger traces the card and says you're going to guess a card.
- Go through all the cards once or twice while you talk to the spectator and re-stack the cards.
- Start tracing the cards, and silently count to ten. Don't look at the cards - keep your eyes on the viewer. When you get to the count of ten, place your index finger under it and continue tracing the cards.
- Draw a tenth card (one of the eights) and place it face down on the table. Say that this is the card you will guess.
Step 3. Turn the entire deck of cards over
Tell the spectator that you are going to count the cards. Pass two eights in eighth and ninth positions before telling the spectator "Now you can decide when I have to stop."
Step 4. Split the card into two halves when the spectator tells you to stop
Place them both face down on the table. Place the bottom card piece (which contains the eighth card in the eighth and ninth positions) on the right, and the top piece of card (the eight card is in the top pile) on the left.
Step 5. Turn over the top card from the deck on the left
This is the eight card you have previously placed. Point to this card and state: "Look, this is card eight (followed by flower name)."
Tell the spectator that means you have to take eight cards from the deck on the right
Step 6. Count eight cards from the bottom of the deck on the right
The position of the card remains in a closed state. These cards are the third pile. Place this third pile on the table (adjacent to the pile on the left). Hold the stack in your hands keeping it closed.
Make sure the audience can follow it. Invite the spectator to count together "One, two, three, …" as you move the cards. Now you have three decks of cards and one face eight
Step 7. Unlock another eight card
Open the top card in the pile you just placed on the table. The card must be an eight. Place it next to a face-up eight.
- Then turn the pile in your hand and show another eight. Place it on the table along with the other two cards.
- Now, after setting the scene dramatically, turn to the last card to show your predictive power (the card you've been keeping face down for the rest of the show). Or, ask a spectator to open the card.
- Surely many will be surprised; This trick can easily fool a lot of people!
