How to Flick a Card

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Want to send a card flying in the air? It will take a little bit of practice, but flicking a card is a fairly easy parlor trick once you’ve got the mechanics down. This is a great way to end a card trick with panache, play up your dark and mysterious energy, or simply pass the time. In this article, we’ll break down what you’ll need to do to flick a card.

1

Grip the deck with three fingers.

PDF download Download Article
  1. and your middle finger on the short side between them. You're now holding the deck with the sides of your finger, between the first and second knuckles. Keep your palm and pinky finger off of the deck.
    2. Advertisement
2

Place your thumb on top of the deck.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Press the tip against the deck with moderate pressure. Some magicians keep the thumb near the middle of this space, while others pull it back to the corner near the ring finger. [1]
3

Flick the top card with your thumb.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Flick your thumb off the card as it moves. This motion should pivot the card around your index finger and send it flying and spinning.
    • Make sure your thumb is moving along a curve. If you flick it straight, the card may flick the wrong direction or fail to flick.
    2. Advertisement
4

Practice until the move is consistent.

PDF download Download Article
  1. It can take some time to figure out exactly how this motion works. Experiment with the following until you can get it every time:
    • Your thumb and the grip of your fingers should apply moderate pressure. Adjust if the card keeps slipping, or buckles too far to move easily.
    • Speed up the movement of your thumb for better results.
    • Rotate your wrist as you flick for additional force.
5

Catch the card.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Catching the card can actually be more difficult than flicking it, in terms of how much practice it takes. Once you can flick consistently in the same direction, try to catch it with your other hand. It may help to watch the card as it leaves your hand, and follow it with your eyes. [2]
    • If you're not confident you can catch it, flick the card directly at a spectator instead when you perform. This won't derail the act in the same way dropping the card could.
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Flicking a card isn't much of a trick by itself. This excels when you use it to reveal a card as part of a larger card trick.
        Thanks
        Helpful 6 Not Helpful 6
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Throw Playing Cards
      7 Easy Card Magic Tricks You Can Master in Minutes
      How to
      Shuffle a Deck of Cards
      A Beginner’s Guide to Card Counting
      How Many Lands Should an MTG Commander Deck Have?
      How to
      Add Daily Tarot Spreads to Your Tarot Practice: 13 Daily Tarot Readings
      How to
      Throw Cards Accurately
      How to
      Shuffle Tarot Cards (Shuffling for the Best Energy)
      How to
      Fan Cards
      How to
      Cut a Deck of Cards With One Hand
      How to
      Do the Waterfall Card Flourish
      How to
      Perform a Spread With Cards
      How to
      Memorize a Deck of Cards
      How to
      Flourish Cards
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USeo3_YhupY
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bONBF-6CdEk
      3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7zvXibGxNw

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 130,097 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement