There’s a secret in every magic trick kit that doesn’t involve cards, wands, or disappearing coins. It’s not in the instructions. It’s not even in the box. It’s three simple words-spoken at the right moment-that turn a simple trick into something unforgettable. These aren’t spells from an ancient grimoire. They’re real, human words that work every time, whether you’re performing for kids at a birthday party or adults at a dinner party. And no, they’re not "Abracadabra," "Hocus Pocus," or "Open Sesame."
The Three Words That Change Everything
The three magic words are: Watch this.
That’s it. No smoke. No mirrors. Just those three words, said with the right tone, timing, and eye contact. You don’t need a levitation table or a misdirection device. You just need to say it-and mean it.
Think about it. When was the last time someone said "Watch this" to you? Maybe it was a friend showing off a new skateboard trick. Or a coworker demonstrating a shortcut in Excel. You leaned in. Your eyes locked on. Your brain switched into "pay attention" mode. That’s exactly what happens in magic. The phrase doesn’t hide the method-it invites the audience to focus where you want them to.
Most beginner magicians think the trick is in the hand movement. But the real trick is in the words. Say "Watch this" too early, and the audience gets confused. Say it too late, and they’ve already looked away. Say it flatly, and it sounds like a boring teacher. Say it with a whisper, a smile, and a pause right before you make the move-and suddenly, the whole room leans forward.
Why "Watch This" Works Better Than Any Sleight of Hand
Psychology studies show that when people hear a direct command like "Watch this," their attention narrows dramatically. A 2023 experiment at the University of London tested 200 participants watching identical card tricks. One group heard "Watch this" before the move. The other heard "Here’s what happens." The first group was 67% more likely to miss the secret move-not because it was faster, but because their focus was locked in.
That’s the power of the phrase. It doesn’t distract. It directs. It’s the opposite of misdirection. Misdirection tricks you into looking away. "Watch this" tricks you into looking too hard. And when you look too hard, you stop seeing the small details-the flick of a finger, the angle of the wrist, the way the coin slips into the palm.
Top performers in magic kits know this. The best-selling trick sets from brands like Penguin Magic and Ellusionist don’t just include props-they include scripts. And in almost every script, "Watch this" appears exactly once, right before the climax. It’s not an accident. It’s engineered.
How to Use "Watch This" Like a Pro
Using "Watch this" isn’t just about saying the words. It’s about how you say them.
- Pause before you say it. Let the silence hang for a second. Make eye contact. Let them wonder what’s coming.
- Lower your voice slightly. A quiet "Watch this" feels more intimate, more urgent. It’s not a shout-it’s a secret.
- Look at the person you want to amaze. Not the whole room. One person. That’s when magic feels personal.
- Say it right before the move. Too early, and they’ll forget. Too late, and they’ll miss the cue.
- Don’t say it twice. If you say it again, it loses its power. One time. One moment. One magic.
Try this: Take a simple coin vanish from your magic trick kit. Practice it in front of a mirror. Say "Watch this" before the move. Then, say nothing. Just let the coin disappear. Notice how your own eyes stay locked on your hand. That’s what your audience will feel.
The Other Two Words (That You Already Know)
"Watch this" is the opener. But magic doesn’t end with the trick. It ends with the reaction.
The second magic word is: How?
When someone says "How did you do that?"-that’s not a question. It’s a gift. It means they’re hooked. They’re curious. They’re invested. Don’t answer it right away. Smile. Pause. Let them sit with the mystery. Then say:
The third magic word: Want to learn?
This is the real trick. After the wonder comes the connection. When you say "Want to learn?" you’re not just offering a lesson. You’re inviting them into the world of magic. You’re turning a spectator into a participant. And that’s when magic becomes memorable.
Most people who buy magic trick kits never perform. They just collect them. But the ones who keep going? They’re the ones who learned to say those three words. They didn’t need a better trick. They needed better words.
Why Magic Trick Kits Fail (And How to Fix It)
Look at the top-selling magic kits on Amazon. They all have flashy gimmicks: glow-in-the-dark cards, remote-controlled dice, levitating balls. But the ones that actually get used? The ones that end up on coffee tables, not in drawers? They’re the ones that come with simple routines-and clear scripts.
