There are many magic tricks out there that never fail to amaze us, and one of the most popular of these is the pen through a card trick. This is a simple yet impressive trick that involves pushing a pen through a playing card without damaging it. In this article, we will explore the inner workings of this trick and reveal how it is done.
The Set Up
Before the trick can be performed, the magician needs to set up the deck of cards. They will typically choose a card, usually the Ace of spades, and place it on top of the deck. The magician will then place the pen on top of the chosen card, positioning it so that it is perpendicular to the card.
The Trick
Once the set up is complete, the magician will ask a member of the audience to choose a card from the deck. They will then ask the audience member to sign their name on the card, ensuring that the card is unique and not a duplicate. The magician will then take the signed card and place it on top of the chosen card, sandwiching the pen between the two cards.
With a flick of the wrist, the magician will push the pen through the two cards, seemingly piercing the signed card without causing any damage. The magician will then remove the pen from the card, leaving the signed card intact and unharmed.
The Secret
So, how does the pen through a card trick work? The secret lies in the set up of the deck of cards. By placing the chosen card on top of the deck, the magician ensures that they know which card the audience member will choose. The pen is then placed on top of this card, ensuring that it is in the correct position for the trick.
When the audience member signs their name on the chosen card, the magician ensures that they do not sign on the part of the card that is covered by the pen. This is why the pen is positioned perpendicular to the card, rather than parallel.
When the signed card is placed on top of the chosen card, the pen is sandwiched between the two cards. The magician then uses their thumb to push the pen through the two cards, creating the illusion that the card has been pierced. However, in reality, the pen is only penetrating the top card, leaving the signed card unharmed.
Conclusion
The pen through a card trick is a classic magic trick that never fails to impress. By understanding the set up and secret behind the trick, we can see how simple yet effective it is. It just goes to show that sometimes, the simplest tricks are the most impressive.
