Magic Stack Pro is a deck arrangement calculator for card magicians. You tell the app what you want the deck to look like after a series of shuffles and cuts, and it works backwards to calculate the exact starting arrangement you need. Here is how to get started.
The Three Modes
Magic Stack Pro offers three ways to define your target deck arrangement. Each mode feeds into the same calculation engine — the difference is how you specify what you want.
Custom Texas Hold’em
This is the most popular mode for card magic routines. You specify exactly which cards each player receives and which cards appear on the flop, turn, and river. The app uses the standard Texas Hold’em deal pattern — the most commonly requested format for card magic performances. Set up to 10 player hands, choose the community cards, and Magic Stack Pro calculates the starting stack that produces your exact deal outcome.
Preset Stacks
Load one of four classic memorized stacks used by performers for over a century: Si Stebbins, Eight Kings, Hungry Jackass, or New Deck Order. Select a preset, add your operations, and the app instantly calculates the starting arrangement.
Fully Custom Stack
For complete control, specify all 52 card positions manually. Use the drag and drop editor, the card picker wheels, simple text entry, or import a text file.
This mode is perfect for working with stack methods you’ve purchased from your favorite magic creators.
Adding Operations
Once you have defined your target arrangement, add the sequence of operations you plan to perform in front of your audience. Magic Stack Pro supports four operation types:
- Out-Faro — the top and bottom cards stay in place during the weave
- In-Faro — the top card moves inward by one position
- Cut — a standard cut at position 26 (the midpoint)
- Custom Cut — a cut at any depth you specify
Add operations in the order you will perform them. The app applies the inverse of each operation in reverse to calculate your starting deck.
Saving Your Work
Tap Save Stack to store your calculation. Give it a descriptive name — something like “Four Aces Routine” rather than “Stack 3” — so you can find it quickly backstage. All saved stacks are stored locally on your device and available anytime from the Saved Stacks screen.
You can also save complete routines that combine multiple stacks with notes for each step of your performance.
The Deal Simulator
Before taking a stack to the stage, use the Deal Simulator to visualize the result. It shows your calculated starting deck being dealt out card by card, so you can verify that every card lands exactly where you intended. Turn your device to landscape mode for the full simulator view.
Magic Stack Pro is designed for entertainment and educational use in card magic. Whether you are building your first routine or refining a professional act, the app handles the math so you can focus on your performance.