How to Place Props on a Magician’s Close-Up Mat

Have you ever sat down in front of a close-up mat with one deck of cards placed squarely in the center of it? I bet you have—at least a thousand times, maybe more.

Do we place the deck like this with good reason, or do magicians place cards in the center of the close-up mat without asking why?

What happens if you move the deck away from the center of the close-up mat? You might be surprised to learn that, actually, a lot happens in the minds of the spectators based on how you handle your props.

Even something as simple as placing objects on the close-up mat can trigger emotions in the spectator and draw their focus in the direction you want.

Everything I am about to teach is based on research, and you can apply these insights to any surface you use in your performances, whether it's a mat, a table, or even an entire stage.

We will assume the point of view of the spectator for every photo example below and use cards to demonstrate – though you could just as easily use coins, balls, or any other items you perform magic with.

The Center

Look at these images. What do you feel?

According to the psychology of perception, every time you observe something, you tend to center the object of your interest in your gaze.

Studies on children’s drawings show that they tend to start their doodles in the middle of the page rather than on the margins. Basically, you are born with a mental predisposition for the center.

Center = Important

Easy, right? But that’s not all. A deck of cards in the center of the close-up mat also conveys feelings of solidity, symmetry, and completeness.

On the other hand, if you place the deck off-center, you’ll create a dynamic, unstable, or even restless image.