Card Stacking - Crazy Strong!

You've probably tried card stacking before, the usual line two up against each other, hoping to find the perfect balance.

Well, that's often a futile attempt: someone walking by knocks it over. 😶

But: with this different method of card stacking, crazy structures are possible.

And it all starts with using a square formation...enjoy! 🏦

Cards (playing card type).

Flat, stable surface, i.e. table.

Begin by taking 2 cards (good idea to have 4 available to begin with), and place one with the long side touching the table, and place the middle of the next card (with the long side touching the table) on the end of the first card - but make sure to hold both!

Rest the second card on the first card (you can let go now), and the place another card onto the middle of the second card and rest it there.

To complete the square, take the fourth card and put it onto the middle of the third card - and it will in turn meet up with the middle of the original card.

Take your time, and have patience! It takes time to get this step right. ⏰

*Note: it's always a good idea to hold onto the first card all the way through.

Okay, so now you have completed the first square! 🥳

(At least you should have by now)

Continue the square by *carefully* leaning the middle of another card onto any one of the ends of the original cards.

Keep doing this as much as you like...but be careful! One wrong move at this stage and part of it could come down in domino style.

The key is to place the next card so it leans onto the end of another card. Note that you should not place a new card in by pushing its' end onto another card; that = trouble. 🧨

Once you have expanded the foundations of your card house enough, you can put a 'roof' on top!

Place a layer of *slightly* overlapping cards on top of the ground floor - laying flat - and it's usually best to have these cards angled diagonally.

On to the first floor! ⏫

At this stage, with a ground floor + a roof, the structure is usually quite strong (although don't go blowing a fan at it 🙄).

To add to the grandeur of the house (or whatever it is), begin the same process again on the roof. Starting with one square, then adding out cards from that.

It is especially important to have a steady hand when doing this. Best case scenario, you'll have a 2 story building in no time!

Worst case scenario, your efforts could be in vain due to haste.

'Haste makes waste', so be careful and go slowly.

'Onwards and upwards!' ⏫

At this stage, you've mastered the basics: building the original square (and gaining a sense of achievement along with it); roofing that and building another floor...so just keep repeating the process! 🔄🔄🔄

Again, as you go, be warned that the structure becomes more like a game of Jenga (💭🤏😅) in reverse. One wrong push, the structure implodes.

But, as you go, the higher the chance that not all the structure collapses when something goes wrong, so...🤷

...and remember, variety is the spice of life; experiment with new shapes, sizes - and try modelling famous buildings...🕌 or see how much yours can hold. The weight a well built card house (such as this tutorial shows you how to do) can hold is quite surprising! 🏋🏼

By now, you've seen it all.

The original square; a true moment of accomplishment as you put the fourth card into place. ✅

A ground floor; and with it, the roof, building the foundations for a glorious card-stacking moment of prowess. ✅

The second floor...leveling up both your house of cards and your skills in the process. ⏫

You've probably also experienced the agony of watching your card house come tumbling down - midway through your ascent to the 12th floor. 😢

Unless you're the picture of steady-handed perfection. (What's your secret? 🤔)

Then you go beyond. What other glorious structures can you create? The Empire state building? Something that serves a purpose? Who knows? 💭💭💭

Whatever you do, just enjoy it, have patience and experiment!