Collection of the best advice. Master class on "How to build a house of cards"

Do you know how to build House of cards from ordinary playing cards without the use of glue or other additional means? This is a kind of art form that requires constant practice, the ability to focus and the pursuit of excellence.
The Guinness Book of World Records has recorded cases of building houses of cards 30 feet or more high. The current record is held by Brian Berg, an architect by profession and a house of cards builder by passion. He holds records in the sections "The highest house of cards" - a copy of the Dallas skyline (8.53 m) and "House of cards built from the largest number of cards" - a card copy of the Venetian Hotel in Macau, consisting of 4000 decks. Amazing, isn't it?


If you, inspired by Berg's feat, also decided to master the art of building buildings from cards, then just continue reading the article and learn the basic techniques for building houses of cards.

All you need from consumables is a deck of cards (or several if you decide to immediately conquer the heights) and nothing more. If you are a fan of playing cards with friends, then there is a deck in your home. Then just follow our instructions, step by step.

Step 1: Start with a base
Where does the construction of a house of cards begin? Of course, from the base, which acts as the foundation of our future building, makes it stable. To do this, you need to take two cards and put them in such a way that they look like "/\". The distance between the far ends of the card should be about 4-5 cm. The number of such blanks in the base depends on the estimated height of your house of cards. Approach the process of your creativity logically - each subsequent row will be less than the bottom one by exactly one blank. Once you have finished setting up the base, place a row of cards horizontally on it. Your base is ready.

Step 2: Building the floors
As soon as you finish working on creating the base, start building the next row. Again, we take two cards and set them according to the pattern of the base blanks. Now you need to be extremely careful not to destroy the result of your work. Each subsequent row will be one blank less than the previous one. For example, if your base is four pairs of cards, the first floor will be of three, the second of two, and the last, third of one. Everything, your house of cards is ready. By the way, if you are already ripe for serious projects and houses, then you may be interested in a smart home. Registration on the Russian website is quick and you can immediately begin to familiarize yourself with the possibilities of miracle houses.

It was pretty simple, wasn't it? And the tips below will make the process of building a house of cards even easier.

House of Cards Tips
You can use standard decks of cards, but it's better to use a non-new deck for learning. Used in-game cards are somewhat easier to work with as they are not as smooth and easier to install.
Choose a place without drafts, as any breath of wind can destroy your house of cards.
A sharp exhalation can also nullify all efforts.
The table without a tablecloth on which you sit should not be smooth.
In the process of learning, you can slightly moisten the edges of the cards.
Last but not least, be patient!

The smallest house of cards in the world

Thus, you will agree that if you follow the instructions, the process of building a house of cards becomes easy, fast and simple. Start with small buildings and gradually move to higher ones. As experience is gained, it will be possible to move on to mastering other techniques for building houses of cards. Build skyscrapers, stadiums and even domes. Good luck to you!

Content:

There are several ways to build a house of cards. The "classic" way, which you may have seen on TV or in the movies, is based on a series of triangular shapes that make up the foundation of a pyramid of cards. However, many professionals start their designs with squares or "cells" of four cards, which form a more solid foundation for complex structures.

Steps

1 triangular house

This is the "classic" house of cards that you might have seen in the movies: a complex but very stable construction. You will need to stack the cards in rows of triangles that form a pyramid.

