Card Flourish #1 Charlier Cut

The charlier cut, or in simple terms: an easy one handed cut. is a useful cut which keeps the hands busy and, to the untrained eye looks more difficult than it actually is. You can challenge people to cut a deck with one hand, watch them fail then show off your magic skills.

How to do it: The video with this post should explain it, but in written terms:

1. Hold the deck face down landscape towards you with your hand underneath the cards such that your thumb is towards you, your ring and middle finger are on the farside and your other two fingers at the narrow ends, practice getting into this position quickly.

2. Make sure the cards are being held in the correct way and slightly raised from your palm so that the cards are supported by your fingers (it should feel like the fingers on the narrow side are holding them and your other fingers acting as supports). tilt the deck slightly forward, relieving pressure on the thumb.

3. Use your thumb to push around 50% of the deck upwards and widen the narrow end fingers, such that the top half is being held by the thumb, ring and middle finger and the bottom is resting on the palm.

4. Take your second finger and push the deck upwards, as you push it lift up your thumb so the two deck halves are resting on each other (people have most difficulty with this part, remember to allow the cards to rest in position rather than being strongly controlled by your fingers).

5. keep pushing up with the second finger and the bottom half should raise over the top half, cutting the deck

6. Take your bow


The video is useful, pause at points you find difficult. I have tried to do it as clearly as possible (apologies for the heavy, scary breathing, my nose was quite close to the mic), remember to practice the flourish to perfection before showing to others.

Trick #1 - Four Jacks Rob a Bank

Starting with a bread and butter magic trick, the first trick I ever learnt and possibly one of the most well known tricks. It is also probably one of the easiest tricks to perform and prepare.

What is told: Four jacks rob a bank, they hide at the top of the deck, the first jack jumps out of the deck when a police car comes, this jack keeps watch while the other three jacks hide at the bottom of deck, the police pass and the first jack jumps on the deck three times and the three jacks through the deck and come off the top.

What is shown: Four jacks are clearly shown then placed faced down on a faced down deck, the top jack is taken off the top of the deck and clearly shown. The other three jacks are put to the bottom of the deck, after some magical banter the jacks come off the top of the deck.

What is done: The four jacks are prepared as shown in the image with three jacks on top of each other but spread downwards to see the card heads, three random other cards are hidden beneath the third then the last jack is put behind them, but in view. The cards are shown to the audience appearing to just be four jacks. the cards are squared and placed face down on the pile. The first card is removed from the deck. and shown to the audience, the three random cards are placed on the bottom of the deck, be sure to keep these cards face down and do the movement quite quickly so the audience don't get any ideas. talk the talk then take the three jacks from the top of the deck.

Take your bow.

N.B. After the trick is complete, as long as it isn't set up for a further trick, I recommend you allow your spectators to view the four jacks and the deck as there really isn't anything to hide at the end of the trick.

Any questions don't hesitate and post a comment!

Getting Started

Rule number 1: BUY A DECENT DECK OF CARDS

You may have seen numerous internet people and/or real friends tell you that you need a proper deck of cards, yet you think you are above it and use those half size free cards with picturesque views of the lake district on the back. Throw these away.

I recommend you buy a deck (or two) of bog standard poker style playing cards (I use bicycle playing cards), these are not expensive, check out eBay you can buy good deck for next to nothing and bikes for about two quid a pack, if this is not available there is probably a magic shop or an independent greetings card shop (you know the ones) which sell these or something similar

Why are these cards so much better?

A couple of reasons actually. They have a good few millimeters of border which help for concealing double lifts and hidden, reversed cards. They have a nice feel and slide which is good for flourishes and for maneuvers you don't want the audience seeing. They are a good, holdable size, not a bit too small or too big, this is good for flourishes again and to reduce chances of dropping them.

Will these need replacing often?

No, Pros like David Blaine etc. may use a different deck for every hour of the day but amateurs don't need to, as long your not ripping them up or throwing them on floor and walking on them, your in good shape, although the ownership of two identical decks could be useful. (I own four decent decks in total because I'm posy like that and often end up cutting cards for tricks then need them for a poker night).

Do I need to purchase any other equipment?

No, well not initially, I may include invisible string or other things but nothing of any large cost (invisible string is a good thing to have, even for a trivial flourish, you can get about 100m or so of it for like a quid of eBay).

So buy some cards and get back 'ere for the magic fantastic.

Welcome To The Blog

Hi, after being a magic fan for quite a while, I have decided to have a go at some of the the best tricks available, most notably card tricks. Hopefully this blog will enlighten its readers to become magicians or allow amateurs to learn some pretty cool tricks for their impromptu lunch time acts.

Why Rob Raider?

My name is rob and I primarily use a raider deck of bicycle cards in my performances, I also like to think it symbolizes me raiding a deck of cards and manipulating them for my advantage.

I am not a professional magician, I do not use mega fancy techniques or equipment, just a deck of cards and maybe a couple of strings.

Rob Magic will contain:

Basic Text and Visual Trick Tutorials

Buying Advice

My experiences showing off the magic

Other Magic News

Thanks for joining me, expect the first proper post soon.