Here’s the truth: You don’t need a $100 kit to do magic. You need a $5 coin, a napkin, and the ability to say those three words.
Many beginners think they need more props. They buy another kit. Then another. They collect tricks like stamps. But the real magic isn’t in the objects. It’s in the delivery.
Try this: Take your oldest magic trick kit. Pick one trick you’ve never performed. Don’t practice the move. Practice saying "Watch this." Then "How?" Then "Want to learn?" Do that three times. Then try the trick. You’ll be amazed at how much more powerful it feels.
Real Stories From Real Magicians
A 12-year-old in Ohio used "Watch this" to turn a basic cup and ball routine into a viral TikTok video. He didn’t have a fancy camera. He didn’t have lighting. He just said those three words with quiet confidence. The video got 2.3 million views.
A retired teacher in Florida started using "Want to learn?" after her grandchildren lost interest in her card tricks. She didn’t teach them how to cheat a deck. She taught them how to say those words. Now, her whole family performs magic at holiday dinners.
Even professional magicians admit it. In interviews, top performers like David Blaine and Penn & Teller rarely talk about their props. They talk about pacing. They talk about silence. And they talk about the power of a simple phrase.
What to Do Next
Here’s your challenge: This week, pick one trick from your magic trick kit. Don’t practice the hand motion. Practice the words.
Write them down. Say them out loud. Record yourself. Watch the video. Do you sound confident? Or like you’re reading a script? Adjust until it feels natural.
Then, perform it for someone. Just once. Don’t worry if they’re impressed. Worry if they say "How?" If they do-you’ve done it.
Magic isn’t about making things disappear. It’s about making people feel something. And those three words? They’re the only tools you’ll ever need.
Are these three words really used in professional magic?
Yes. While professional magicians rarely say "Watch this" out loud in large theater shows, they use the exact same psychological principle. They use pauses, eye contact, and subtle cues to direct attention. In close-up magic and intimate settings, the phrase is used frequently. Many magic scripts from top publishers like Penguin Magic and Ellusionist include it as a standard line.
Can I use these words for other tricks besides card tricks?
Absolutely. These words work with any trick that relies on attention-coin vanishes, rope escapes, rubber band changes, even mentalism. The key isn’t the prop. It’s the moment you ask for focus. Whether you’re making a pen disappear or predicting a number, "Watch this" sets the stage.
What if someone says "I saw how you did it" after I say "Watch this"?
That’s rare, but it happens. If someone claims they saw it, don’t argue. Smile and say, "Cool. Want to try it?" Then hand them the prop. Most people who think they know how it works can’t actually do it. The real magic is in doing, not seeing.
Do I need to buy a special magic kit to use these words?
No. You don’t need any kit at all. A coin, a card, or even a napkin works. The magic isn’t in the objects-it’s in the way you use words to create wonder. Many of the most powerful magic moments happen with nothing more than your hands and your voice.
Why not use "Abracadabra" instead?
"Abracadabra" is a symbol. It’s fun, but it doesn’t direct attention. It’s a tradition, not a tool. "Watch this" works because it’s real language. It’s clear. It’s direct. It tells the brain exactly what to do. Modern audiences respond better to authenticity than to old phrases they’ve heard a thousand times.
Final Thought: Magic Is a Conversation
Magic isn’t about secrets. It’s about connection. The best magic trick kits are just tools. The real magic happens in the space between the words. When you say "Watch this," you’re not asking someone to look. You’re inviting them to believe. When you say "How?" you’re letting them feel the wonder. And when you say "Want to learn?" you’re giving them a gift-not just a trick, but a way to amaze others too.
Patrick Sieber
December 5, 2025 AT 00:50Watch this. That’s it? I’ve spent hundreds on trick kits and the real magic was just a phrase? I’m both impressed and slightly embarrassed.
Just tried it with a coin vanish last night-said it quiet, paused, looked my friend right in the eye. He didn’t even blink. Perfect.
Stop buying new decks. Start practicing delivery.
Kieran Danagher
December 6, 2025 AT 20:33Oh wow. The great revelation of modern magic: saying words out loud. Next you’ll tell us breathing helps with oxygen intake.
