I always knew card players could make big money but the revelation this week that Paul Cezanne’s ‘The Card Players’ painting sold for $250 miillion is possibly the greatest trick with cards I have ever witnessed!

The card players that Cezanne painted lived around 1893 in Provence, France. He referred to this type of painting as ‘human still life’ but when you look closely at the painting you realise that whilst the two men were quite still, Cezanne managed to capture an amazing look concentration in their faces. The same kind of intensity that you still see today around a poker table where players are engrossed in their poker hands. Some things never change

Amongst the card sleights are the glide, double lift, forcing and palming cards but the one I think is one underestimated most in its value is that of “peeking”.

Developing the ability to sneak a peek at a card or cards whilst performing a card trick is quite an art and Here is a page that explains some of what is involved:
http://www.card-trick.com/sleights/peeking.htm