How to Perform the Changing Ace Card Trick

The Changing Ace card trick is as simple as it gets, but it still works. The gist of this trick is that one ace appears to have magically turned into another ace. Anyone can perform this trick with very little practice.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Deck of cards
• Scotch tape
• Scissors

Prepare for the Trick

1. Take out four cards from the deck. You'll need two aces, but the other two cards can be of any suit and value.

2. Arrange three cards as if you were holding them in one hand, with one ace in the middle flanked by two other cards. The other ace is unused for the moment.

3. Draw a line on the ace you've flanked with two other cards. Draw the line down the right, outer edge of the card.

4. Cut the ace down the line, making sure the line is not visible on the cut piece. Only the "A" in the top-left corner of the ace should be visible on the cut piece.

5. Cut 3/4 centimeters off the bottom of the cut piece.

6. Tape the cut piece to the front of one of the non-ace cards you are using in the trick like a flap. This is the card to the left of the ace in the second step. The piece should be positioned to mimic the position of the ace in second step.

Perform the Trick

7. Slide the second ace under the taped-down ace flap and arrange the cards in your hand so that the altered card looks natural.

8. Show your audience the cards fanned out in your hand. Tell everyone which cards you have in your hand, because they will not be able to see the suit of the ace.

9. Turn the cards over in your hand.

10. Take the middle card (the second ace) out of your hand without showing the card to the audience.

11. Ask your audience to tell you which card you selected. They will think it was the first ace.

12. Reveal the card you took out of your hand to be the second ace. It will look to the audience as if the aces were changing before their eyes.

Tips & Warnings

• The easiest way to tape the cut ace piece to the other card is to put a small piece of tape on the back along the edge and bend the excess backwards. That way, the tape is not seen when you perform the trick.
• Be careful not to reveal the card you taped when you reveal the changing ace. You should either cover that flap with the other card in your hand or discard those cards all together.