How to Create a Card Act by Daniel Chard

Created by: Daniel Chard

How to Create a Card Act is a comprehensive instructional course that teaches magicians how to construct professional-level card routines from the ground up. This is a close-up card magic educational resource that goes beyond teaching individual tricks to focus on the underlying principles of routine construction, presentation, and performance theory. The course breaks down the 'why' behind each element of a card act, helping magicians understand how to build cohesive, engaging performances that flow naturally and maintain audience interest. Buyers should know this is not a collection of tricks but rather a framework for creating their own unique card routines, making it ideal for intermediate to advanced card workers looking to elevate their performances from random tricks to structured acts.

Key features

Teaches the principles behind constructing professional card routines, not just individual tricks
Created by Daniel Chard, winner of Alakazam's Best Unlimited Creator 2025 award
Includes insights from Chard's acclaimed Card Under Box routine
Focuses on the 'why' behind routine construction and presentation
Designed to help magicians build cohesive, engaging card performances
Part of the Alakazam Unlimited streaming platform content library

Pros

Comprehensive approach to routine construction
Created by an award-winning magician with proven audience engagement
Teaches performance theory alongside practical techniques
Helps magicians develop unique, personalized card acts
Includes insights from one of the industry's best card routines

Cons

Not a collection of ready-to-perform tricks
Requires existing card magic knowledge to fully benefit
May be too theoretical for beginners looking for quick effects

Effect

The trick is a course that teaches magicians how to build a complete professional card act. The audience sees a magician perform a cohesive and engaging routine with a deck of cards, rather than just a series of isolated tricks.

Full details

"How to Create a Card Act" is a course by Daniel Chard. It is not a single trick but a structured program. The course teaches the process of constructing a professional card routine from start to finish. It focuses on the reasons behind each choice in an act, including selection of effects, pacing, and presentation. The course content is part of the Alakazam Unlimited streaming platform. Daniel Chard also discusses his well-regarded "Card Under Box" routine within the context of this broader course material.

Who should consider the trick

This course is for magicians who perform with cards. It is suitable for those who want to move beyond performing individual tricks. It is designed for performers who wish to create a longer, more professional card act for stage or close-up settings. Magicians interested in the theory behind routine construction will find it valuable.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The difficulty is not in performing a sleight. The challenge is in learning and applying the principles of act creation. The course requires study and practice to integrate the taught concepts into a personal performance. It is a course of study, not a trick that can be performed immediately after purchase.

What magicians say

The course was created by Daniel Chard, who won the "Best Unlimited Creator" award for 2025. The award was based on generating the highest number of views on the Alakazam platform. The video summary states his course is "notable not just for teaching tricks, but for breaking down the why behind constructing a professional card routine." His "Card Under Box" routine is also mentioned as "considered one of the best in the industry." The course is presented as part of an affordable resource for magicians on the streaming service.

What people are saying about How to Create a Card Act

AlakazamMagicUK says...

Daniel Chard's course 'How to Create a Card Act' was notable not just for teaching tricks, but for breaking down the why behind constructing a professional card routine. [...] This course helps magicians understand how to build cohesive, engaging performances that flow naturally.