The Worlds Best Card Trick!

You tell your buddy you were reading a book on poker, and ask him if he'd like to see something neat. He, of course, agrees. You tell him that the book you were reading was about the little subconscious tells that we all give off, even though we don't realize it. You hand your buddy a deck of cards and ask him to shuffle it, like he would for a poker game. Then have him spread the cards out randomly on the table, just like a Vegas dealer would shuffle for blackjack. You have your buddy take any card he wishes from the cards spread out all over the table, and have him look at it while you gather up the rest of the deck, and set it on the table in front of him. While you are looking away, you have him replace his card on the top of the deck, and cut the cards a couple times, to bury his card somewhere in the middle, losing it in the deck.

You then have your buddy look you in the eyes, and have him list off the values of the cards, one at a time, slowly, like ace... two... three... all the way to king, while you watch for his subconscious reactions. Once he's finished, you have him list through the suits too. Hearts... Clubs... Spades... Diamonds... you say that you are not sure, you're just learning, but you'll give it a shot. You pick up the deck, and hesitantly take out a single card. You have your buddy tell you what card he is thinking of, you look surprised, and turn over the card, and you've got it, spot on.

First, let me tell you, that when properly presented, the person will believe that you are actually reading subconcious tells from their face, and they will think you have some sort of massive brain power. If only they knew!

This trick is practically self working, all you need to do is follow the simple steps I lay out, and you will get it right every time! I know it looks like a lot of stuff, but try it once, and you'll see it is really very simple.

Step One: Tell them you read something about poker tells in a book or online, and you want to try it out. This is VERY important. You need to establish a little bit of credibility to what you are doing, and you aren't really lying, you're trying out what you read here! Never say the words "Card Trick", and they won't think that's what it is. They'll think you are trying out some crazy poker stuff you just learned. ;-)

Step Two: You hand your buddy a deck of cards, and ask him to shuffle them. They are not prepared or special in any way. You can even borrow his deck of cards.

Step Three: You have him spread the cards out all over the table, really mix them around, like a dealer in Las Vegas.

Step Four:You have him choose any card on the table, any one at all, pick it up, and look at it for a moment, being careful not to show you.

Step Five:You gather up the rest of the cards as he is looking at the one he chose. This step contains the only secret move. As you are squaring up the cards, just look at what the bottom card of the deck is. That's it! Don't make a big deal out of it, all you need is a tiny peek, they won't notice you do it. Remember this card for all you are worth, if you forget it, you're screwed.

Step Six:Set the deck on the table and have your buddy place his card on top, and then cut the cards. Then have him cut them again. As a matter of fact, he can cut them to his heart's content, but 2 or 3 times is usually sufficient.

Step Seven:Make him think you are trying to pick up on his tells. Don't skip this part, this is what makes it look really real! Have your buddy look you in the eyes, and have him count through the values of the cards out loud, from ace to king, slowly, and pretend like you are in deep concentration, watching his face as he does it. Then have him count through the suits, Hearts... Clubs... Spades... Diamonds... while you continue to watch him like a hawk. You have no idea what his card is at this point, but pretend that you do. Say that you're not sure, but you'll take a shot at it.

Step Eight: I hope you remember that card that you peeked at, because now you need to pick up the deck, and spread through it to find that card. Once you find it, look at the card directly to the right of it, the card that is above it as you are looking at the deck. This is the card they are thinking of! Take that card out of the deck, being careful not to let them peek, and set the deck back on the table.

Step Nine: You are home free! Say that you think you might have it, but you are not sure, have them tell you what card they are thinking of, look surprised, and turn it around so they can see that you were absolutely correct.

I know this all sounds complicated, but walk through it once with a deck of cards and a friend, and you will see that it is really quick and easy. Plus, if you do it right all of your friends will think you are some sort of poker genius! Try it!