Card tricks have been a staple of magic shows for decades, and one of the most impressive is the flying card trick. This trick involves making a playing card levitate and fly through the air, seemingly on its own. But how is this illusion created? Let's take a closer look.
The Set-Up
Before the trick begins, the magician will typically set up a small table or platform in front of the audience. This table may be covered in a cloth or other decorative covering to make it look more impressive.
On the table, the magician will place a deck of cards and a small object that will be used to create the illusion of the card flying. This object could be a piece of invisible thread, a magnet, or some other type of gimmick.
The Trick
Once the set-up is complete, the magician will begin the trick by selecting a card from the deck. They will often ask a member of the audience to sign or otherwise mark the card to make it more memorable.
The magician will then hold the marked card in their hand and wave it over the small object on the table. As they do this, they will use sleight of hand to secretly attach the card to the object. This could involve sticking a small piece of tape to the back of the card, or using a hidden magnet to hold it in place.
Once the card is securely attached to the object, the magician will make it appear as if the card is floating in mid-air. They may wave their hand over the card, or make a mystical gesture to make it seem as if they are controlling the card with their mind.
The Reveal
Finally, the magician will reveal the secret behind the trick. They will often ask the member of the audience who marked the card to come up and inspect it, showing that it is indeed attached to the small object on the table.
The reveal is often the most impressive part of the trick, as the audience is left wondering how the magician was able to create the illusion of a flying card out of thin air.
Conclusion
The flying card trick is a classic of magic shows, and while it may seem like pure magic, it is actually the result of careful planning and sleight of hand. By using a small object and some clever attachments, magicians are able to make playing cards appear to fly through the air, leaving audiences amazed and wondering how they did it.
