Pip Card

The performer displays a large playing card, which shows a pip in the front, and four pips on the back of the card. When the card is turned over the one has become a three and the four has changed to a six. The magician now explains how the trick is performed with a specially printed card, teaching it to his audience.

In actual fact the card has two pips on one side and five pips on the other. By placing his hand at the correct spot the two spots can be made to appear as a one or three. Similarly on the reverse the five spots can be shown as a four or six.

Having taught the trick to his audience, the performer now proceeds to fool them with it all over again, using some real magic. There is now really a three on one side and a six on the opposite side. Then the six becomes a seven. And finally the seven becomes an eight, so the card shows three on one side and eight on the reverse.

This is one of the classic magic effects, and a favourite with magicians and audiences through the ages.