Trick Effect & Routine:
The following are mind-reading effects which may be performed over the telephone, internet, or just by
yourself. Properly presented, it will look like you can really read minds. However, there's no 100%
chance of success in these experiments.
Preparation:
None.
Method:
Effect no 1:
Draw the number 37 really big on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope. Give the
envelope to the spectator to hold and then begin the experiment in telepathy.
"This test is unique in the fact that I'm going to show you your own mind-reading capabilities," you
say. "I'm going to think of a number in my head and it will come to your mind. Just think of the first
number which comes to your head after I've given you the directions."
This said, you proceed as follows:
"I'm thinking of a two-digit number. Both two digits are different from each other and the number is
odd. The number I'm thinking of is between 10 and 50."
This is where the interesting part comes in. Most people will think of the number 37 and after they
say this, ask them to open up the envelope and be amazed. If you fail, the spectator will be to blame.
Effect no 2:
This test is almost the same as effect number 1, except you draw the number 68 inside a huge
envelope instead.
Now, proceed as follows:
"I'm thinking of a number between 50 and 100. Both two digits of this number are odd and different."
Most people select 68. Once said, get the person to open the envelope and be surprised. Be warned
however that this effect works less times than the previous one.
Effect no 3:
In this experiment you use playing cards. Tell the spectator you are going to draw out 5
random cards from the deck. Take out the 7 of Clubs, The Ace of Diamonds, the King of Hearts, the 4 of
Hearts, and the 9 of Diamonds.
Lay out the cards on a table and place the Ace in the center. Now, proceed as follows "You may be
wondering why I placed the ace in the center. Perhaps it's for a reason, perhaps not. Perhaps you
wonder why I chose only one black card. We'll get to that later. Now what I want you to do is to think
of a card"
Once they have thought of a card, shuffle the small packet and ask the spectator to place their hand
palm up on the table. Place the 4 of Hearts face down on their hand and ask them to name their card.
90% of the time it will be the 4 of Hearts. This is because of what you said at the beginning about the
ace and the 7. The king seems to suspicious and the 9 of Diamonds is considered unlucky. So there you
have an amazing display of mind-reading. In the right hands, these effects seem to spark of
supernatural ability. It's all great entertainment. I'd save these effects for special occassions if I
were you though.
Comments:
There is also an effect where you ask the spectator to draw two shapes and they end up being a triangle and a circle.