How To Perform The Double Lift Magic Trick

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A woman in a hat holding a deck of cards in her hand, ready to perform a magic trick.

Do you want to amaze your friends and family with a classic, yet powerful magic trick?

The double lift is one of the most well-known techniques used by magicians to wow their audiences. With just a few ordinary cards, you can create an illusion so convincing that your audience will be left scratching their heads.

Imagine the look of wonder and surprise you’ll see when you pull off this classic magic trick. All you need is a few minutes of practice, a standard deck of cards, and you’ll be ready to show off your new skill.

If you’re ready to learn how to perform the double lift magic trick, read on for a step-by-step guide.

Gather Your Supplies

Gather your supplies to begin your journey, for with them you’ll create magic.
You’ll need two decks of playing cards, one to serve as your practice deck, and another to perform with.
You’ll also need a flat surface to work on, such as a table, and a bit of practice.
With these supplies, you’ll soon be able to master the double lift magic trick and impress your audience.

Preparing the Cards

Before you start, make sure you’ve got the cards ready to go. Start by fanning out the deck to make sure they’re all facing the same way. This will make them easier to handle and keep the audience engaged.

Cut the deck with your non-dominant hand and then re-stack it. This is an important part of the trick, so be sure to practice this step thoroughly.

Executing the Double Lift

Video by John Kurlak is licensed under CC-BY 3.0.
  1. Take your time and carefully show off your skills as you execute the two-card maneuver.
  2. Grip the two cards while keeping them close to each other.
  3. Push them up together with your thumb, then slowly lift with your index finger.
  4. Keep the cards together so it looks like a single card.
  5. When you have the cards at a ninety-degree angle, stop.
  6. Then, move your fingers back down to their original position and the two cards should now be separated.
  7. Congratulate yourself on a successful performance of the double lift!

Showing the Cards

Once you’ve successfully executed the double lift, you can show off your cards! But, how can you present them in a way that will wow the audience?

Start by holding the two cards face up in your hands and slowly turn them over to show the faces.

Then, display the top card, keeping the bottom card hidden.

Finally, snap the two cards together and present them as one card to the audience. This will leave them in awe of your magical abilities!

Completing the Trick

Now it’s time to complete the illusion and leave the audience in awe of your skill! Ask your spectator to pick one card from the two. Hold the two cards in the same hand and slowly turn them over, revealing the two halves of the same card.

Point out the two halves of the card to the audience and ask them to check for themselves. Place the card back onto the deck and spread the cards, showing that the chosen card is still in the deck.

Perform a flourish or a small trick to finish the trick and watch the audience’s amazement!