My FAVORITE Self-Working Card Trick (NEVER Touch The Deck)

This tutorial teaches a easy to do self-working card trick called The Lazy Man's Card Trick. It's one of my favorite easy card tricks to perform and even teach spectators. Watch until the end for some theory on how to perform these type of tricks.
Credit and History: In Close-Up Card Magic, Harry Lorayne notes that Al Koran taught him the trick and that the original concept came from Prof. Jack Miller. Koran published his version in Abra No. 450 (September 11, 1954) as The Lazy Magician Does A Card Trick.

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Yo yo yo guys, Alex Pandrea here! I'm a magician and sleight of hand enthusiast. I own The Blue Crown and House of Playing Cards. I started this channel because I love teaching and talking about magic!
There are so many bad tutorials on youtube so i figured you might as well learn some stuff the right way! On this channel we will learn how to do magic, card sleights and talk about theory on performing TO MAKE YOU A BETTER MAGICIAN ALL AROUND WOO HOO! Subscribe and enjoy the journey! Card Magic, Learn Magic, Magic Tricks, Card Tricks, Easy Magic Tutorial, Cardistry.

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[RazNaz]

I did it to a friend recently. At the end instead of guessing where the card is, I waited a bit (important) and then asked him to quickly give me a number between 1 and 10 (card was in 7th position). Because he subconsciously saw the 7 at the top of the stack a few seconds ago after the last open face cut, he said 7. WOW !!!! such a double impact. Not touching the cards and also he picks a number and his card is at that number. Incredible impact. Everyone was speechless. So I decided to do it again, first person did not give me the number that I wanted but the second one did so I went with him. Still huge impact. I think the fact that they see the open face card like me when they do the last cut and then I wait just a little while then ask quickly for a number, they most likely will give that number. When at one try no one gave me the number I wanted, I said the number where I think the card is and asked if anyone wants to bet on their numbers or if they think I will beat them all. Still was powerful. Love this trick.

[arghyamondal]

R u kidding me, 3 tutorials in 3 days, respect Alex

[anthonywhaley]

I like the self working tricks, it gives me confidence

[kelvintiv]

Hey Alex,
Although I am 70 years old I have only been doing magic for about 3months, but I have learnt so much from you and other guys like you. I personally have been avoiding self working tricks, but this one is really good. Tuhanks sooo much for everything.

[madhavcs]

The idea to teach the spectator a magic trick is just lit! This is how the community will grow .... A self working tricks is were everyone starts

[abhirup]

For the setup you can alternate the odd numbered cards for spade, even numbers for hearts and face cards for diamonds. That way the deck looks more random and you can show it to the audience and even repeat the trick.

[ananthu]

threeee tutorials in three days. This is heaven

[FPIZZA]

Yet another tutorial NOC’d out of the park.

[toiomagician]

The trick is great! And, what's even better imo, is that it can be evolved (with a different stack, fake shuffles n stuff) into a true miracle.

Thanks for sharing Alex!

[daveedmunds]

I've always been a sleight-of-hand 'purist', but self-working tricks of this high-calibre are a welcome break in a performance for the magician and the spectators, even though they don't realise it. So, yes!

[mikehughes]

As long as the effect is strong and the story fun then self-working tricks allow you to concentrate more on the presentation. As a part of your set, it isn't bad but not all self-working.

[waywardboundband]

I think tricks like this, will always have a place in magic. Especially when you can make your own variations of it. I started doing card magic in the summer of 2019 to help regain control of my hands after. I had my third heat stroke and died and I have some nerve damage from the defibrillator. So magic has helped me a lot! My wife loves seeing me perform new card tricks! So yes. They have a place in magic always. Thank you for sharing your magic with us!

[ptrichie]

I think self working tricks are good when you just starting out with magic as there's no slights or awkward cardistry moves to worry about while you're building confidence up! But as some have pointed out they're only self working if you know they're self working! You can blow some people away with a simple card trick that happens on its own!

[tarzanmonkeyman]

First off, let me just start by saying "thank you" to Alex for creating these videos. I have learned so much and I do believe I have become a better magician and performer from watching/studying them.

One recurring theme that I keep bumping up against is the following: "Sometimes I the audience is more interested/impressed with a self-working/simple trick then one that requires complicated sleight-of-hand." As someone who enjoys the challenge of complicated sleights, this can be frustrating. But when I think about it further it's actually a compliment - that is, it means that I am performing my sleight so well that they seem natural.

[RazNaz]

Instead of using the traditional single “key card”, using a “key stack” opens up so many new trick possibilities and reveals. Love it. Awesome.

[TUFRIDEGPGT]

Self-working tricks only seems self-working because you know the effect. They have a great place in magic. Especially for the magician that comes up with the effect in the first place.

[ryanjeffords]

I’ve performed a lot over the last 5 years or so. I can count on one hand how many self working tricks I’ve seen from a spectator that I would consider to be pretty good. I’m not a huge fan of these, but I can honestly say that this one was pretty good. I’ll be anxious to try this one and see if I can put my own spin on it. Thanks Alex!

[paulgambino]

Having a repertoire of both sleight of hand and self-working is essential. You are the best. Thanks for all your help.

[andrewcharles]

I'm no magician and never will be, but I like to have a few card tricks just for fun. This is one of them. Thanks!

[rosskennedy]

You mentioned the "21" card trick.
I found this interesting since it was one of my first tricks.

Even though most people think it is the most boring trick, i still use it 40+ years later,
But with a twist.

I do this trick blindfolded!

To do this, i use 3 piles of 7 cards facedown (makes sure audience believes i can't see the cards)

I pick up each pile and fan them to spectator asking them to remember 1 card

Then follow the routine for the normal "21" card trick. Again fanning each 7 card pack to spectator, asking which pile their card is in.

To reveal their card, i take one ofvtge two piles NOT containing their card, square it up, THEN take the pile containing their card and deal this pile one at a time on top of squared up pile. I deal these cards so the first is outjogged towards the spectator and the next card is injogged towards me. This continues (outjog - injog) the remaining 5 cards. Then square up last pile and place on top.

Pick up entire pile of cards by the middle of the long sides of the deck. (Thumb on one side, fingers on other side) Starting with the short end of the deck with the 4 outjogged cards
(when you outjog and injog, one end will have 4 cards sticking out and other end will have 3)
With the 4 cards outjogged end, tap this gently on the table pushing these 4 cards back into the deck
Turn deck end for end and repeat with 3 cards outjogged end.
At this point you should now have 3 -4 sticking out of the deck. Flip the deck once more, and with one quick tap drive thses cards back into the deck.
This will leave their selected card as the only one sticking out of the deck

Hopefully i have explained this well. This gets amazing reactions ands shows how even simple self-working tricks can be an i tegral part of your show with the right presentation