Glossary of Magic Terms
Even if you don’t know "sleight of hand" from a "large scale illusion," we present a glossary of basic magic terms that you may use as a reference.
Ambitious Card
A card effect where a selected card continually rises to the top of the deck after being placed into the middle of the deck.
A card effect where a selected card continually rises to the top of the deck after being placed into the middle of the deck.
Card Fountain
A card fountain is a device that shoots cards into the air in a continuous stream.
A card fountain is a device that shoots cards into the air in a continuous stream.
Card Through Window
An effect where a chosen playing card seems to pass through the glass of a window or door.
An effect where a chosen playing card seems to pass through the glass of a window or door.
Card to Wallet
An effect where a chosen playing card that's usually signed, is mysteriously found in the magician's wallet.
An effect where a chosen playing card that's usually signed, is mysteriously found in the magician's wallet.
Clean
A state at a trick's conclusion where there is no remnant of the secret for spectators to find. If there are props remaining, spectators may examine them and there will be no way for them to discover the secret. For example, if a magician has caused a handkerchief to disappear in a box, his spectators may examine the box at the trick's conclusion and they will discover no secrets. The secret lies elsewhere, or the box hides a secret that spectators will never find.
A state at a trick's conclusion where there is no remnant of the secret for spectators to find. If there are props remaining, spectators may examine them and there will be no way for them to discover the secret. For example, if a magician has caused a handkerchief to disappear in a box, his spectators may examine the box at the trick's conclusion and they will discover no secrets. The secret lies elsewhere, or the box hides a secret that spectators will never find.
Close-Up Magic
Magic that is performed for small groups of people who are standing or sitting nearby. Close-up magic ypically using common household objects such as cards, coins, handkerchiefs and more.
Magic that is performed for small groups of people who are standing or sitting nearby. Close-up magic ypically using common household objects such as cards, coins, handkerchiefs and more.
Close-Up Magician
A magician who performs close-up magic.
A magician who performs close-up magic.
Coins Across
An effect where coins in one hand mysteriously travel, one by one, to the other hand.
An effect where coins in one hand mysteriously travel, one by one, to the other hand.
Color Change
A color change is a move that's usually accomplished through sleight of hand that switches one card for another card. To spectators, it looks as if one card changes into another one. Popular color changes include the Erdnase and Paintbrush changes.
A color change is a move that's usually accomplished through sleight of hand that switches one card for another card. To spectators, it looks as if one card changes into another one. Popular color changes include the Erdnase and Paintbrush changes.
Disappearance
A magic trick where an object or person vanishes.
A magic trick where an object or person vanishes.
Effect
The intended and perceived outcome of a magic trick or illusion. What the spectator thinks he or she sees happening.
The intended and perceived outcome of a magic trick or illusion. What the spectator thinks he or she sees happening.
Escape
A branch of magic where the performer appears to free him or herself from ropes, handcuffs, boxes and other constraints.
A branch of magic where the performer appears to free him or herself from ropes, handcuffs, boxes and other constraints.
Gimmick
An object that appears natural but has been altered to create a magical effect. Can also be an object that’s never seen by the audience that creates the magical effect.
An object that appears natural but has been altered to create a magical effect. Can also be an object that’s never seen by the audience that creates the magical effect.
Gospel Magic
A branch of magic that uses magic effects to present and reinforce Christian concepts.
A branch of magic that uses magic effects to present and reinforce Christian concepts.
Gypsy Thread
An effect where a magician takes thread and breaks it into tiny pieces. At the end, the thread is completely restored.
An effect where a magician takes thread and breaks it into tiny pieces. At the end, the thread is completely restored.
Haunted Hank
An effect where a handkerchief begins to dance around, almost as if possessed by a spirit.
An effect where a handkerchief begins to dance around, almost as if possessed by a spirit.
Illusion
Any magical effect that to the spectator looks impossible, but is accomplished through real-world means. Illusion is often applied to the large stage magic tricks-the kinds with boxes where people are made to disappear, sawed in half, levitated and more.
Any magical effect that to the spectator looks impossible, but is accomplished through real-world means. Illusion is often applied to the large stage magic tricks-the kinds with boxes where people are made to disappear, sawed in half, levitated and more.
Illusionist
A performer who presents illusions. Usually refers to a magician who performs large stage tricks. Effects such as sawing a person in half are considered illusions.
A performer who presents illusions. Usually refers to a magician who performs large stage tricks. Effects such as sawing a person in half are considered illusions.
Karate Coin
A coin effect where a magician appears to drive his fingers through the center of a coin. In some versions, the coin appears to be torn right through with a hole ripped through its center. In other versions, the finger appears to have somehow penetrated the center of the coin.
A coin effect where a magician appears to drive his fingers through the center of a coin. In some versions, the coin appears to be torn right through with a hole ripped through its center. In other versions, the finger appears to have somehow penetrated the center of the coin.
Knife Through Coat
In this effect, the magician appears to shove a knife through a spectator's borrowed jacket. Even though spectators hear the coat rip, the jacket is untorn at the routine's conclusion.
In this effect, the magician appears to shove a knife through a spectator's borrowed jacket. Even though spectators hear the coat rip, the jacket is untorn at the routine's conclusion.
Levitation
The ability to float oneself, another person or an object, with no apparent means of support, as if the rules of gravity do not apply.
The ability to float oneself, another person or an object, with no apparent means of support, as if the rules of gravity do not apply.
