# The 13 Trick Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4xzmMuJTWs Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/d4xzmMuJTWs Generated: 2025-07-21T22:05:37.363+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The "13 Trick" is a self-working card trick where a performer can reveal a chosen card's value by having a participant perform a series of counting and dealing steps, ultimately leaving a number of cards in the performer's hand that precisely matches the value of a previously unrevealed card, all due to the mathematical properties of the setup. **Key Points:** - The trick begins with a standard 52-card deck, which can be shuffled by anyone. - Participants draw a card, and the performer deals cards into piles, counting up to 13 from the drawn card's value (face cards count as 11, 12, 13). - The performer removes all but three chosen piles and adds the unselected cards to their hand. - The participant reveals the top cards of two chosen piles and adds their values to 10. - The performer deals out the calculated sum from the cards in their hand. - The number of cards remaining in the performer's hand exactly matches the value of the top card of the third, previously unrevealed pile. - The trick works because each pile effectively contains 14 cards, and the number of cards "skipped" during the initial counting phase for each pile is precisely the value of its top card. ![Screenshot at 1:56: The presenter points to the revealed top card of the last pile, which matches the number of cards in his hand, demonstrating the trick's success.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d4xzmMuJTWs/00-01-56.png) **Context:** The presenter, Michael, introduces a card trick that his mother taught him, which he credits with sparking his lifelong passion for mathematics and recreational math. He highlights the trick's initial mystery, even to his mother, as the driving force behind his desire to understand its underlying principles. ## Detailed Analysis The "13 Trick" is a mathematical card trick demonstrated by the presenter, Michael, who shares that his mother taught him this trick, sparking his lifelong love for recreational mathematics. The trick begins with a standard 52-card deck, which can be shuffled by anyone. The participant draws a card, notes its value (face cards count as Jack=11, Queen=12, King=13), and then deals cards from the deck, counting up to 13 from the drawn card's value to form a pile. This process is repeated to create as many piles as possible until the deck is exhausted or a pile cannot be completed. Any remaining cards are held by the performer. Next, the participant selects any three of the completed piles. The performer removes the unselected piles and adds them to their hand. The participant then reveals the top cards of two of the chosen piles and adds their values to 10. The performer deals out this calculated sum from the cards in their hand. The number of cards remaining in the performer's hand will always exactly match the value of the top card of the third, unrevealed pile. This works because each pile, including the initial face-up card, effectively contains 14 cards (1 for the face-up card + 13 cards dealt on top). The number of cards "skipped" from the initial count of 13 for each pile is precisely the value of its top card. When the participant adds the values of two top cards to 10, and the performer deals that many cards, the remaining cards in hand mathematically correspond to the value of the third top card, making the trick appear magical. ### Trick Origin - The presenter's mother taught him the trick, inspiring his love for math and recreational mathematics. ### Initial Setup - Start with a standard 52-card deck, which can be shuffled by anyone. ### Building Piles - Draw a card, count up to 13 from its value (Jack=11, Queen=12, King=13), dealing cards face down to form piles; repeat until no more piles can be made. ### Selecting Piles - The participant chooses any three piles from the table; unchosen piles are returned to the performer's hand. ### The Reveal Process - The participant reveals the top cards of two chosen piles, adds their values to 10, and the performer deals that many cards from their hand. ### The Outcome - The number of cards remaining in the performer's hand exactly matches the value of the top card of the third, unrevealed pile. ### Mathematical Explanation - Each pile effectively contains 14 cards (face-up card + cards to reach 13), and the number of cards "skipped" during the initial count for each pile is equal to its top card's value, ensuring the final count matches the remaining top card. ![Screenshot at 0:04: The presenter shuffles a deck of cards, demonstrating the initial setup.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d4xzmMuJTWs/00-00-04.png) ![Screenshot at 0:23: The first card, an 8 of spades, is revealed, initiating the counting process.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d4xzmMuJTWs/00-00-23.png) ![Screenshot at 0:40: Three piles are formed, with a Jack of diamonds revealed on top of the third pile.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d4xzmMuJTWs/00-00-40.png) ![Screenshot at 0:48: Multiple piles of cards are spread across the table, showing the result of the initial dealing phase.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d4xzmMuJTWs/00-00-48.png) ![Screenshot at 1:18: Three selected piles are arranged in a line, ready for the next step of the trick.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d4xzmMuJTWs/00-01-18.png) ![Screenshot at 1:24: The top cards of two piles \(6 of clubs and 9 of hearts\) are revealed, while one remains face down.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d4xzmMuJTWs/00-01-24.png) ![Screenshot at 1:49: The presenter counts the four cards remaining in his hand, preparing for the final reveal.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d4xzmMuJTWs/00-01-49.png) ![Screenshot at 2:00: The presenter explains the mathematical principle, pointing to the top cards of the piles.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d4xzmMuJTWs/00-02-00.png) ![Screenshot at 2:15: The presenter gestures to the piles, explaining how each pile effectively contains 14 cards.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d4xzmMuJTWs/00-02-15.png) ![Screenshot at 2:47: The presenter points to the top card of the middle pile, explaining how its value relates to the cards in his hand.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d4xzmMuJTWs/00-02-47.png)