Math Tricks

If you liked puzzles at school, you’ll love this page. Every trick here works because of a bit of arithmetic hiding in plain sight: a count that always comes out the same, piles that add up to a number you already know, or a deal that quietly moves a card to a fixed position.

The nice thing about math tricks is that they can’t go wrong if you follow the steps. The hard part is making them not feel like a math lesson. Nobody is amazed by subtraction. So keep the counting brisk, give the spectator something to do, and put your energy into the reveal.

Practice these face up first. Watch where the important card goes during each deal and count along. Once you understand why it works, you’ll stop worrying about it, and that makes you a much more relaxed performer.

The Year Game is a great one to start with. Kathy’s Prediction turns a simple count into a prediction, and The Lazy Magician lets the spectator do all the work while you take the credit. Mental Agility works with any pack. Many math tricks are also Self-Working Tricks, and the Memory Tricks page has a few more number-crunchers.

The Mathematical Shuffle – A Self-Working Card Trick with a Math Twist Easy — September 3, 2024
A spectator picks a card that is shuffled back into a mixed deck. You count down in multiples of three and the next card revealed is the chosen one.
The Mathematical Mind-Melder – A Card Trick That Defies Logic Easy — February 14, 2024
A spectator selects a card and you apparently read their mind through counting and calculation, then reveal their card as the next one in the deck.
Rising Card Intermediate — February 21, 2019
A spectator’s remembered card is located in a layout of five piles. It then lifts itself out of a stack of cards for a magical finish.
The Year Game Intermediate — December 2, 2018
You ask about weeks, months and days in a year and a week, dealing cards for each answer. After the count, the spectator’s chosen card is revealed.
The Sun Intermediate — August 2, 2018
Thirty cards are laid out like a sun, with a ring and a row. No matter what number a spectator names, the count ends on the card you remembered.
Kathy’s Prediction Easy — June 15, 2018
Cards are dealt into piles that add up to ten, and a volunteer selects three of them. You then predict the value of the top card on the final pile.
Impossible Card Location Easy — June 15, 2018
Three people memorize cards that are buried in piles, then you deal alternately face up and down, discarding piles until only the three chosen cards remain.
The Lazy Magician Easy — April 10, 2018
While your back is turned, a spectator moves some cards around and you still find the card they saw. The method is a mathematical principle.
Stack it Up Intermediate — February 23, 2018
A spectator’s card is located from a layout of three columns, then made to stand out of a stack of cards for a dramatic reveal.
Piano Duets Intermediate — February 17, 2018
You pair up cards between a volunteer’s fingers like piano keys, with one odd card left over. A playful math trick that rewards good patter.
The Final 3 Easy — February 10, 2018
A spectator’s three cards are hidden in the deck. After repeated deals into two piles, only their three cards remain face down.
It’s Your Deal Intermediate — January 30, 2018
A spectator halves the deck, hides a memorized card on top of one half, and deals into four piles. Through elimination they end up with only their chosen card.
Count On Me Intermediate — January 29, 2018
A spectator picks a card at any number up to fifteen in their own deck. Later, behind his back, the magician finds exactly what they chose.
Any Way You Count Them Intermediate — January 28, 2018
Cards are dealt into stacks that add up to ten and a spectator chooses three of them. A little arithmetic then reveals a card or number.
Eight Threatening Kings Easy — January 22, 2018
Someone takes a card from the deck, and the magician tells them its suit and value, using a stack in a memorized order.
Half and Half Intermediate — January 16, 2018
You count out half the deck, build three piles up to ten and have a spectator count down a calculated number. The next card turned over is the one you predicted.
Mental Agility Intermediate — January 12, 2018
With your back turned, a spectator notes the card at a number they thought of. You reverse 19 cards behind your back, and their card is revealed in the count.
Four Ace Extravaganza Intermediate — January 12, 2018
The magician bets the audience can find all the aces. After shuffling and a counted deal, the four aces turn up in surprising places.
Fool Proof Reversed Card Intermediate — January 10, 2018
A spectator picks and replaces a card, and the deck is mixed. Looking through the cards, they find their card has turned over by itself.