How to Do the This'n'that Card Trick

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: At this point

   Toss them down on the table, spreading them out.
   
   Be careful to make sure they stay in order. , By doing this, you are turning over the first two cards, revealing the bottom card, which is 'THIS' card. ,,,,,, As you say that, take the top 2 cards and move them to the bottom.
   
   They will say, "That card is on the bottom." Show them the bottom of the stack, revealing the 'THIS' card. , Move the first two cards forward in your hand, then flip the top card towards you, grabbing the bottom card with your thumb as you flip.
   
   Basically, what you're doing is taking the top and bottom cards and flipping them, leaving the middle card.
   
   This reveals the 'THIS' card.
   
   Flip these two cards back over. , Fan out the packet and pull out the middle card, also revealing the 'THIS' card.
   
   Put the card back in the middle. , As you do this, show them the bottom card of the deck. , As you do this, move the top card forward and flip it towards you, grabbing the bottom card and flipping it also, as in Step
   8.
   
   This also reveals 'THAT' card.
   
   Flip these two cards back over. , Fan out the packet and pull out the middle card.
   
   Show this to your audience member, revealing the 'THAT' card. ,, Then, face the packet downwards and pull the top card into your other hand. (This is known as the Hindu Shuffle.) "THIS card..." again, showing them the same bottom card in the packet.
   
   Turn it downwards and pull the top card into your other hand, on top of the card already there. "...
   
   And THIS card." Showing them the last card in your hand, which is the same card you've been showing them.
   
   Put this card on top of the others. , As you say this next phrase, take each card and flip them over, starting with the top card and working your way down. "You've gotta remember in life, you get a little bit of THIS, a little bit of THAT, but not so much of the (pause for dramatic effect) OTHER."
2. 2

   Step 2: start telling a story: "I went up to a man in the street..." or something similar (See Tips).

3. 3

   Step 3: Tell your audience member that you have 3 cards.

4. 4

   Step 4: Tell them that you have 'THIS' card

5. 5

   Step 5: while double lifting the first two cards in your packet.

6. 6

   Step 6: Turn the two cards back over (which the audience member should think is one card) and then take the top card and place it on the table

7. 7

   Step 7: face down.

8. 8

   Step 8: Tell them that you have 'THIS' card (again

9. 9

   Step 9: as if you have two 'THIS' cards) while turning over the top card in the packet.

10. 10

    Step 10: Turn the card back over and then place it on the table

11. 11

    Step 11: face down on top of the card already there (which is the 'OTHER' card).

12. 12

    Step 12: Turn over the last card in your packet while telling your audience member that you have 'THAT' card.

13. 13

    Step 13: Turn 'THAT' card back over

14. 14

    Step 14: then place it on the table on top of the stack.

15. 15

    Step 15: Tell your audience member to keep his or her eyes on 'THAT' card.

16. 16

    Step 16: Suggest that maybe 'THAT' card is still on top.

17. 17

    Step 17: Suggest that since the top and bottom cards have been the 'THIS' card

18. 18

    Step 18: 'THAT' card must be in the middle.

19. 19

    Step 19: Tell your audience member that they are trying to follow the 'THAT' card.

20. 20

    Step 20: Tell them that 'THIS' card was just on the bottom

21. 21

    Step 21: and the top also

22. 22

    Step 22: but now that is also 'THAT' card.

23. 23

    Step 23: Suggest that you are using 2 of 'THAT' card

24. 24

    Step 24: and admit that you are using 3

25. 25

    Step 25: because 'THAT' card is also in the middle.

26. 26

    Step 26: Suggest that maybe you're cheating.

27. 27

    Step 27: Tell them

28. 28

    Step 28: you've got THIS card..." and show them the bottom card in the packet.

29. 29

    Step 29: Grand finale time.

Detailed Guide

About the Author