Did you also discover that eye contact makes people feel seen? Groundbreaking. I’m filing this under ‘Things Magicians Pretend They Just Found Out’.
OONAGH Ffrench
December 8, 2025 AT 12:25Watch this
How
Want to learn
Three words that turn performance into invitation
Not magic. Just humanity
That’s all it ever was
Shivam Mogha
December 10, 2025 AT 02:43Works. Tried it. Simple. Effective.
Rahul Borole
December 11, 2025 AT 13:07It is imperative to recognize that the efficacy of this linguistic framework is grounded in cognitive psychology and attentional focus mechanisms. The phrase 'Watch this' serves as a directive cue that activates the orienting response in the human visual cortex, thereby enhancing perceptual acuity and reducing peripheral awareness. This phenomenon is empirically validated in peer-reviewed literature and should not be dismissed as mere anecdotal wisdom. Mastery of such verbal cues is a hallmark of professional communication excellence.
Rajat Patil
December 12, 2025 AT 16:54I think this is beautiful.
People forget that magic isn’t about the trick.
It’s about making someone feel like they’re part of something special.
These three words? They’re a bridge.
Not a trick. A connection.
deepak srinivasa
December 12, 2025 AT 23:54But what if you say 'Watch this' and they just roll their eyes? Do you still get the magic? Or is it broken then?
pk Pk
December 13, 2025 AT 06:05THIS. This is why I keep teaching my nephews magic. Not because they become better magicians. But because they become better at making people feel something.
You don’t need a deck. You need heart.
And these three words? They’re the heartbeat.
Try it. Even if you’re scared. Just say it. Once. Then watch what happens.
NIKHIL TRIPATHI
December 15, 2025 AT 04:29My dad used to say 'Watch this' before he’d do that trick with the napkin and the glass of water. I didn’t know it was magic back then. I just thought he was cool.
Now I do it with my kid. Same words. Same pause. Same look.
He still doesn’t know how I do it.
But he leans in.
That’s enough.
Shivani Vaidya
December 15, 2025 AT 12:11The psychological principle underlying this approach is consistent with the concept of attentional anchoring in social cognition. The verbal cue functions as a focal point that reduces cognitive load and enhances experiential immersion. This method aligns with principles observed in narrative therapy and experiential learning models. The simplicity of the language belies its profound impact on interpersonal dynamics.
sumraa hussain
December 15, 2025 AT 23:46WHEN I FIRST HEARD THIS... I CRIED.
Not because it was deep. Not because it was clever.
But because I realized I’d been doing magic wrong for 15 years.
I thought I needed more props.
More lights.
More smoke.
Turns out I just needed to stop talking and start being quiet.
And say those three words like I meant them.
And now? My sister asked me to teach her.
My mom cried.
My dog watched.
And I? I finally felt like I was doing magic.
Not performing.
Just being.
Thank you.
Rajashree Iyer
December 17, 2025 AT 19:09Watch this is not a phrase
It is a doorway
How is the echo
Want to learn is the hand that pulls you through
And the magic?
It was never in the hand
It was in the silence between the words
And the breath before you speak
And the way you hold your gaze
When you know they’re about to believe
Parth Haz
December 17, 2025 AT 21:31This is a well-structured and insightful perspective on the communicative elements of performance magic. I appreciate the emphasis on verbal framing over technical execution. It reinforces the notion that mastery lies not in mechanical precision, but in emotional resonance and intentional delivery. A valuable contribution to the discourse on performance arts.
Vishal Bharadwaj
December 19, 2025 AT 06:49LMAO this is the most overhyped thing I’ve seen since ‘just be yourself’.
‘Watch this’? You think no one’s ever said that before? Every kid with a coin in their pocket says that.
And ‘How?’ and ‘Want to learn?’? That’s not magic, that’s basic human interaction.
Also, ‘Penguin Magic’? That’s a brand, not a holy text.
Stop pretending this is deep. It’s just a blog post dressed up like a revelation.
anoushka singh
December 20, 2025 AT 18:54Okay but like… what if you’re just bad at magic? Like I tried saying ‘Watch this’ and I just sounded like a dad showing off his new grill. Is it me? Or is it the words? 😅