The Four Kings sleight of hand is a perfect card trick for beginners and is easily performed by children. There are many variations and almost all of them are based on keeping the four kings together by making the public believe they have separated them.
Steps
Step 1. Separate all the kings (or jacks if you prefer) and three other cards of any other type
Step 2. Arrange the cards in a fan shape to reveal the four kings, keeping the other cards hidden behind them
Step 3. Tell us that the kings are about to rob a bank
They will burst from the roof (In another variant the kings are so friendly that nothing can separate them. The latter could better suit the alternative method described below).
Step 4. At this point, group the cards and arrange them face down on top of the deck (roof)
The first three cards are the different ones, but the audience will believe they are the kings shown above.
Step 5. Take the top different card from the deck
Without showing it, he explains that he will be positioned on the first floor. Place it near the bottom of the deck.
Step 6. Send the "second king" to the second floor, putting the next card in the middle of the deck
Step 7. Send the "third king" to the safe at the bottom
Be careful not to put any cards too close to the top of the deck, since the real kings are there.
Step 8. The fourth remains at the top of the lookout
Turn the card over and show it to the audience.
Step 9. Alerted to the arrival of the police by the lookout king, all the kings move to the roof
The king knocks on the roof. Tap the deck of cards with a finger or knuckle four times.
Step 10. "Dramatically" remove the top four cards from the deck and show them to the public
They should all be kings.
Step 11. Arrange the four “rescued” kings next to the deck and invite someone from the audience to check that there are no other kings in the deck
Method 1 of 1: Alternative Variant
Step 1. Hide any two cards behind the second king before fanning them out to reveal them
Place them on top of the deck. They should be in this order from the top: first king, random card, random card, second king, third king, fourth king.
Step 2. Show the audience the top card (the first king), then move it to the bottom of the deck
Step 3. Place the next two cards, which are not kings, in the middle of the deck without showing them to the public - having shown them the first card, they will be more inclined to believe that the next two cards are also kings
Step 4. Turn over the fourth card (the second king), which the audience will believe to be the fourth and last king
In reality, three kings are still at the top of the deck and one at the bottom.
Step 5. Cut the deck, placing the lower half on top of the upper one, so that the first king returns with the other three
Step 6. Pass the deck and show the audience that the four kings have always stayed together
Advice
- If you find it difficult to hide the cards behind the kings when arranging the cards in a fan, try arranging them vertically.
- Try and retry the trick several times before performing, so that you understand what the difficulties are.
- For best results, distract the audience by telling a story or fable, "patter" for wizards, throughout the game. It will be harder for the audience to notice the trick. Practice speaking while doing the trick and improve your skill.
Warnings
- Don't reveal the trick or show the hidden cards.
- Don't do the same trick twice.
- Answer exhaustively any doubts raised by the public. Do not get excited or smile when you explain that the success of the make-up is based on total trust from the public.
