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Back Palm

The Back Palm is a classic close-up card magic trick where a playing card seemingly materializes from thin air. The magician holds the card in a specific 'Spider-Man' grip, pinches it between two fingers, and then opens their hand to conceal the card in the back palm. With a quick hand motion, the card is produced again, creating a visually striking illusion. This trick is perfect for beginners and requires only a single playing card, making it easy to perform anywhere. However, mastering the smooth hand movements and hiding the card's edges may take some practice.

Key features

  • Uses only one playing card

  • Beginner-friendly but requires practice

  • No gimmicks or special props needed

  • Can be performed anywhere

Pros

  • Simple to learn

  • Minimal setup

  • Visually impressive

  • Clear and engaging teaching style from Oscar

Cons

  • Hiding the card edges may take practice

  • Smooth hand motion requires repetition

Effect

The Back Palm is a classic card magic technique that makes a playing card appear to materialize from thin air. The magician holds their hand open, showing it empty, then with a simple motion, a card suddenly appears in their fingers. The effect is clean and visual, making it ideal for close-up performances.

Full details

The Back Palm requires only a single playing card. The magician starts by holding the card between two fingers in a specific grip, often compared to Spider-Man’s hand position. By opening the hand, the card is concealed behind the fingers in what is called the back palm position. A slight wave of the hand helps hide the edges of the card, making the hand appear empty. To produce the card, the hand closes, and the card is revealed as if appearing from nowhere.

Who should consider the trick

The Back Palm is great for beginners and intermediate magicians. It requires no gimmicks, just a standard playing card, making it easy to practice anytime. Performers who enjoy visual, quick-hitting magic will appreciate this move. It works well in casual settings or as part of a larger card routine.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The Back Palm is simple in concept but requires practice to perfect. The key challenge is smoothly hiding the card while keeping the hand looking natural. Oscar mentions that the slight hand wave helps conceal the card’s edges, but beginners may need time to get this motion right. With repetition, the move becomes fluid and deceptive.

What magicians say

Oscar describes the Back Palm as a "really really cool move" and emphasizes its visual appeal. He notes that while the technique is beginner-friendly, mastering the hand wave for concealment takes practice. Reviewers highlight the trick’s simplicity and effectiveness, calling it "impressive" and "visually striking." One summary mentions that the move channels the flair of Ant-Man, making it fun for performers who enjoy playful presentations.

The Back Palm is a versatile sleight that can enhance any card magician’s repertoire. With minimal setup and strong visual impact, it’s a solid choice for those looking to add a quick, eye-catching production to their act.

What people are saying about Back Palm

Oscar says...

The Back Palm is a really cool move where you can produce a card from thin air—just hold it in a Spider-Man grip, pinch, and open your hand to hide it. [...] A slight hand wave makes your palm look empty while hiding the card's edges.

Performance videos

Tutorial videos