The circus magic card trick got its start as a con game.

When you’re trying to impress your friends with a magic card trick or working on your magic show, you will want to come up with a unique card trick that will rattle your audience and leave them smiling. The circus magic card trick is a variation of the traditional pick-a-card magic trick and is sure to entertain!

 

How the Trick was Named

 

Many years ago, having the circus come to town was a big deal and would draw crowds from all over and from all walks of life. There would be elephants, acrobats, bearded ladies and strong men.

 

There were also games that included wagers. The problem was that all the games were rigged, designed so that the players would always lose to the person running the game. These con games included the ball-and-cone game where a small ball is placed under one of three cones, which are then shuffled, then the player must pick the cone that is hiding the ball. The circus magic card trick got its start as a con game at a side-show circus.

Pick a Card

 

This trick is a pick-a-card trick. Fan out the cards and allow a participant to pick a card, any card.

 

While they’re not paying attention to what you are doing, take a peek at the bottom card of the deck. You can do this magic trick several ways. You might turn your back to the participant so you can’t see his card and glance at the bottom card. You might look at the bottom card while squaring up the deck after the card is chosen. You might even just take a look when cutting the deck. Whatever way you chose, all you need to know is the bottom card.

 

Next, you’ll cut the deck and have the participant place his or her card in the middle of the deck, burying it by finishing the cut. The bottom card you are remembering is now on top of the participant’s chosen card.

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Now for the Fun

 

Here’s where the trick gets tricky. But it’s tricky only for the participant as you first ask the participant to watch the cards while you deal them out one at a time. Tell him not to say anything if he sees his card. You’re going to find it for him.

 

Begin dealing out the cards face up so that the participant can see them. Remember that you’re looking for the card that used to be on the bottom of the deck. Once you’ve found this card, you know that the next card will be the one the participant chose. Deal it out as you have the rest and continue to deal past that card.

 

Your participant now believes you’ve passed his card. Maybe you messed up the trick.

 

Then begin to pick up the next card in the deck and tell your audience that you bet them that the very next card you turn over will be theirs. Seeing that you are holding a card in your hand – and that you’ve already passed their card – the participant will likely take that bet. When he does, put the card you’re holding back on the deck. Go to the participant’s card and turn it over. You have won the bet. The next card you turned over was his.

 

During the time of the side-show circus, the acts would win all kinds of bets all day performing this trick. You don’t have to bet your participant actual money, but you can be sure you will get the same shocked reaction from your audience every time you perform this trick.