Push Break
How to Get a Break Without Using Two Hands
Most people get caught doing a double lift because they have to use both hands to set it up. The moment you bring your second hand over to fumble with the cards, your friends start staring at the deck. The Push Break lets you get your pinky break ready with just one hand while you're talking, so nobody suspects a thing.
How the Push Break Works
Julio Ribera breaks this move down into small, manageable finger movements. You’ll learn how to use your thumb to slide the cards over and, more importantly, how to use your middle finger as a "sensor." The lesson shows you exactly how to feel the edge of each card as it passes your fingertip. This way, you know you have exactly two cards without ever having to look down at your hands.
Who Should Learn the Push Break?
This is a perfect skill for beginners who already know how to hold a deck in Mechanic's Grip. It isn't a difficult move, but it does require some "touch." You won't need weeks of practice, but you'll want to spend an afternoon getting used to the feeling of the cards sliding against your finger. Once you get it, you'll never go back to the clunky two-handed methods.
About Julio Ribera
Julio is a Spanish pro who specializes in making card magic look effortless. He has taught over a million people how to perform through his videos. He’s known for taking professional techniques and breaking them down so they actually work for normal people in the real world.
What You'll Learn
- The specific thumb position that keeps cards from flying out
- How to use your middle finger to count cards by "feel"
- Moving your ring and pinky fingers to make space for the break
- How to square the deck one-handed while keeping your pinky in place
- The secret to making the entire move look like one natural motion
Common Questions
How long until I can actually use this?
You can learn the mechanics in about five minutes. To do it smoothly without looking at your hands, you'll probably need about an hour of "fiddling" with the deck while you watch TV or talk to someone.
What if I have small hands?
This move is actually easier for many people with smaller hands because it relies on the tips of your fingers rather than stretching across the whole deck.
Is this easier with certain cards?
It works best with a standard deck of plastic-coated paper cards (like Bicycles). If your cards are very old and sticky, it might be harder to feel the individual edges, so a relatively fresh deck helps.
Can I learn this without a teacher watching?
Yes. Julio shows the angles you need to see. Since the move is based on "feel" (sensing the card edges with your middle finger), you'll know immediately when you've pushed over one, two, or three cards.