I am just wondering if anyone currently has been using this effect/routine in their show and what kind of response you are getting.

I have been using this with both adult and kids, and although it is an awesome routine, I just don't seem to be getting the jaw dropping factor I thought I would with it. Is it just me?

Snidini

May be just you. High energy -- sudden movement and intense "trying" on discovery all add to the surprise gasps. All are needed to get others truly involved too!

Are you presenting it in the right context? Are you presenting it in a "body language" way? Meaning are you creating an atmosphere up front that you are going to tell from their body signals whether or not they are holding the yellow or black ball? This will create a suspense where all spectators are interested and will form their own guesses. Of course, they will wonder how on earth you got it all right.

Presented this way, it should create a good reaction.

Well,

Are you stressing the fact that they are playing for money(what kind of bill are you using? big enough?) and that they have all the advantage and "you must trust your body language reading"?

Hi from Spain,

Carlos Pérez

I want to thank all who have responded to my post. I do play up the atmosphere whereby there is suspense, mystery, and melodrama.

Carlos, thanks for the idea about putting forth a "bet"/money to enhance the performance. I will try this and see how things go. Thanks.

Snidini

I do think the Money bet Carlos is talking about is in Gauci Eye-to-Eye effect. Am I right here Carlos? Whereas Body Language is four yellow balls and one black ball.

I do not believe you have to play for money in Body Language, but you should build it up so that the rest of the audience starts looking at the five people and form their own guesses.

I always start with body language. I adopted the thinking of Chuck Hickok - start with something that COULD be done.

I work hard to build up the atmosphere among the spectators. With the last to balls left, there is a timing thing to get the effect. You have to wait. (aybe that is the problem?) You can't wait too long, though. You have to have guts, not to be in a hurry.

I manage to get real good effect out of this. Not as with a "pure" mind reading, but I have to see it in the context - it sets the frames and credibility for the rest of the effects that I do - that is pure mind reading.

Sorry, it's true. The context I was talking about refers to the Eye-to-Eye effect.
For Body Language, I think that the most important moment, and that is when you have to build up tension, is the final reveal.

Have you seen Max Maven performing the original effect? Maybe that gives you an idea. You mustn't seem as if you were sure of yourself, but instead, act like you doubt. You close your eyes as if you were analyzing gestures in your mind, then you approach two of the spectators (one is the right one). Again look at them, then pause, build up tension, and let that tension explode with a strong "You have the ball!"

Well, that's the way I think it would work better to get good reactions.

Carlos Pérez

Carlos,

Exactly! You have to look a bit uncertain--- or, should I rather say, "under pressure"--- and then look relieved after success.

Max Maven was my inspiration for the presentation. In fact, I use parts of the Karutsuke outline too.

I like this effect, I have seen Derren Brown perform this for several thousand people and get a great effect. Not bad for the money it costs hu?

OK I am looking for this effect if anyone is selling it you can email me

templeruk2000@yahoo.co.uk

Regards

We do this effect as a two person bit during a series of mentalist effects in our various shows.

If we are performing in a casino, for example, we set it up as Pat being able to read people at the poker table and know if they are bluffing. I pass out the balls and Pat does the work (see Corinda).

If it is a family show, we set it up that your mother always knows what you are doing and she can tell if you are telling the truth etc... Again, I pass out the balls and Pat does the work.

The effect itself plays very strong because Pat sells it. We often have adults throwing up their hands to volunteer like children at a kid's show. Whatever the venue we adapt the setup.

All the best,

Rob

Rob, as of late, I too have been using it as a way of "the poker tell" doing it with adults. The guys especially who play poker are stunned by the fact they think they are keeping a "stone faced" look and putting on their best poker face. It certainly has brought up the ante a tad with this routine. Thanks for your input into this thread. By the way, I just saw Charles lecture in Chicago lately and as always he was quite entertaining. After seeing him perform it again, timing is the name of the game with this one.

Snidini

I had a similar problem to begin with. I would agree that its to do with energy. The revelations are very important. You need to really carefully examine the way in which you reveal who has which ball. Perhaps add an additional layer to this. I know Derren Brown in his 2005 tour added the idea of having the black ball as a lier and the gold ones as truthtellers. This way to make it personal for the spectators. So now, it is no longer about the colours of the balls, but about the mental processes that the participants are involved in. AFterall, involvement is the key.

Best,
Kennedy

Hey everyone, does anyone know if there is a dealer in North America selling this?

Thanks for any feed back

Darren

Found one

Hi, I have been using this Routine in my shows for the last 8 years with great success. I have changed only One thing: I am Not using the supplied balls, but 50€ct coins, borrowed from the audience, whereby I Switch One for a magnetic coin, which will be marked with a sharpie. I found it. much more convincing to do this with everyday Objects.

Great idea docbike, and thanks for sharing.

Darren

I was doing this, but once I discovered Rick Maue's Group Dynamic, I switched to it. Very clean and nice. Great piece from Rick Maue, aka the Office Max Maven.

I like Body Language, and I really enjoyed Gauci's lecture. He provided a lot of workable gems. I just like Group Dynamic a little better.

Bobby

Hi Bobby, do you know where to find Ricks routine? I'd like to at least read about it.

Thanks

Darren

Darren,

Group Dynamic is available on the Mental Deceptions DVD set (available from http://www.deceptionsunlimited.com - Rick's website and L&L). It is also available in The Road ebook, also available from Rick's site.

Rick does not really spell out what the effect is on his site, but I did find this:

Group Dynamic: The performer invites four participants onto the stage where a row of four chairs awaits. The participants sit in any seat that they wish. The performer displays a small pouch which contains five paper balls of different colors. He removes four of them and hands the pouch (with remaining ball) to a member of the audience and asks her to keep it closed. The performer places the paper balls on a table and sets an open book in front of them to block them from the audiences view.

The four participants each select a paper ball, without the audience or the performer seeing who has taken which color. Keeping the paper balls cupped in their hands, they are given the choice of returning to the chair that they were just seated in, or trading seats with any of the other three participants.

Under very fair conditions, one of two effects occurs. The performer correctly divines which participant is holding the ball that matches the color of the ball remaining in the pouch. Or, the performer correctly predicts which participant is holding the matching color ball.

The methodology is sneaky and the effect is strong. Mr. Maue covers all of the contingencies that may arise. I like it.

Here is the link from where I found it: http://forums.geniimagazine.com/viewtopic.php?t=32169

Bobby