How to Do the 4 Kings Trick

Here's a neat card trick. For best results, keep the audience distracted by carrying on a tale or story, known to magicians as "patter", which runs throughout the duration of the trick. The ruse will then be less noticeable to the audience. Practice to develop your skill at talking and playing the cards all at once.

Steps   

  1. Get a deck of cards.
  2. Four kings and any other three cards.
    Four kings and any other three cards.
    Separate all the kings (or jacks, if you prefer) and get three extra cards of any other type.
  3. Fan the cards so that the three spares hide behind the last one (king of spades).
    Fan the cards so that the three spares hide behind the last one (king of spades).
    Fan out the cards so that the four kings show, with the three extra cards hidden behind the fourth king.
  4. Explain that the kings are going to rob a bank. They will enter through the roof.
  5. Stack the cards all together and place them atop the deck.
    Stack the cards all together and place them atop the deck.
    At this point, stack the cards all together and place them face down on the top (roof) of the deck. The three top cards are your spares, but your audience will believe they are the kings that they were shown previously.
  6. Place three cards on various "floors" of the building.
    Place three cards on various "floors" of the building.
    Take the first spare card off the top. Without showing anyone the face of the card, say he's going to be on the first floor. Put him in the deck.
  7. Send the second king to the second floor.
  8. Send the third king to the vault at the bottom.
  9. The fourth card stays as a "lookout".
    The fourth card stays as a "lookout".
    The fourth stays on top to be the lookout. Stand him up and show him to the audience.
  10. Tap the deck loudly to alert the other three cards.
    Tap the deck loudly to alert the other three cards.
    Have the top king say that the cops are coming, so everybody needs to go to the top. He knocks on the roof. Tap the deck four times.
  11. Magically produce four kings.
    Magically produce four kings.
    Make a show of taking the four cards off the top of the deck and showing them to the audience. Naturally, the second-floor robber gets to the roof first and the basement robber last. They should all be kings.


Tips   

  • Display the four "rescued" kings alongside the deck and invite someone from the audience to search the remaining deck for the spare kings that they will figure you inserted.
  • An alternate hold.
    An alternate hold.
    If you have trouble keeping the spare cards hidden in a traditional fan, try a vertical arrangement.


Warnings   

  • Don't tell anybody the secret of the trick or show off the hidden cards.
  • Don't do the same trick twice.