Card manipulation
Encyclopedia
Card magic is the branch of conjuring that deals with creating magical effects using a deck of playing card
s. Card magic is commonplace in magical performances, especially in close up magic or parlor magic
and street magic
. Some of the most recognized names in this field include John Scarne
, Juan Tamariz
, and Allan Ackerman
. Before becoming world famous for his escapes, Houdini billed himself as "The King of Cards".
Playing cards became popular with magicians in the last century or so as they were props which were inexpensive, versatile, and easily available. Although magicians have created and presented myriad illusions with cards (sometimes referred to as card tricks), most of these illusions are generally considered to be built upon perhaps one hundred or so basic principles and techniques. Presentation and context (including patter
, the conjurer's misleading account of what he is doing) account for many of the variations.
Card magic, in one form or another, likely dates from the time playing cards became commonly known, towards the second half of the fourteenth century, but its history in this period is largely undocumented. Compared to sleight of hand
magic in general and to cups and balls
, it is a relatively new form of magic. However, due to its versatility as a prop it has become very popular amongst modern magicians.
created the following effect, later modified by Michael Ammar and performed on television: Without any conspicuous magical moves, he inserts the four aces into different parts of the deck. He then proceeds to shuffle the cards face-up into face-down multiple times. At the end he finds the aces from within the shuffled deck and straightens out the face up and face down deck of cards. As a kicker ending, the magician reveals that he has not only found the four aces, but also the four royal flushes (in the four suits).
Playing card
A playing card is a piece of specially prepared heavy paper, thin cardboard, plastic-coated paper, cotton-paper blend, or thin plastic, marked with distinguishing motifs and used as one of a set for playing card games...
s. Card magic is commonplace in magical performances, especially in close up magic or parlor magic
Parlor magic
Parlor magic is done for larger audiences than close-up magic and for smaller audiences than stage magic. In parlor magic, the performer is usually standing and on the same level as the audience, which may be seated on chairs or even on the floor. According to the Encyclopedia of Magic and...
and street magic
Street magic
Street magic falls into two genres; traditional street performance and guerrilla magic.- Traditional street performance :The first definition of street magic refers to a traditional form of magic performance - that of busking. In this, the magician draws an audience from passers by and performs an...
. Some of the most recognized names in this field include John Scarne
John Scarne
John Scarne was an American magician and book author who was particularly adept at playing card manipulation. He became known as an expert on cards and other games, and authored a number of popular books on cards, gambling, and related topics.-Early life:...
, Juan Tamariz
Juan Tamariz
Juan Tamariz-Martel Negrón is a Spanish magician.He is an experienced cardician, a magician specializing in magic with playing cards, and well respected by his peers as an authority in the field of misdirection...
, and Allan Ackerman
Allan Ackerman
Allan Ackerman is an American magician who specializes in sleight of hand magic with playing cards. He has written a series of books, and performed on several instructional DVDs that teach elementary sleight of hand all the way up through advanced card work...
. Before becoming world famous for his escapes, Houdini billed himself as "The King of Cards".
Playing cards became popular with magicians in the last century or so as they were props which were inexpensive, versatile, and easily available. Although magicians have created and presented myriad illusions with cards (sometimes referred to as card tricks), most of these illusions are generally considered to be built upon perhaps one hundred or so basic principles and techniques. Presentation and context (including patter
Patter
Patter is a prepared and practiced speech, that is designed to produce a desired response from its audience. Examples of occupations with a patter might include the: auctioneer, salesperson, dance caller, or comedian....
, the conjurer's misleading account of what he is doing) account for many of the variations.
Card magic, in one form or another, likely dates from the time playing cards became commonly known, towards the second half of the fourteenth century, but its history in this period is largely undocumented. Compared to sleight of hand
Sleight of hand
Sleight of hand, also known as prestidigitation or legerdemain, is the set of techniques used by a magician to manipulate objects such as cards and coins secretly....
magic in general and to cups and balls
Cups and balls
The cups and balls is a classic performance of magic with innumerable adaptations. The effect known as acetabula et calculi was performed by Roman conjurers as far back as two thousand years ago...
, it is a relatively new form of magic. However, due to its versatility as a prop it has become very popular amongst modern magicians.
Example
As an example of an elaborate card trick, Derek DingleDerek Dingle
Derek Dingle was an English close-up magician.- Life :Like many magicians before him, Dingle became interested in magic after receiving a box of magic tricks when he was about eight years old. Upon joining the Royal Air Force, he met another magician, James Gregory, of Kenilworth, England, and...
created the following effect, later modified by Michael Ammar and performed on television: Without any conspicuous magical moves, he inserts the four aces into different parts of the deck. He then proceeds to shuffle the cards face-up into face-down multiple times. At the end he finds the aces from within the shuffled deck and straightens out the face up and face down deck of cards. As a kicker ending, the magician reveals that he has not only found the four aces, but also the four royal flushes (in the four suits).
See also
- Card markingCard markingCard marking is the process of altering playing cards such that the suit, rank or both are only apparent to the person marking the cards , usually for the purpose of cheating at cards by card sharps. To be effective, the distinguishing mark or marks must be done on the obverse side, which are...
- Sleight of handSleight of handSleight of hand, also known as prestidigitation or legerdemain, is the set of techniques used by a magician to manipulate objects such as cards and coins secretly....
- Trick deckTrick deckA trick deck usually refers to a deck of playing cards which has been altered in some way to allow magicians to perform certain card tricks where sleight of hand would be too difficult or too impractical...
- Card flourish
- Card throwingCard throwingCard throwing is the art of throwing standard playing cards. First popularized in the West among stage magicians, the art of throwing cards was called scaling. In 1997, a segment on MTV News:Unfiltered, featuring Jon W and the Fellas from Denver, Pennsylvania, introduced card throwing to a new...
- Card sharpCard sharpA card sharp is a person who uses skill and deception to win at poker or other card games...
External links
- The Royal Road to Card Magic, the definitive text on Card Magic
- Trick Decks Types of Trick Decks
- Magic with Cards Photo Feature, Havana Times, June 22, 2010
- Books on Magic with Cards Photo Feature, The Card Magic of Card Magician; Paul Gordon, Dec 22, 2010
- http://www.casinowinneronline.com/card-tricks.htm - Basic Card Tricks
- Card Magic Tricks - learn card tricks with these tutorials