Before spending $350 ...
can anyone point me in the right direction to see a demo of this effect?

If you want a book test this is the best..

If you want a GIMMICKED booktest this is ONE among the top five best!

Also, there is plenty of youtube videos which show some different people using MOABT as part of larger shows, but the fact it flies by when one does not know it's being used... isn't the whole point of it?

Hmmm...I respectfully disagree. But I will fight to the death for your right to say that.

Wulfie,

Can't steer you to a video demo, but even if I could it wouldn't do you much good without the explanation. Suffice it to say that MOAB is one of the best -- certainly one of the top five -- of the commercially available booktests that uses a specially prepared book. (I have several of the booktests from Roth's Outlaw Effects and while I agree wholeheartedly that they are top notch they are a totally different style of test and IMO are designed for something other than the typical "straight up" booktest typical of most demonstrations of mindreading, i.e., better suited to various "theme" presentations.)

The key points you need to know about MOAB are that it:

1)is published in both paperback and hardcover versions (both have same text but different titles)

2)can be freely handled by spectators with little or no chance of the "secret" being detected

3)the performer never needs to handle the book

4)no force of page or line is involved

5)there is no convoluted system for choosing a word

6)the amount of memorization required should be well within the capability of anyone

7)comes as close as any booktest -- and closer than most -- to the ideal "open the book to any page, pick any word and concentrate on it" as possible yet the performer is able to reveal the word -- either letter by letter, the whole word or, in many cases as an image

If that doesn't meet -- or beat -- your criteria for a first class booktest, you're probably in the wrong business.

MOAB is one of only 5 gimmicked books (of the 10 books) I use in the booktest routine that is a prominent feature of my mindreading show. Not only that, but I have over 1,000 booktests in my collection and have been researching the genre for over 6 years.

While I know Ted Karmilovich (creator of MOAB) personally and consider him a friend, I have no financial interest in MOAB (unfortunately).

There is nothing terribly complicated here. The descriptions above are completely accurate. MOABT kills every time ... use it anywhere and anytime. Needless to say I love it but I don't have video. I've used this 1 on 1, parlour, stage, business meetings ... you name it. I don't know the creator and would love a cut of the action ... but feel I've gotten tremendous value from my investment.

Dan.

Lord of the Horses ...
can you please point me to the youtube videos which contain the MOABT ??

to everyone ... thanks for your input
WulfieSmith

Ok ok it might not be the best for everyone but its one of the few that a spec can pick any word or any page and not write anything down and you still know what they are thinking. Agreed there are other amazing book test out there. I really love keith fields Insight book test a lot.
In my book test routine I do a version of Books Galore by Chuck H.

roth- yes you do make some beautiful book test that work great. For me yours are hard to fit into my style of mentalism. Even though sometimes I wish I could change my style to allow your books. lol

I just saw the Price of MOABT and I think I will pass!

For those who are passing on price alone, thank you. It makes my book that much more valuable to me.

For those still willing to consider it, here's a clip of my buddy Jim Spinnato performing it:

Esp Comedy

Worth every penny in my opinion and I use this gem weekly. If you could read minds mother will let you.
Not to mention all the gigs I have landed from just using this test in my act. Powerful stuff.

To "pass" on MOABT based on price is understandable if one cannot afford it. On the other hand, to "pass" on MOABT based on price is ludicrous if one can afford it. There's an old adage that says something to the effect that, "...it takes money to make money..." I, too, have locked in at least two $550+ performances based on the sole demonstration of MOABT to the client. Needless to say, I don't have on hands experience with them all, but I have tried ALOT of book tests, probably more than most magicians, and MOABT is the only one I actually use in performance.

Whilst I appreciate the work that has gone into a marvelous booktest like MOAB, I would still suggest that there is one other that comes as close to "pure" mindreading as I have ever come across. That booktest is Non Plus Ultra by Harvey Berg.

Best to all

Gerry

I have Berg's and entirely disagree, but, then, to each his own. It's somewhat like a political debate. It's not likely that anyone will change anyone else's mind when it comes to a favorite book test. I just know that MOABT works and produces income for me. Take care everyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsN_BthJla8

Watch me in action using it - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsN_BthJla8 - been doing comedy mentalism for 21 years. I never go anywhere without it

Which elicited the following response:



Of course Gerry and "runawayjag" are BOTH correct. What would be a mistake would be to turn this thread into a debate about which, if any, booktest is "better" or "best." What is "best" for one may not even be useful for another. Case in point: Chuck Hickok (who I know and respect) speaks highly of Keith Fields' "Insight," recommends it and cites it as one he features in his "Books Galore" booktest routine (described in his popular book "Mentalism Incorporated") while I find it unsuitable because IMO even the briefest handling by an audience member will expose the fact that it is a "special" book and I won't use any book that will not withstand the closest scrutiny if left in the hands of the audience, but that's my personal decision.

What is "best" for anyone is what works for him and what he is most comfortable with. MOAB and Harvey Berg's "Ne Plus Ultra" (as well as his earlier "Final Exam") are just a few of the many fine and effective booktests that can achieve almost "miracle" stature in the hands of a competent and experienced performer. Conversely, the same test(s) can be reduced to a bad joke when attempted by the inept.

The wise performer will probably opt to take the heat off the book(s) he uses by developing a booktest routine employing several different books, both gimmicked and ungimmicked, relying on different methods effectively eliminating an observer's ability to "back-engineer" the method(s) and suggesting by implication that such tests can be accomplished using ANY book.

Hey stevelegg I love how you got the audience to narrow down her choices. U didn't have to say anything. that was brilliant. good idea. bravo.
also good performance.
Blake

OK...I have to sell something. I have been looking for a great book test for corporate and have to admit that the MOABT just took my breath away.

Seeing Steve and Jim performing it in the above videos has convinced me.

Anyone in the market for a women's diamond wedding ring or a child's tiffany cross necklace?

ok...maybe I just need to book a couple extra shows.

Thanks for helping a reborn newbie save time going through way too many effects and mental agony. Now if I can only decide on which wallet is right for me!

:readingbook:

Kudos, Steve, for a strong performance. I agree with Blake: the way you elicit the first letter is next to perfect. And you've melded MOABT wonderfully with the dictionary test.

BTW, may I ask which dictionary test it is that you use? Never thought I'd be interested in one until seeing you perform it.

Great job.

Mark