| Why is it that most Magicians use card tricks in | | | | selected card. Simple. The victim, and the rest of |
| their act? Did they start out entertaining in | | | | the audience, were all concentrating on the return |
| Gambling Dens and Casinos? Or is it that the 'card | | | | of the selected card to the deck and didn't notice |
| sharps' had to learn magic card tricks in order to | | | | me tilt the top half of the deck so that the |
| cheat at Poker? | | | | underside of the card was visible. A few cuts |
| Whatever the reason, Card Tricks are an | | | | then make it look as if the card is mixed up in the |
| essential part of any Magician's performance. | | | | deck (a cut rarely splits the two cards that you |
| Some require difficult sleight-of-hand techniques, | | | | want to keep together, but to be sure, Glimpse |
| most just need you to distract your audience | | | | the bottom card after the last cut - if it is your |
| while you 'do the deed', many can be done in full | | | | Key Card, cut once more) and I then deal the |
| view. A few need gimmicked decks or | | | | pack onto the table until I see the card I viewed |
| pre-prepared decks in order to work. | | | | earlier. A nice twist is to carry on past the |
| The marked deck is a rarity these days; after all, | | | | selected card, dealing say, another 3 cards before |
| who needs to remember 52 different secret | | | | stopping and announcing "the next card I turn |
| markings, all small enough to go unnoticed by the | | | | over will be the one you selected." The victim |
| audience? Far easier to 'force' your victim to pick | | | | gleefully disagrees - you can take bets on it if you |
| a specific card (she thinks she had free choice, | | | | want - and then you reach over to the selected |
| but we know better!) then 'control' the card to | | | | card and turn that one over. |
| the top or bottom of the deck where it sits until | | | | There are lots of card tricks you can learn easily |
| you magically produce it. | | | | that can be found at many dedicated magic |
| A favourite technique of mine (called; the Glimpse) | | | | websites. Many magic card tricks are offered free |
| is to openly look at the card (this becomes the | | | | at these sites and are easy to learn. If you want |
| 'Key card') above the selected card as the victim | | | | to impress your friends in the bar or at the party, |
| replaces it in the pack; all I have to do then is find | | | | learn some magic card tricks and you will always |
| that card and I know that the one below it is the | | | | be in demand! |