This, That, and Other - the Magic Card Trick

The famous "This, That, and Other" magic card trick released in 2007.

Skill Level: Low, but requires practice.

Note: Watch the video. A lot of the "magic" comes from the story. Practicing the story is just as important as the trick itself.

Three cards (Preferably empty cards, 2's, or Aces)
A permanent marker to write on said cards

Note: The trick shows better when the text is in the middle but can be placed anywhere.

The primary trick used in this card trick is the double lift. The double lift is where you show one card, while a second card is hidden directly behind it. The two cards give the appearance of one card.

A. Line up the cards in this order all facing down, Other on top, This in the middle, and That on bottom.

B. Perform a double lift by lifting This card and the Other card.

C. Flip the two cards up so only This card is showing, hiding the Other card behind it.

D. Turn the two cards over again so they're face down.

E. Because the Other is still on top, set that one aside.

A. Turn over This card so that it is face up.

B. Turn it back over and place it on top of the Other card.

C. Turn over That card so that it is face up.

D. Turn it back over and place it on top of This card.

"The Turn" consists of three parts, showing This card three times, showing That card three times, and then again showing This card three times.

A. Double lift the top two cards, That card on top of This card, and move them to the bottom. This gives the illusion that That card is the bottom card while the order is the Other card on top, That card in the middle, and This card on bottom.

B. You then show that This card is the card that is on bottom.

The modified double lift involves the same mechanic as the regular double lift. The difference is the location of the cards. When using three cards, the dealer will slide the top card back revealing the bottom two, and then slide the middle card and the top card forward so that the middle card is sticking out. The top and bottom card are completely parallel. The dealer now grabs the middle card (where it is poking out) with his less dominant hand, and grabs the left and right sides of the stack (the longer sides of the cards) with his dominant hand. The less dominant hand is to keep the middle card from moving, while the dominant hand pulls the top and bottom card out together, giving the appearance that only the top card had been lifted.

A. The next bit involves something called a modified double lift. Conduct the modified double lift to give the appearance that you are checking the top card when the top card is hidden behind This card and only This card is shown.

B. Set the double lift down on top of the stack and This card falls naturally in the middle. Show the audience that This card is indeed in the middle.

"The Turn" for That card is the same for "The Turn" for This card.

A. That card is now on bottom and can be shown to the audience.

B. Conduct the modified double lift to give the appearance that you are checking the top card when the top card is hidden behind That card and only That card is shown.

C. Set the double lift down on top of the stack and That card falls naturally in the middle. Show the audience that That card is indeed in the middle.

Note: At this point the Other card is on top, That card is in the middle, and This card is on bottom.

This trick requires practices to look believable. The trick here is not within the actual mechanics but in the speed. When done quickly, it gives the appearance of three This cards being drawn from the stack when in reality it is the same This card.

A. Show that This card is on bottom.

B. Double lift This card and That card. They are the bottom two cards. Then show This card again.

C. Set the double lift down on top of the Other card. This card will be in the middle. Immediately pull out This card from the middle to show the audience.

D. Place This card on the top of the stack.

A. Reveal the cards from the top of the stack down. Pull out This card and show it to the audience.

B. Pull out That card and show it to the audience.

C. Reveal the Other card.

Note: Watch the video. A lot of the "magic" comes from the story. Practicing the story is just as important as the trick itself.