  1. 1 Fold the first triangle. Such a "house" is the framework of the pyramid structure. Place the two cards against each other to form an inverted "V". The top edges of the cards should be touching, and the bottom edges should be at an equal distance from the central axis. First, practice making free-standing triangles, as your home design requires a large number of such elements.
  2. 2 Build a foundation. Make a continuous line of triangles, each consisting of two cards. The vertices of each triangle must be at a distance not exceeding the length of one card. The number of triangles at the base determines the possible height of your house of cards: each subsequent "floor" will have one less triangle. For example, if your base consists of three triangles, then the whole house will include three "floors"; by building a base of six triangles, you will have more space and be able to erect up to six floors. Start with a three-story house.
    • Push each new triangle into the base of the adjacent triangle. The result will be three triangles (they will take six cards) that will touch.
  3. 3 Overlap the triangles. Lay the card carefully on top of the first two triangles (let's call them the first and second). The map must be perfectly balanced between the vertices. Now lay another card between the second and third triangles. You will have a "base" of three triangles, covered by two cards (eight cards in total).
  4. 4 Build the next level. If your base is three triangles, then the next "floor" will be two. Try to fold each new triangle at the same angle as the two triangles below to maintain structural integrity. Place the base of each card on top of the bottom triangle. With these two triangles complete, place one overlapping card on the two vertices.
    • Be very careful. If you've done a good job with the base, it will be strong enough to hold new cards, but be careful not to inadvertently hit your structure. Install new cards with light and careful movements.
    • Having completed the construction of the second "floor", you will receive a pyramid consisting of thirteen cards: five triangles and three overlaps.
  5. 5 Add a top. To complete the construction of the house of cards, you need to place another triangle on top. Slowly and carefully place two cards at the same angle as all the other triangles. Hold them until they are properly positioned and then remove your hands when you are sure the top can stand on its own. If the design holds, then you have completed the construction of the house of cards!

2 Four-card cage

This is the most sustainable way to build large and complex house of cards. A four-card cage can support up to 320 grams per square centimeter, forming a foundation on which to build incredible structures. Some professionals do not recognize other ways of building houses, except for this.

  1. 1 Fold up the cage. First, place two cards in a slightly offset "T" shape. Hold each card in one hand with the ends perpendicular to the table. Lean them against each other to make another almost "T". Next, lean the third card against the central part of the card from the previous "T". Finish the cell with the fourth card and the letter "T" so that the four cards rest against each other, and there is a square cell in the middle.
    • This is the basic cell or "cell" of the four cards. This option is perhaps the most stable of all possible when building a house of cards. Think of this cage as a pattern that will be repeated in your design.
  2. 2 Make a "roof" or "ceiling". Overlap your four-card square with two cards. Then lay down two more cards (turning them 90 degrees) to complete the roof. Double overlap will give the structure additional stability.
  3. 3 Add a second floor. Carefully make a second square of four cards on top of the horizontal cards. You will get a stable two-story structure. You can add new floors until you run out of cards or until the height of the tower suits you. Cells of four cards are strong enough to build a large number of floors on them.
    • Add "wings" to the house by adding a few more T-pairs to the ground floor. Every time you add cards perpendicular to the table surface, don't forget to cover them with a "ceiling". This will strengthen your structure and give it the look of a house.
    • Turn on your imagination. This method gives you almost unlimited possibilities regarding the size of the house!

3 Troubleshooting

  1. 1 Use cheap cards. Expensive cards professional grade ones usually have a smooth and glossy finish and are therefore prone to sagging. Cheaper cards are usually rougher and not as slippery, so they stick together better.
  2. 2 Choose the right surface. Choose a safe and stable surface that won't move when you build the house. Try building your house on a raised surface like a pool table or raw wood. On smooth surfaces such as glass, the cards may come apart. A tablecloth or lining can be used to add relief, but be aware that such loose bases can move unexpectedly.
    • Make sure there is no draft! It is best to build a house of cards in a room with closed windows and doors without switched on hoods and fans. It will be a shame if a gust of draft destroys your painstaking work.
  3. 3 Keep calm. Your house may fall apart due to a trembling hand or a sudden cramp. Gently but securely hold each card between two fingers of your dominant hand. Install maps effortlessly.
    • Try to put the cards in the pauses between breaths or immediately after exhalation. Breathe deeply and be aware of the short gap between exhalation and inhalation. At this point, your body is in the most calm state, so it will be easier for you to control the shaking in your hands.
  • Do not use glue, tape, staples, paper clips, or other means of attachment. Do not bend the cards in an attempt to hook one onto the other, and do not make cuts to hold them together. These are all "tricks" that will not help you in any way when building a house of cards.
  • Try not to breathe on the house while you work. A strong exhalation will easily destroy your structure.
  • Be patient. Haste will only get in the way!
  • Cell: Hold one card in each hand with the long end parallel to the table. Lean them against each other to make something like a slightly offset letter "T". Fine. Now lean the third card against the middle of one of the previous cards to get another distorted "T". Complete the cell with a fourth card in the shape of a "T".

