How to Use Distraction in Card Tricks

While a good card trick takes skill, most of the illusions is actually finding the right distraction to keep your audience's eyes directed away from you. Distractions can be as complex as a magical box or as easy as a whistle.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Direct your audience's attention to where they think the card trick is taking place while you manipulate the actual trick under cover, or inside a sleeve. Large hand motions away from the actual action are a good distraction.
2. Write a script. The words, or as magicians call it "patter," is sometimes the most important part of the card trick. There's nothing like a rambling magician to distract an audience. Have the entire audience chant magical words for you.
3. Add extra noises that confuse the audience and distract them from the actual trick. Toot an oversize horn or have an assistant bang a gong. The louder the noise the better. Request the audience members to count aloud with the assistant.
4. Use a prop in one hand to distract the audience while the real action is happening in the other. A handkerchief, scarf, hat or even a different card, works for sleight of hand manipulations.
5. Ask an audience member to help you. Extra people onstage provide a distraction for the audience. Choose people who are wearing loud clothing, unusual attire or have an exaggerated characteristic that catches attention. Ask the participants to dance, hop or spin while you perform the trick.
6. Practice in front of a mirror. Fine tune your technique for distractions. Then ask someone to watch. See if they can ignore the distraction and spot the trick.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep card tricks easy until you get better at distraction. As your distraction skills improve, you can find more complex card tricks to perform.