My Uncles Card Trick (aka 21 card trick)

These must be the instructions everyone follows when they interrupt your performance to show the 21 card trick

My Uncles Card Trick

Patter: awkward Silence.


Step 1: Shuffle the cards aggressively. The more you bend the cards, the better the trick will work.

Step 2: Immediately forget what you’re supposed to do. Repeat step 1.

Step 3: Deal the cards in three rows of seven. If possible, deal into a puddle of liquid on the table- this makes the trick seem more impossible.

Step 4: Instruct them to pick a card. After they blurt it out, instruct them to pick another and not say it. Give these instructions as confusing as possible (this is what magicians mean by “misdirection”)

Step 5: Place remainder of deck in puddle on table.

Step 7: Forget what to do again.

Step 8: Ask which row their card is in and pick up the cards in that certain order. Make the pick up slow, deliberate, and obvious.

Step 9: Deal the cards out again. Take your time- there’s no reason to rush, it’s your time to shine.

Step 10: Repeat step 8

Step 11: Remember that you forgot step 6, but continue anyway.

Step 12: Repeat steps 3 and 8 again. If you find a weird card (one with two faces, two backs, or anything else fishy) bring everyones attention to it.

Step 13: Blurt out their card when the spectators don’t expect it. No need for drama or suspense, it’s best if you use the element of surprise here.

Step 14: Immediately after conclusion, expose the entire effect- even if they pretend like they aren’t interested. Hand the deck back to the magician even though no one realizes the trick is over.