Linking Rings
A well known effect where a magician brings out a set of large rings that mysteriously link and unlink at the magician's command.
A well known effect where a magician brings out a set of large rings that mysteriously link and unlink at the magician's command.
Matrix
Matrix refers to a magic routine, usually with coins, where objects, usually four, are laid out on a table or on the ground. By placing cards or his hands over the objects, the objects appear to magically move from one place to another and ultimately gather in a single place.
Matrix refers to a magic routine, usually with coins, where objects, usually four, are laid out on a table or on the ground. By placing cards or his hands over the objects, the objects appear to magically move from one place to another and ultimately gather in a single place.
Mentalism
Mentalism is a field of magic that involves feats of the mind-mind-reading, predictions and more.
Mentalism is a field of magic that involves feats of the mind-mind-reading, predictions and more.
Misdirection
Making an audience look elsewhere while you perform a secret move.
Making an audience look elsewhere while you perform a secret move.
Packet Tricks
A set of playing cards that are used in a trick. A packet trick does not use an entire deck of playing cards but only some or a few of them. Most packet tricks are carried separate from a deck of cards.
A set of playing cards that are used in a trick. A packet trick does not use an entire deck of playing cards but only some or a few of them. Most packet tricks are carried separate from a deck of cards.
Palming
Secretly hiding an object in your hand.
Secretly hiding an object in your hand.
Patter
Your running commentary as you perform magic. For some tricks, the patter may be a story. With others, it may be jokes.
Your running commentary as you perform magic. For some tricks, the patter may be a story. With others, it may be jokes.
Production
The appearance of an object or person, as if by magic.
The appearance of an object or person, as if by magic.
Pseudo Psychometry
Pseudo Psychometry is a type of mentalism routine where several spectators have items that are associated with them and the magician somehow identifies which item is owned by which person.
Pseudo Psychometry is a type of mentalism routine where several spectators have items that are associated with them and the magician somehow identifies which item is owned by which person.
Reset
Setting up a trick after you’ve performed it so you can perform it again.
Setting up a trick after you’ve performed it so you can perform it again.
Self-Working Trick
A trick that works by itself that requires little technical skill or effort on behalf of the performer.
A trick that works by itself that requires little technical skill or effort on behalf of the performer.
Six Card Repeat
Six Card Repeat is a stand-up effect where a magician counts six cards in his hands, throws one or a few away, and continues to count six cards in his hand. The process is repeated.
Six Card Repeat is a stand-up effect where a magician counts six cards in his hands, throws one or a few away, and continues to count six cards in his hand. The process is repeated.
Sleight of Hand
A branch of magic that mainly depends on skill and relies less on gimmicked objects to create magical effects.
A branch of magic that mainly depends on skill and relies less on gimmicked objects to create magical effects.
Spirit Photography
In spirit photography, deceased people mysteriously appear in photographs. At the time the pictures are taken, supposedly, there's no evidence of the spirit. Many famous photographs appear to show spirits who reside in locations, usually homes. In other photos, spirits are shown to be looming around living people. Perhaps best known is a portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln who is seemingly sitting under the spirit of Abraham Lincoln.
In spirit photography, deceased people mysteriously appear in photographs. At the time the pictures are taken, supposedly, there's no evidence of the spirit. Many famous photographs appear to show spirits who reside in locations, usually homes. In other photos, spirits are shown to be looming around living people. Perhaps best known is a portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln who is seemingly sitting under the spirit of Abraham Lincoln.
Stacked Deck
A stacked deck is one that is in a particular order that allows you to perform a magic trick.
A stacked deck is one that is in a particular order that allows you to perform a magic trick.
Stacked Deck
A deck of cards that is pre-arranged in a certain order to perform an effect.
A deck of cards that is pre-arranged in a certain order to perform an effect.
Stand-Up Magic
A branch of magic where the magician stands in front of a crowd and performs magic.
A branch of magic where the magician stands in front of a crowd and performs magic.
Street Magic
Street Magic is a branch of magic where performers entertain on the streets in urban areas. The performers are paid by collecting tips from their audience members.
Street Magic is a branch of magic where performers entertain on the streets in urban areas. The performers are paid by collecting tips from their audience members.
Table Hopping
Close-up magic that’s performed while spectators are seated at tables, usually at restaurants and sit-down dinner events.
Close-up magic that’s performed while spectators are seated at tables, usually at restaurants and sit-down dinner events.
Torn and Restored
Any effect where an object is torn-up and then made whole again. Usually performed with paper, napkins, cigarette papers, newpaper or playing cards.
Any effect where an object is torn-up and then made whole again. Usually performed with paper, napkins, cigarette papers, newpaper or playing cards.
Transposition
A magic effect where two objects somehow exchange places. Usually performed with coins or playing cards.
A magic effect where two objects somehow exchange places. Usually performed with coins or playing cards.
Triumph
An effect where a deck of cards is shuffled with one-half face-up and the other face-down. The magician somehow straightens out the deck so all of the cards are facing in the same direction, with the exception of a selected card.
An effect where a deck of cards is shuffled with one-half face-up and the other face-down. The magician somehow straightens out the deck so all of the cards are facing in the same direction, with the exception of a selected card.
Zombie Ball
Zombie Ball is a stand-up/stage effect where a metallic globe seemingly floats on its own under the cover of a foulard.
Zombie Ball is a stand-up/stage effect where a metallic globe seemingly floats on its own under the cover of a foulard.