Card tricks – magic or skills?
Tricks with cards are entirely separate class of magic.
In fact, when researching the history of card tricks, you will find that card tricks magic were among the first illusions to make its way to the limelight. There are some magicians who specialize in card tricks only. This applies to some degree to everyone, because when you start doing card tricks, you acquire in fact a manipulative ability. As with any magic trick, things always start with the magician. Shuffling, dealing and cutting a pack of cards demands skill of a sort. When you run through the face-up pack while looking for cards needed for next trick, spread the pack or inviting someone to “take a card” you actually acquire further facility. Later you may find fancy flourishes and cuts, and if you do, you will be on the road to becoming a card expert almost before you realize it.
There are many tricks involved in the discovery of cards selected by spectators. These depends upon a variety of methods but basically, there are three ways of discovering a card chosen by audience.
First is “forcing” it on the spectator, so that you know the card beforehand and can name it, predict it, or produce a duplicate from some unexpected place.
Second way is to “locate” the card by its position in the pack, so you can find it simply by looking through the pack or while dealing them.
The third way is to “control” the chosen card, by cuts, shuffles and other manipulations that enable you to reveal it at any time.
Each way has its own variations depending on different skill degrees. So, by switching from one method to another, you can leave your audiences extremely nonplussed. You will be further aided by special devices which enables you to apparently transform one card into another. Such devices can be added to your pack, helping to perform remarkable tricks that would be impossible with an ordinary pack alone.
All this will add to your growing reputation as a card master while simplifying your work. By using some of the more elaborate effects and practicing you can soon round out a program of card magic that will stand as a complete act itself.
So go ahead and practice your card tricks and show off to your friends what you have learned!
