Greetings All,
I like the Dan Harlan version of the classic one-ahead effect (the triple prediction)on his video Ultimate Impromptu Magic, vol. 3. On the video its called "Pocket Change". In the first step, the force, which on the video performance is a "dime", is written on a slip of paper. Then the spectator is asked to take out all their pocket change. The dime, which is used among two other different coins for an equivoque at the final step, comes from the change the spectator takes out of their pocket for the first prediction.

Here is the problem...in the very beginning, "dime" is written on a paper. What if the spectator doesn't have a dime among the change in their pocket? Dan Harlan, on the video says, "We'll discuss at the end of the explanation how the magician can introduce his/her own dime" but it is never discussed. It would be a great back-up if the mentalist could introduce the dime at some point but wouldn't it be obvious to the spectator that something is fishy if the coin the magician introduces is the same one that the spectator "selects" with the equivoque and that ends up on the prediction?

I hope this makes sense but I think those familiar with the routine can likely follow what I'm talking about.

Many thanks for any suggestions.
Bob L.

P.S. I've emailed Mr. Harlan about this but have not received a response yet.

What about writing your prediction after seeing what the spectator actually has in his pockets ? I don't think it would make that much of a difference to write the prediction at that moment.

Noooo...
The idea is that the mentalist is going to write on the first paper the first prediction, which is the amount of change in the spectator's pocket.
The very first thing the mentalist does is write the force...in this case "dime" on a piece of paper.
Bob L.

Another possibility is to have several people take out the change in their pokect... I've done this before where I've said "I want a couple of you to take out all the change from your pocket so we can get a good mix of different coins here" or something to that effect. Then, odds are, there has got to be a dime among the coins.

Osterlind has a nice routine that may fit the bill. It is called Change of Mind and can be found on his Mind Series

You can finger clip a dime and just add it to the pile as you are "looking" through it. Bold, but if you are casual it will fly by.

Hey Casper...
Coincidentally I ordered a copy of Osterlind's video that contains "Change of Mind" a few days ago and it should arrive any day.
Thanks!
Bob L.

Yup second(or is it third the osterlind routine as very good, and clever use of the prediction pad as well,