Are you wondering how to build a house of cards? In this master class, we will talk in detail about the entire system for creating houses from playing cards! There are several options for creating a house of cards. The classic method, which you can see in many movies or cartoons, is based on building a solid foundation of three cards. Such a base strongly resembles a pyramid. However, numerous experts follow a different system for building a house of cards, creating a base of not three cards, but four. In this way they form the strongest foundation for difficult and large structures.

Method one: triangular house

This is a classic house of cards that everyone can spot in a cinematic project. It is a complex and extremely stable system. You need to lay out playing cards in triangles, thus forming a pyramid.

First stage

Fold the first triangle (pyramid). This kind of "house" is considered the framework of the entire pyramid. Connect two playing cards to each other so that you get an inverted "V". The tops of both cards must be connected, while the lower parts must stand directly parallel to each other. First, practice installing such pyramids separately so as not to accidentally destroy your buildings. Thus, after creating a significant number of such pyramids, one large house of cards will turn out.

Stage two: determine the height

We continue to create the pyramids that were described in the first stage. We will need enough playing cards, but the number of pyramids depends on how big the house of cards you want to make. Between the tops of the pyramids there should be a distance equal to one playing card. The number of triangles at the base sets the likely height of your house of cards: any next floor will contain fewer pyramids at its base. For example, if your base has three pyramids at the base, then the whole house will consist of three floors. Having built the base of six pyramids, you will have more space and the ability to build as many as six floors. With such a geometric progression, a house of cards can grow.

Try first to create the simplest house, at the base of which there will be only three pyramids. Don't forget, to learn how to build a house of cards, you need to read to the end!

Don't forget to rest the new card pyramid on the base of the nearby pyramid. As a result, you will get the strongest foundation for the future house.

The third stage: overlapping the pyramids

Carefully place one card on top of the first and second pyramids. Installation should be done carefully, try not to hurt or destroy the pyramids. The circuit must be perfectly balanced with the tops thus strengthened. Then place another card on top of the second and third pyramids. And now you have the simplest base of three pyramids, closed on top with two playing cards. In total, we only needed eight playing cards.

Fourth stage: next floor

How to build a house of cards next? We are building the next floor. In the event that your base consists of three pyramids, then the next floor will consist of only two. Try with extreme accuracy to place the first pyramid of two cards, touching the tops of the first and second pyramids of the first floor with the tips. It would be best to take one card in both hands and, connecting them with the tops, at the same time place them in their place. Place the second pyramid on the second floor in the same way. After this stage is successfully completed, it remains to place one overlapping card on the tops of the second floor.

In the construction of the second floor of our house of cards, only five cards were needed.

Be very careful. In the event that you succeeded in putting the second floor well, this means that the base turned out to be strong enough. And it can be saved for the future for more majestic and complex buildings. However, remember to watch your movements. After all, you can accidentally hook and destroy the entire house of cards at any time. Place the rest of the cards with extreme accuracy and "airiness" in movements.

After completing the construction of the second floor, you will receive a pyramid consisting of 13 playing cards: five pyramids and three ceilings. But how to build a house of cards out of 36 cards? Very simple, you just need to add twice as many pyramids to the base.

Step Five: Adding the Top

In order to completely complete our construction of the house of cards, it is still necessary to build the top. It consists of a single pyramid (two cards). Slowly and carefully place the two cards on the single card that overlaps the second floor. Take your time and hold them until they are steady on bottom map. Once this has happened, you can remove your hands. But only if you are sure that the top will not immediately fall, destroying the rest of the floors of your house of cards. In the event that everything worked out, you can congratulate yourself on the successful construction of a house of cards! So our master class called "How to make a house of cards" is coming to an end, from 36 cards you can make a whole mansion! Try and don't be afraid to experiment with the number of cards.

Method two: building cubes

This method can be considered more stable, but then a much larger number of cards will be required to create a house of cards. A house of cards out of 36 will no longer work. The entire construction of floors follows the same principle as in the first method. Only here it is already necessary to build not pyramids, but cubes consisting of four playing cards. Many specialists choose this particular method of building card houses.

I hope that you have found the answer to your question: "How to build a house from cards?"

