How to Use the Cross Cut Force in Magic

Magic is the art of illusion and misdirection. Many magicians use card tricks to amaze an audience. One of the most used card tricks is the cross cut force. A force is a trick where the magician manipulates the cards to force an outcome.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Deck of cards
• Participant

1. Shuffle the deck and glance at the bottom or top card in the deck. There are two different way to perform the cross cut--use the top card or use the bottom card.

2. Predict the card. Write the name of the card on a piece of paper, choose an identical card from another deck or wait until the end of the forced trick and then predict the card before turning over. If you write the card's name down or choose a card from another deck, have someone else hold it or place it far enough away from you so you cannot change it.

3. Ask the participant to cut the deck of cards into 2 separate piles. Watch and remember which pile is which.

4. Inform the participant that you are marking the spot where they cut the deck. Lift the bottom half of the deck and place it across the cut pile. Distract the participant at this point with a description of what has happened so far. Look the participant in the eye to keep him from watching you force the cross cut card trick.

5. Reveal your prediction of what the card will be.

6. Lift the top pile of cards. If you predicted the top card, ask the participant to look at the top card of the bottom half of the deck. If you predicted the bottom card, ask the participant to lift the cut deck and look at the bottom card.