Card Magic

The path

1. 1
   Level 1Free

   First Tricks

   A three-trick set, performed live

   15 Steps, about 28 minutes each. Anyone with a deck of cards. No sleight of hand experience needed.

   1. Chapter 1: First tricks. Two tricks that fool people, a shuffle that keeps a card where you want it, a force, and your first live show.
   2. Chapter 2: Sleight of hand. A clean double lift, the start of the Ambitious Card, and a coin that vanishes.
   3. Chapter 3: The show. Patter for every trick, a full Ambitious Card, a three-trick set filmed, and a performance for a group.

   1. 1
      Learn the key card trick

      Find a spectator's card in a shuffled deck, three times in a row.

      The key card trick is one of the oldest and most reliable card tricks. It needs no sleight of hand, just one secret: you know the card next to theirs.

      Here's the method. While shuffling, glimpse the bottom card of the deck. That's your key card. The spectator takes any card, remembers it, and puts it on top of the deck. They cut the deck and complete the cut. Their card is now directly below your key card. Spread through the deck and find your key card; their card is the one that sat directly below it.

      The detail beginners miss is the glimpse. Don't stare at the bottom card. Tilt the deck slightly as you square it after a shuffle, so you see the bottom card for a moment while looking natural.

      Here's an example. Shuffled, squared, bottom card glimpsed: seven of clubs. Spectator takes a card, looks, puts it on top. They cut and complete the cut. Deck spread face up. Seven of clubs found; the card that sat below it is the queen of hearts. "Your card." It is.

      Right is finding the card three times in a row. Magic is honest entertainment: you're presenting tricks, not claiming real powers. Keep your methods secret, but never use them to cheat at cards or win money.

      Complete DeceptionVanishing Inc.
      Show your group
   2. 2
      Learn a self-working trick

      A second trick that needs no sleight of hand, practiced until you don't need the video.

      Ash MarlowConjuror Community
   3. 3
      Control a card with a shuffle

      Shuffle the deck and keep the spectator's card on top every time.

      OTHMARIUS MAGIC

   See all 15 Steps

   1. 4
      Force a card

      Make the spectator 'freely' cut to a card you already know.
   2. 5
      Perform for one person

      Two tricks performed for one friend or family member.

      Magic Makers
      Show your group
   3. 6
      Learn the double lift

      Turn over the top two cards as if they were one, smoothly, without looking at your hands.

      Jay AnoinInstructables
   4. 7
      Use the double lift

      A trick where the card on top changes when you snap your fingers.

      Conjuror Community
   5. 8
      Start the Ambitious Card

      The spectator's card pushed into the middle, rising back to the top, twice.

      Conjuror Community
   6. 9
      Learn the French drop

      Make a coin vanish from your hand using the French drop.

      University of the Conjuring ArtsThe Art of Manliness
   7. 10
      Build a coin routine

      A coin that vanishes and reappears from behind someone's ear.

      Conjuror Community
      Show your group
   8. 11
      Write your patter

      A few lines to say during each of your three best tricks.

      Magic Makers
   9. 12
      The full Ambitious Card

      A three-phase Ambitious Card routine with a strong ending.

      Mind Blown Magic IllusionGoodTricks
   10. 13
       Build your set

       Three tricks in an order, with a way to get from one to the next.

       Magic Makers
   11. 14
       Film a rehearsal

       A full video of your set, watched back and fixed.

       Vanishing Inc.
   12. 15
       Perform your set

       Your three-trick set performed live for a group of three or more people.

       Conjuror Community
       Show your group
2. Level 2Unlocks after Level 1

   Sleight of Hand

   Passes, palms and a full routine

3. Level 3Unlocks after Level 2

   Close-Up Show

   A 10-minute show for a room

Where it ends: a routine you can perform anywhere

Free lessons in First Tricks come from Complete Deception, Vanishing Inc., Ash Marlow, Conjuror Community, OTHMARIUS MAGIC, Alex Pandrea, Magic Makers, Jay Anoin, Instructables, GoodTricks, University of the Conjuring Arts, The Art of Manliness, Mind Blown Magic Illusion, MagicRef. We link to their work and never copy it.