How to Build a Face-Changing Court Card Gimmick

The Situation

You want to show a card and have it change instantly into another one right before your friends' eyes. If the gimmick isn't built right, they’ll see the lines on the card or the change will be slow and clunky. This lesson shows you how to make the change look like a camera trick.

What This Teaches

This lesson covers the step-by-step construction of a "Face Flap" gimmick. You will learn why using court cards (like Kings and Queens) is the best way to hide the secret. The busy patterns on these cards help camouflage the cut lines so nobody suspects the card is anything but normal.

Julio shows you how to use a craft knife to peel away layers of the card and how to use double-sided tape to secure the flap. You'll also learn the right way to thread the elastic so the card snaps into its new face the moment you let go. After watching this, you’ll be able to build a card that changes from a Queen to a King in a fraction of a second.

About Julio Montoro

Julio has created and sold over 50 magic effects, including hits like "Rejoined." He started building his own visual gimmicks when he was ten years old, so he knows exactly where people usually get stuck.

What's Included

• Selecting the best court cards to hide the gimmick seams
• How to strip the first two layers of a card for a thinner flap
• Where to place double-sided tape for the best grip
• Aligning the flap so the card stays perfectly square
• Using a punch tool and needle to install the elastic thread
• The "slow-open" trick to make sure your new gimmick doesn't break

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this hard to build?
It takes some steady hands and a bit of patience with a craft knife. If you can cut a straight line, you can build this. The actual magic trick is very easy to do once the card is finished.

Do I need special tools?
You’ll need two court cards, one extra card, a sharp craft knife, double-sided tape, and some elastic thread with a needle.

What skill level is this for?
This is for anyone who wants to move past "pick a card" tricks and start using visual gimmicks. It's a great first project if you've never built your own magic before.

How long does it take to make?
The video is about seven minutes long. It will probably take you about 15 minutes to build your first one while you follow along.