When it comes to magic tricks, there are few as classic and impressive as the card in envelope trick. This trick has been performed by countless magicians over the years and continues to amaze and astound audiences to this day. In this article, we'll take a closer look at how this trick works and how you can perform it yourself.
What You'll Need
Before we dive into the specifics of the trick, let's first go over what you'll need to perform it:
- A deck of playing cards
- Two identical envelopes
- A pen or marker
- A table or flat surface to perform on
Preparation
Once you have your materials, it's time to prepare for the trick. Here's what you'll need to do:
- Take one of the envelopes and seal it shut.
- On the front of the envelope, write the word "Prediction" in bold letters.
- Take the other envelope and place it aside for now.
- From the deck of cards, have your spectator select one card.
- Show the card to the audience and then place it face down on the table.
The Trick
Now that you're prepared, it's time to perform the trick. Here's what you'll need to do:
- Pick up the deck of cards and have your spectator return their card to the deck.
- Shuffle the deck thoroughly.
- Take out the card that you previously laid face down on the table and place it into the second envelope.
- Seal the envelope shut.
- Hold the two envelopes in front of you and ask your spectator to select one.
- Once they've made their choice, take the envelope they didn't choose and set it aside.
- Ask your spectator to open the envelope they chose and remove the card inside.
- Have them turn the card over and reveal it to the audience.
- The card they selected should match the card you placed in the second envelope!
How It Works
So, how does this trick work? The secret lies in the preparation. When you first prepared the envelopes, you wrote "Prediction" on one of them. This sets up the expectation that the envelope will contain a prediction of some sort.
When your spectator selects a card and you shuffle the deck, you have the opportunity to peek at the bottom card and remember it. You then take this card and place it into the second envelope, which you've kept hidden from the audience.
When your spectator selects an envelope, you simply give them the one without the prediction on it. When they open it up and reveal their card, it appears to be a random selection.
However, when you reveal the card in the second envelope, it matches the one they selected, leaving your audience amazed and wondering how you did it.
Conclusion
The card in envelope trick is a classic magic trick that never fails to impress. With a little bit of preparation and practice, you can perform this trick for your friends and family and leave them amazed. Just remember to keep the secret to yourself!
