The Online Magic Store Blog
The history of sawing a woman in half
How P. T. Selbit, Horace Goldin and Robert Harbin turned sawing a woman in half into one of magic’s most famous stage illusions.
The history of sawing a woman in half
How to do the 21-card trick: step by step, and why it works
The classic self-working 21-card trick taught step by step, with why it works, how to present it so it doesn’t feel like maths, and variati…
How to do the 21-card trick: step by step, and why it worksThe 7 Types of Magic Tricks: Every Illusion Explained
Transformation, teleportation, production, vanish, levitation, penetration and restoration: the seven basic effects behind almost every mag…
The 7 Types of Magic Tricks: Every Illusion Explained
Talent show magic tricks: how to choose and build your act
How to choose magic tricks that work on a school or community talent show stage, build a short routine and rehearse it safely.
Talent show magic tricks: how to choose and build your act
How to write patter for magic: a beginner’s guide to scripting your tricks
How to write, cut and rehearse patter, the words you say during a trick, with presentational styles and a worked card trick script.
How to write patter for magic: a beginner’s guide to scripting your tricks
Halloween magic tricks: what to buy for parties, doorsteps and séances
Halloween magic tricks for the trick-or-treat door, a party or a grown-up séance, sorted by where you’ll perform and the skill level each p…
Halloween magic tricks: what to buy for parties, doorsteps and séances
Best magic books for beginners
Good first magic books for card magic, coin magic and general magic, compared side by side, including free classics you can download today.
Best magic books for beginners
The Chinese linking rings: a history of magic’s great metal mystery
Where the linking rings come from, from an eighteenth-century Japanese book to Philippe’s Paris stage and the three-ring routines of today.
The Chinese linking rings: a history of magic’s great metal mystery
Card Magic vs Cardistry vs Card Manipulation: What's the Difference?
Card magic, card manipulation and cardistry compared: what each one is, how they differ, and which to learn first.
Card Magic vs Cardistry vs Card Manipulation: What's the Difference?
How to do a coin roll across your knuckles
A beginner’s guide to the coin roll (knuckle roll): which coin to use, the steps, a practice plan and the mistakes to avoid.
How to do a coin roll across your knuckles
How to do the Charlier cut
A step-by-step guide to the Charlier cut, the classic one-handed cut, with grip, fixes for dropped cards and a practice plan.
How to do the Charlier cut
Who was Robert-Houdin, the father of modern magic?
Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin turned conjuring into elegant theatre in 1840s Paris and gave Houdini his name; here is his story, his famous ill…
Who was Robert-Houdin, the father of modern magic?
How to fan a deck of cards
How to do a thumb fan, a pressure fan and a one-handed fan, which decks fan best and how to keep them fanning well.
How to fan a deck of cards
Pocket Magic: How to Build an Everyday Carry Magic Kit
How to build an everyday magic kit that fits in your pocket, so you're ready to perform whenever the moment comes.
Pocket Magic: How to Build an Everyday Carry Magic Kit
Coin gimmick combinations: why magicians mix shells, flippers and magnets
Why coin magicians combine shells, flippers, folding and magnetic coins in one routine, how it works in principle, and the risks.
Coin gimmick combinations: why magicians mix shells, flippers and magnets
Magnetic coins explained: what they are and how magicians use them
What magnetic and steel core coins are, the principle behind them, and where they fit in real coin routines.
Magnetic coins explained: what they are and how magicians use them
Flipper coins explained: mechanics and handling
What a flipper coin is, where it came from, how magnetic and elastic versions differ, and how to handle one so the change looks like magic.
Flipper coins explained: mechanics and handling
Coin shells explained: weight, balance and types
What a coin shell is, how expanded, regular and shim shells differ, and why weight, balance and fit decide whether a shell fools anyone.
Coin shells explained: weight, balance and types
Flap cards: learning curve and practice
How hard flap cards really are to perform, the skills around the gaff, and a step-by-step practice plan.
Flap cards: learning curve and practice
How to Choose a Magic Trick: 6 Things to Check Before You Buy
Six things to check before buying any magic trick: effect, skill level, method, angles, reset, and physical vs download.
How to Choose a Magic Trick: 6 Things to Check Before You Buy
Classic effects with flap cards
The classic flap card effects, from the visible change and double change to the torn corner and colour change, and when to use each.
Classic effects with flap cards
Flap cards: mechanics and theory
What a flap card is, the principle behind the hinged half-card, and why the seam, grip and timing matter more than the gaff.
Flap cards: mechanics and theory
The Omni family: how the clear-deck idea evolved
How the Omni idea grew from a deck that turns into clear plastic to pens, coins and props with a second surprise inside.
The Omni family: how the clear-deck idea evolvedWhat is the Omni Pen? The clear Sharpie explained
What the Omni Pen is, who made its routines, how it builds on the Omni Deck and whether it is worth adding to your act.
What is the Omni Pen? The clear Sharpie explained
