Magicbox

Card tricks are the impression of magical feats being performed by using only a selection or whole of a standard 52 card deck of playing cards. This kind of magic whilst simple in it’s components requires the skill only brought about by huge amounts of practice and a natural willingness to entertain. Card tricks are very popular amongst street performers and also in up close magic where the performer is very close to his/her audience.

There are assumed to be around a hundred basic principles of card tricks but many other factors are taken into account such as the verse that a magician uses whilst he is performing the tricks to throw off the spectators. It is the presentation of the trick that will make the difference between an average card trick and a breathtaking performance.

A lack of documentation throughout the 1300’s leaves us to be unsure exactly when card magic was created. One thing we can be sure is that it probably originated around the time of the introduction of the playing card itself. In comparison to cups and balls and sleight of hand magic it is relatively new. Each country and culture puts it’s own variation or permutation on magic and card tricks. They take something new and add it with some technique passed down and that is one of the greatest powers of magic: it’s ability to cross boundaries, borders and religions with it’s entertainment power.

A “card fan” is a means of displaying the cards in the shape of a fan. There is a powder known as “fanning powder” which makes the lifespan of the cards longer and also to ensure a smooth even surface on each and every card in the pack wherever possible.

One interesting thing regarding card tricks are the cards themselves in that they are usually made with tiny insertions in the cards that allow air to pass through them. They provide a similar effect to that of a golf ball in that it allows air to provide a cushion to allow the cards to pass easily. The lifetime of a card deck is usually based on these air holes keeping clear. They can be filled with grease and other natural oils transferred from  magicians hands and the lifetime can be increased by the use of “fanning powder”.

One thing is for certain is that card tricks will be around for hundreds of years more and as audiences are continually amazed at these tricks they should provide a basis for any budding magician to try their hand at card tricks at whatever age they become first interested.