How to Control a Card for Magic Tricks

Once you master locating a card with a break, you're ready for more complicated maneuvers. It is important, though, to keep track of your card in the deck. The best way to do this is through card control. With these tricks, you can move a card to the top or bottom of the deck without revealing your illusion.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Have a participant choose a card and use a break, such as the pinky break, so you know where the chosen card is once it returns to the deck. Make sure your break is hidden from any other participants.

2. Perform a simple cut of deck. If your pinky was on top of your card in the break, a cut will bring that card to the top of the deck. If your pinky is underneath your card, you'll move it to the bottom of the deck.

3. Use a double cut from a break to bring a card to the top. Cut the deck twice above your break, then place the remaining cards on top of the cards you cut. This brings your card to the top of the deck.

4. Cut from the bottom of the deck, not quite to the break, to place the cards on top of the deck. Then cut to the break, bringing your card to the top.

5. Transfer the pinky break to your thumb. From here, you can do an overhand shuffle to the break, leaving your card at the top of the deck.

6. Use the overhand shuffle to move a card from the top of the deck to the bottom. To do this, shuffle the single top card to the bottom before shuffling the other cards on top of it.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice doing these card-control maneuvers quickly. The faster you move the card, the more effective your trick will be.