A "stacked deck" is simply a deck of cards that has previously been arranged into a specific order. It is a very useful magic principle that can be found in powerful tricks such as "The $1000 Card Trick Test" and "Eight Kings Killer".

Here is the exact order for the most popular stack in magic known as the "8 Kings Stack"...

8C KH 3S 10D 2C 7H 9S 5D QC 4H AS 6D JC 8H KS 3D 10C 2H 7S 9D 5C QH 4S AD 6C JH 8S KD 3C 10H 2S 7D 9C 5H QS 4D AC 6H JS 8D KC 3H 10S 2D 7C 9H 5S QD 4C AH 6S JD

NOTE: Many magicians and magic books use the above shorthand when naming cards. Instead of writing "The Six of Diamonds", they'll just write "6D". It's much easier and faster that way.

KEY:

• "C" = Clubs
• "H" = Hearts
• "S" = Spades
• "D" = Diamonds
• "J" = Jack
• "Q" = Queen
• "K" = King
• "A" = Ace

Right now you may be thinking, "WHAT! That looks completely random! How can there be a 'specific order' to all that nonsense?"

Let's break it down.

The first thing you might notice is that it alternates between red cards and black cards. Also, the suits are always in the following order: Clubs, Hearts, Spades, Diamonds or: C, H, S, D.

"CHASED":

An easy way to remember the order is by using the word "chased". You'll know what I mean when I write it this way: "CHaSeD". Get it now? Good.

So the next time a magician says to put the suits in "chased order", that's what he means...Clubs, Hearts, Spades, Diamonds.

THE 8 KINGS RHYME:

What's harder to notice is the fact that after every 13 cards, a new repeating pattern starts again. That pattern is "8 K 3 10 2 7 9 5 Q 4 A 6 J". Seems difficult to remember, but I have a shortcut for you!

"Eight Kings threatened to save ninety-five Queens for one sick Knave."

When you say that little rhyme, you've actually said each card in the above repeating pattern (or something that sounds like each card). Use the table below and you'll see what I mean.

By the way, "Knave" is just another word for "Jack".

GETTING SET UP:

To set up this stack, first sort all the cards into suits. One pile for clubs, a pile for hearts, a pile for spades and a pile for diamonds. Then put all four stacks on the table in "chased order". Now all you have to do is say that rhyme to yourself four times and move the cards accordingly.

When you say "Eight", take the 8 from the pile all the way to the left and begin a NEW pile with it. When you say "Kings" take the king from the next pile (the hearts pile) and put it on top of the 8C. Continue like this until all the cards are in one pile. You now have a stacked deck ready for many magic tricks!