**Card Control** is the practice of manipulating the position of a selected card within a deck to achieve a desired outcome in magic or mentalism performances. It is a fundamental skill in card magic, enabling magicians to create illusions such as locating a chosen card, controlling its placement, or setting up for more complex effects. Card control techniques vary in complexity, ranging from simple methods like the key card principle and the double undercut to advanced sleight-of-hand moves like the Classic Pass (or Classic Shift), Cull, Side Slip (or Side Steal), or Diagonal Palm Shift.

Magicians use card control to maintain an illusion of randomness while secretly manipulating the deck. Techniques like false shuffles, cuts, and peeks often disguise the control process, ensuring the audience remains unaware of any manipulation. In addition to sleight-of-hand, psychological strategies such as misdirection and timing, are also employed to divert attention during critical moments. In mentalism, card control may be used to enhance the perception of mind-reading or prediction by allowing the performer to reveal a thought-of or selected card in a seemingly impossible manner. Mastery of card control is essential for creating convincing performances that captivate audiences.