How to Perform an Impossible Card Trick

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Do you want to amaze your friends? Looking to take your card trick repertoire to the next level? If so, this is the trick for you! This “impossible” card trick is actually pretty simple. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be wowing audiences in no time. Read on to learn everything you’ll need to perform this trick.

1

Shuffle and check the bottom card.

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    Remember this card since you are going to "force" this card on your spectator.
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2

Hold the deck down.

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    Hold the deck face down and secretly move the bottom card a little bit to the left or right.
3

Set a card on the ground.

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    The spectator will think you're taking the bottom card. Bring back all the cards together.
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4

Ask the spectator to stop you.

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    When they choose to stop, show the spectator the bottom card (the card you remembered) and tell them to remember this card.
5

Cut the deck.

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    Give it to the spectator to shuffle and/or cut. When he/she hands you back the deck, look for their card. When you find their card, count 4 cards back, not including their card, and put the remaining cards on top of the deck. (for example, their card is the 7th from the bottom. Count 4 cards from it, you'll end up on the 3rd card. Place the 1st and 2nd cards on top of the deck.)
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6

Show them a false card.

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    Show them the bottom card and ask them if that is their card. They will reply no and place it on the floor.
7

Repeat the false card move again.

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    Form a square with the cards. Put the 1st card on the upper left corner, 2nd on the upper right and 3rd on the lower left.
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8

Flip a 4th card over.

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    Take the card on top of it, which is their chosen card, and place it on the lower right corner.
9

Cut or shuffle the deck.

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    Cut/shuffle the deck so that they don't see the bottom card.
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10

Have the audience choose 2 cards.

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    If the chosen card is included in the cards they pointed at, take the other 2 and put it back in the deck otherwise take the 2 pointed cards and put it in the deck.
11

Ask them to choose a card.

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    If they point the chosen card, place the other card in the deck or if he/she choose the other card, put it in the deck.
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12

Reveal the chosen card.

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    Make a bit of a show out of it when you reveal the card they chose.

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What happens if they find its fake?
    Community Answer
    A lot of the time you can make up several excuses. The most commonly used one is that there are two of each card in the deck. This one is easy because they cannot count the cards. If they still think it's fake, pull half the cards out.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 22
  • Question
    How do you force a card?
    Koalakai
    Community Answer
    Forcing a card is tricky, and can take lots of practice. Forcing a card involves three different operations. First you cut the deck in half and show the card, but instead of placing the bottom half on top, use your thumb to have a little space between the chosen card and the false card. Take one quarter of the other half and place it on top of the other half, and now their card is on top. Then you can say, "We're going to mix it up with a riffle shuffle". A riffle shuffle is really easy, and you just need to riffle the cards and make sure the top card is still on top, as you can see where the card is going. Finish it with an overhand shuffle and peel from the middle.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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