Are you wondering how to build a house of cards? In this master class, we will talk in detail about the entire system for creating houses from playing cards! There are several options for creating a house of cards. The classic method, which you can see in many movies or cartoons, is based on building a solid foundation of three cards. Such a base strongly resembles a pyramid. However, numerous experts follow a different system for building a house of cards, creating a base of not three cards, but four. In this way they form the strongest foundation for difficult and large structures.

Method one: triangular house

This is a classic house of cards that everyone can spot in a cinematic project. It is a complex and extremely stable system. You need to lay out playing cards in triangles, thus forming a pyramid.

First stage

Fold the first triangle (pyramid). This kind of "house" is considered the framework of the entire pyramid. Connect two playing cards to each other so that you get an inverted "V". The tops of both cards must be connected, while the lower parts must stand directly parallel to each other. First, practice installing such pyramids separately so as not to accidentally destroy your buildings. Thus, after creating a significant number of such pyramids, one large house of cards will turn out.

Stage two: determine the height

We continue to create the pyramids that were described in the first stage. We will need enough playing cards, but the number of pyramids depends on how big the house of cards you want to make. Between the tops of the pyramids there should be a distance equal to one playing card. The number of triangles at the base sets the likely height of your house of cards: any next floor will contain fewer pyramids at its base. For example, if your base has three pyramids at the base, then the whole house will consist of three floors. Having built the base of six pyramids, you will have more space and the ability to build as many as six floors. With such a geometric progression, a house of cards can grow.

Try first to create the simplest house, at the base of which there will be only three pyramids. Don't forget, to learn how to build a house of cards, you need to read to the end!

Don't forget to rest the new card pyramid on the base of the nearby pyramid. As a result, you will get the strongest foundation for the future house.

The third stage: overlapping the pyramids

Carefully place one card on top of the first and second pyramids. Installation should be done carefully, try not to hurt or destroy the pyramids. The circuit must be perfectly balanced with the tops thus strengthened. Then place another card on top of the second and third pyramids. And now you have the simplest base of three pyramids, closed on top with two playing cards. In total, we only needed eight playing cards.

Fourth stage: next floor

How to build a house of cards next? We are building the next floor. In the event that your base consists of three pyramids, then the next floor will consist of only two. Try with extreme accuracy to place the first pyramid of two cards, touching the tops of the first and second pyramids of the first floor with the tips. It would be best to take one card in both hands and, connecting them with the tops, at the same time place them in their place. Place the second pyramid on the second floor in the same way. After this stage is successfully completed, it remains to place one overlapping card on the tops of the second floor.

In the construction of the second floor of our house of cards, only five cards were needed.

Be very careful. In the event that you succeeded in putting the second floor well, this means that the base turned out to be strong enough. And it can be saved for the future for more majestic and complex buildings. However, remember to watch your movements. After all, you can accidentally hook and destroy the entire house of cards at any time. Place the rest of the cards with extreme accuracy and "airiness" in movements.

After completing the construction of the second floor, you will receive a pyramid consisting of 13 playing cards: five pyramids and three ceilings. But how to build a house of cards out of 36 cards? Very simple, you just need to add twice as many pyramids to the base.

Step Five: Adding the Top

In order to completely complete our construction of the house of cards, it is still necessary to build the top. It consists of a single pyramid (two cards). Slowly and carefully place the two cards on the single card that overlaps the second floor. Take your time and hold them until they become stable on the bottom card. Once this has happened, you can remove your hands. But only if you are sure that the top will not immediately fall, destroying the rest of the floors of your house of cards. In the event that everything worked out, you can congratulate yourself on the successful construction of a house of cards! So our master class called "How to make a house of cards" is coming to an end, from 36 cards you can make a whole mansion! Try and don't be afraid to experiment with the number of cards.

Method two: building cubes

This method can be considered more stable, but then a much larger number of cards will be required to create a house of cards. A house of cards out of 36 will no longer work. The entire construction of floors follows the same principle as in the first method. Only here it is already necessary to build not pyramids, but cubes consisting of four playing cards. Many specialists choose this particular method of building card houses.

I hope that you have found the answer to your question: "How to build a house from cards?"

There are several ways to build a house of cards. The "classic" way, which you may have seen on TV or in the movies, is based on a series of triangular shapes that make up the foundation of a pyramid of cards. However, many professionals start their designs with squares or "cells" of four cards, which form a more solid foundation for complex structures.

