Learn magic tricks

People who set out to learn magic tricks usually assume the hard part is the secret. It rarely is. Most beginner tricks are self-working, meaning the method does itself if you follow the steps, and what separates a trick that fools people from one that does not is entirely presentation.

Why learn magic tricks is worth an hour

Magic exploits attention rather than speed. An audience follows where you look and what you talk about, which is why misdirection is a social skill rather than a manual one. Starting with self-working tricks frees all your attention for that half, and it is the half that beginners neglect while practicing sleight of hand nobody was watching anyway.

How to learn magic tricks step by step

1. 1

   Start with a self-working trick

   The method runs on its own. That frees your entire attention for presentation, which is the part that matters.

2. 2

   Learn the method until it is invisible

   You should be able to do it while holding a conversation. Any visible concentration gives the whole thing away.

3. 3

   Write the patter

   What you say is not filler; it directs attention and provides the story. Silent tricks look like puzzles.

4. 4

   Practice in a mirror, then on camera

   The mirror shows the angles; the camera shows what an audience actually sees, which differs more than you expect.

5. 5

   Perform it for one friendly person

   Performing changes everything about the timing. One real audience teaches more than an hour of solo practice.

Tips to get more out of it

• Never repeat a trick for the same audience. The second viewing is when people work it out.
• Never reveal the method, however hard they push. The secret is worth less than the effect and cannot be un-told.
• Learn two or three tricks properly rather than twenty badly. Depth is what makes it look effortless.

Ways to mix it up

If card handling appeals, learning a single clean shuffle control opens up a large repertoire. If you want something you can do anywhere, learn a trick using borrowed everyday objects, which is far more impressive than one requiring a special deck.

Learn magic tricks: frequently asked questions