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Prestidigitation, or sleight of hand, is a type of magic trick or illusion using quick hand movements and various objects. One of the most common subsets of these tricks is to make objects seem to "disappear." Playing cards are a popular object to target due to their ubiquity and ease of manipulation. Less scrupulous individuals may even use such tricks to cheat at card games. [1] X Research source
Steps
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Hold the card with one hand. Pinch it between your thumb on one side (either the face or back) and your middle and ring fingers (your "inner fingers") together on the opposite (either the face or back). [2] X Research source
- This trick will be much easier to perform with your dominant hand. However, with practice, you may be able to use your non-dominant hand instead.
- This trick will not work if your audience is on all sides. You need to make sure the back of your hand can be obscured.
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Grip the long sides of the card with your index finger and pinky (your "outer fingers"). Try to grip the card using only the sides of your fingers as tight as you can. Bend the card into a slight arc that is convex in relation to your fingers. Simultaneously, curl your inner fingers by retracting them behind the card. The sections of your inner fingers between your first and second knuckles should be roughly parallel to the card. [3] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Uncurl your inner fingers to make the card "disappear." Straightening your fingers while maintaining your grip will bring the card to the back of your hand. Show your open palm to your audience, but be sure to keep your ring, middle, and index fingers held close together. [4] X Research source
- It will take some practice to make it so the edges of the card do not show through at all. Try to only let the card get halfway down the crevices of your fingers.
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Make the card reappear. Now that your card has "disappeared," you can even more easily appear to conjure it from thin air. Simply curl your middle fingers forward again and pinch it between your thumb and index finger. [5] X Research source
- Run through these steps as quickly as you can. The faster you move, the more convincing your sleight of hand will be.
- Once you've gotten the hang of doing this basic trick, try adding movements with your wrists. This will work to misdirect your audience and disguise your moves.
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Gather your materials. In addition to a playing card, you will need a translucent tumbler-style cup, transparent celluloid, and an opaque handkerchief or a bandana.
- Bend the card in half and make sure it is well-creased. Using a face card will disguise the crease. Unbend the card before you begin the trick.
- The cup must be wide enough that an unfolded card can be pushed into it while narrow enough that the card must be forced. The glass must also taper towards the bottom. A tumbler that is highly decorated, such as with designs or ridges, will make the trick easier to pull off but is not absolutely necessary.
- Cut the celluloid into the exact dimensions of the playing card you are using.
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Begin the trick by holding the now seemingly unbent card in your hand with the celluloid perfectly lined up behind it. Grip the card with your thumb on the bottom and your index finger at its top, bending it slightly to keep the celluloid in place. Make absolutely sure the celluloid is not visible to your audience.
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Ask for a volunteer from the audience. Tell your new assistant to call out the name of the card. Request that the volunteer hold the tumbler under the card.
- You may also ask your assistant to borrow the handkerchief you need. However, this may backfire if the volunteer offers you a translucent one. If the handkerchief is too clear, your audience may see how the trick is performed.
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Throw the handkerchief to cover both the hand holding the card and the tumbler your assistant is holding underneath. Appear to take hold of the card through the handkerchief with the hand you used to cover the card. In reality, quickly fold the card in half and palm it using the hand that originally held it. Place the card into an easy-to-reach pocket for later. Leave the celluloid in its place under the handkerchief.
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Ask your assistant to hold onto the "card" in the handkerchief. Being the exact size of the card, the celluloid will create an outline giving the impression that the card is still there. The cloth barrier will make the celluloid feel indistinguishable from a playing card to your assistant. Ask your assistant to tell the audience if he or she is holding the playing card seen earlier.
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Instruct your assistant to push the "card" into the tumbler. Both the celluloid and the tumbler should still be covered by the handkerchief. Tell your assistant and the audience that you will now cause the card to vanish from the cup.
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Take the tumbler back from your assistant. Grip the cup from the bottom and flip it over. Remove the handkerchief in plain view of your assistant and the audience. Turn the glass around to show the audience that the card is not inside..
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Produce the card from your pocket. This may be as simple as simply turning out your pockets, as the audience will wonder how it was able to get there. You may also choose to add some dramatic flourishes, misdirecting the audience away from your pocket. While they are focused on one of your hands, use the other to grab the card. Discreetly introduce your card into the "action" to make it seem to appear from nowhere.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I do this with a coin?David Martinez is a Magician based in San Jose, CA. David has over 20 years of experience and has performed throughout Northern California at weddings, private parties, team-building events, and more. He has notably performed for some of the biggest companies in the world, including Apple, Google, Facebook, and Uber. David previously served as President of the Silicon Valley Chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and has received awards for Close-Up, Walk-Around, and Stage performances. In 2023, he co-authored Amaze and Delight: Secrets to Creating Magic in Business, aimed at helping individuals and organizations nurture healthy and happy business cultures.To perform the coin-disappearing trick, follow these steps. First, hold the coin in your dominant hand between your thumb and first two fingers, keeping it concealed from view. Then, using your other hand, distract the audience by gesturing or making a magical incantation. As their attention shifts, discreetly transfer the coin to your palm, concealing it with your fingers. Next, slowly close your fingers into a fist, making it seem as though the coin is still there. With a flourish, open your hand to reveal that the coin has vanished into thin air. To enhance the illusion, practice smooth and subtle movements for a few hours to maintain the audience's focus on your actions.
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QuestionDoes the audience see you fold the card?Venice RaeCommunity AnswerIt depends on how you distract your audience. It's easier to do this trick with only one or two spectators, because they will be distracted as they take the handkerchief.
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QuestionWhat if my hands are very small?TheArtOfSarcasmCommunity AnswerYou may need to find cards that fit your needs. Try browsing for smaller cards that are sized down enough for you.
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Tips
- Unless you are already a well-practice magician, you will not be able to do these tricks convincingly on your first try. Practice them multiple times until you have memorized the steps and can perform them quickly.Thanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about magic tricks, check out our in-depth interview with David Martinez .
References
About This Article
Article Summary
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To make a card disappear, use your dominant hand and pinch the card between your thumb and your middle and ring finger, or inner fingers. Then, use your index and pinky fingers to grip the long sides of the card as tight as you can. Bend the card into a slight arc and curl your inner fingers by retracting them behind the card. Next, uncurl your inner fingers to hide the card from sight and then straighten all of your fingers so the card is brought to the back of your hand. For more ways to make a card disappear, like how to make a card vanish using a cup, keep scrolling!
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