I have a question regarding the classic 37 effect. I do it all the time, but lately I think I been doing it wrong. Do you tell someone to think of a ODD number between 1-50 but use different digits OR do you tell them to just think of a number between 1-50 and use different digits? Do you emphasize the ODD factor at all?

Reread Banacheks Psychological Subtleties, it tells you there.

I always thought it was "think of any 2 digit number between 1 and 50, both digits must be odd and both different from each other." Is this correct?

I cant find my banachek book to check out the proper presentation, but I think Pit Boss you are right.

Pit Boss, you got it but magicman, there are subtleties than just giving out those instructions. Think about it. You don't want them to think there is something in those instructions. Make it seem like it's a test and you're working together.

Some people feel that it helps if you add, "Both different digits, for example, it can't be 11." The thinking is that this tends to keep away answers in the teens. Experiment, though--it depends on the kind of person you're dealing with.


Jack Shalom

Sounds like mathemagic to me..run clinton run LEL ! Is there a simple number one that has a semilar effect on a layman ?

A few little helpers for this, I use, 2 different odd digits, so you cannot have 11 but you could have 15, but rememeber any number between one and FIFTY (EMPHASISE HERE - PUSHES THEM SLIGHTLY TOWARDS THAT END)

Do people really still use this?
Its the sort of thing you get in circular office emails.
I don't think it's really going to fool all that many people.
Maybe a good example of how we all make similar choices,
but not as an effect in itself.

I do it with TWO people (and three slips of paper). I ask the first to "write down a number between zero and fifty. Both digits are odd, but not the same number...so you couldn't use 11 or 33. Now make sure I can't see it." (That's the exact wording I use.) I then look at them as if scanning their "brainwaves" and write "35", then cross it out and write "37" in the upper half of my paper.

Then I tell the other person "I want you to write down a number between 50 and 100, but make your digits even and not the same". I go thru the same prediction routine and write "68" near the bottom of my paper. I put my paper face down and say "OK, I'm committed. Let's see what you wrote." I then reveal my predictions.

I have ALWAYS gotten at least one correct...usually both. Sometimes the first is 35 or sometimes the second is 86, but you can blow this off with "Ah, that was my first guess" or "I got the digits, just not the order." You are virtually guaranteed to have 2 miracles, or one miracle and a semi-miracle.

I used to miss occasionally using just "37". But the odds of both failing are really small, using the language I use. I would credit this approach but I don't remember where I picked it up. Sankey, Harlan, or Maven, I think...