Steps

triangular house

This is the "classic" house of cards that you might have seen in the movies: a complex but very stable construction. You will need to stack the cards in rows of triangles that form a pyramid.

    Fold the first triangle. Such a "house" is the framework of the pyramid structure. Place the two cards against each other to form an inverted "V". The top edges of the cards should be touching, and the bottom edges should be at an equal distance from the central axis. First, practice making free-standing triangles, as your home design requires a large number of such elements.

    Build a foundation. Make a continuous line of triangles, each consisting of two cards. The vertices of each triangle must be at a distance not exceeding the length of one card. The number of triangles at the base determines the possible height of your house of cards: each subsequent "floor" will have one less triangle. For example, if your base consists of three triangles, then the whole house will include three "floors"; by building a base of six triangles, you will have more space and be able to erect up to six floors. Start with a three-story house.

    • Push each new triangle into the base of the adjacent triangle. The result will be three triangles (they will take six cards) that will touch.
  1. Overlap the triangles. Lay the card carefully on top of the first two triangles (let's call them the first and second). The map must be perfectly balanced between the vertices. Now lay another card between the second and third triangles. You will have a "base" of three triangles, covered by two cards (eight cards in total).

    Build the next level. If your base is three triangles, then the next "floor" will be two. Try to fold each new triangle at the same angle as the two triangles below to maintain structural integrity. Place the base of each card on top of the bottom triangle. With these two triangles complete, place one overlapping card on the two vertices.

    • Be very careful. If you've done a good job with the base, it will be strong enough to hold new cards, but be careful not to inadvertently hit your structure. Install new cards with light and careful movements.
    • Having completed the construction of the second "floor", you will receive a pyramid consisting of thirteen cards: five triangles and three overlaps.
  2. Add a top. To complete the construction of the house of cards, you need to place another triangle on top. Slowly and carefully place two cards at the same angle as all the other triangles. Hold them until they are properly positioned and then remove your hands when you are sure the top can stand on its own. If the design holds, then you have completed the construction of the house of cards!

Cage of four cards

This is the most sustainable way to build large and complex house of cards. A four-card cage can support up to 320 grams per square centimeter, forming a foundation on which to build incredible structures. Some professionals do not recognize other ways of building houses, except for this.

    Fold up the cage. First, place two cards in a slightly offset "T" shape. Hold each card in one hand with the ends perpendicular to the table. Lean them against each other to make another almost "T". Next, lean the third card against the central part of the card from the previous "T". Finish the cell with the fourth card and the letter "T" so that the four cards rest against each other, and there is a square cell in the middle.

    • This is the basic cell or "cell" of the four cards. This option is perhaps the most stable of all possible when building a house of cards. Think of this cage as a pattern that will be repeated in your design.
  1. Make a "roof" or "ceiling". Overlap your four-card square with two cards. Then lay down two more cards (turning them 90 degrees) to complete the roof. Double overlap will give the structure additional stability.

    Add a second floor. Carefully make a second square of four cards on top of the horizontal cards. You will get a stable two-story structure. You can add new floors until you run out of cards or until the height of the tower suits you. Cells of four cards are strong enough to build a large number of floors on them.

    • Add "wings" to the house by adding a few more T-pairs to the ground floor. Every time you add cards perpendicular to the table surface, don't forget to cover them with a "ceiling". This will strengthen your structure and give it the look of a house.
    • Turn on your imagination. This method gives you almost unlimited possibilities regarding the size of the house!

Problem solving

  1. Use cheap cards. Expensive professional quality cards usually have a smooth and glossy finish and are therefore prone to chipping. Cheaper cards are usually rougher and not as slippery, so they stick together better.

  2. Choose the right surface. Choose a safe and stable surface that won't move when you build the house. Try building your house on a raised surface like a pool table or raw wood. On smooth surfaces such as glass, the cards may come apart. A tablecloth or lining can be used to add relief, but be aware that such loose bases can move unexpectedly.

    • Make sure there is no draft! It is best to build a house of cards in a room with closed windows and doors without switched on hoods and fans. It will be a shame if a gust of draft destroys your painstaking work.

Related publications