This effect uses the “key card” principle to track where to find the spectator’s card. This means you need to remember the bottom card of the deck. It will indicate where to find your spectator’s card. While hiding their card inside the deck, overhand cut a few piles. Ask them to add in their card wherever they like. Then, place the remaining stack of cards on top of their card. When the deck is spread face-up, their card will be one above the “key card” you memorized.

Pro Tip: You cannot do this trick with a signed card because it could be visible while the cards are spread face-up. If you do not want to touch your spectator’s wrist, you can use terminology about sensing their energy instead of feeling their heartbeat increase.

Gerry Griffin is a gatekeeper of many magic secrets. He’s opening up his archives of knowledge just for you in this series: “Complete Card Magic.” Explore other tricks from this course to build your magic skills. Check out more courses with similar effects: “Legends With Cards,” “Extreme Card Moves,” and “Clever Card Magic.”