Card manipulation

Card trick. Upper left: "Pick a card, any card". Upper right: Back-palming a card. Bottom left: A "spring" flourish. Bottom right: Mixing the cards allows for card trick preparation.

Card manipulation, commonly known as card magic, is the branch of magic that deals with creating effects using sleight of hand techniques involving playing cards. Card manipulation is often used in magical performances, especially in close-up, parlor, and street magic. Some of the most recognized names in this field include Dai Vernon,[1] Tony Slydini,[2] Ed Marlo, S.W. Erdnase, Richard Turner, John Scarne, Ricky Jay[3] and René Lavand.[4][5] Before becoming world-famous for his escapes, Houdini billed himself as "The King of Cards".[6] Among the more well-known card tricks relying on card manipulation are Ambitious Card, and Three-card Monte, a common street hustle also known as Find the Lady.

  1. ^ Ganson, Lewis. The Dai Vernon Book of Magic, L&L Publishing, First edition, 1994.
  2. ^ Ganson, Lewis. The Magic of Slydini, Harry Stanley; First edition, 1960, pp. 2-5.
  3. ^ Singer, Mark (5 April 1993) Ricky Jay: Secrets of the Magus The New Yorker (5 April 1993) "Ricky Jay ... is perhaps the most gifted sleight-of-hand artist alive"
  4. ^ "Hall of Fame". magiccastle.com. Academy of Magical Arts. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  5. ^ The Great Pretender
  6. ^ Kalush & Sloman 2006, p. 42.