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Josho Special user Albany, New York 758 Posts |
Many years ago, I learned a mentalism effect with business cards, and I still use it. Recently I went back to the books from where I (BELIEVED that I) learned the effect, but lo and behold, I clearly remembered incorrectly, because the effect wasn't there.
Here's the effect. If anyone can point me to a source for it, I'd be greatly appreciative. The mentalist has a stack of business cards, and ostensibly writes a spectator's name on the cards, one letter per card. He then mixes them up and places them all face-down on a table. He then "wills" the spectator to select the card which the spectator believes has the first letter of the spectator's name written upon the face. The mentalist takes the selected card, jots the first letter of the spectator's name as a reminder of which letter the spectator *believes* is on face, and replaces it face-down on the stock. This is then done with the second letter of the spectator's name, then the third, and so on, down to the last letter. When there is only card left on the table, if the mentalist and spectator were successful, that card should match the final letter of the spectator's name. The mentalist turns it over, and it does, indeed, have the last letter of the spectator's name written on the face. In fact, as the mentalist deals the previously-chosen cards out and turns each face up, it appears that the spectator did indeed select the cards in the right order as to have spelled out his/her name correctly, the face of each card matching the letter that the magician jotted upon it as it was chosen. Does this ring a bell with anyone? Many thanks, Josh |
Demitri Loyal user 296 Posts |
It sounds like a variation of Cicardi's Hell's Fire - akin to John Rigg's variation "They Hell Fire", from The Psychic Agenda, but his deals with emotions, not a name.
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Sounds like an effect that may have appeared in Bascom Jones' Magick.
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Zombie Magic Inner circle I went out for a beer and now have 8733 Posts |
I "think" Orv Meyer ( he's dearly missed ) had something like this.
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MentalistCreationLab Inner circle 1528 Posts |
Or it could be Evil Dan's which I think he based in part on something from Magick and Meyer. But as I remember it Dan was working on a book about business card mentalism. I do not know if it was ever wrote but he was working on the idea with Black from what I remember. Which is shotty at best its been so long ago.
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Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
I sent this to Josho: This method is based on Paul Curry's Probability Zero. There have been many presentations created using the same method. Some have used people's names, ESP symbols, symbolic words, etc. The original effect dealt with nine business cards that were numbered 1 to 9. The spectator would guess at which numbers where on what cards and in the end they were shown to be right.
The method lends itself to many presentations. And, as I told Josho, I believe the idea to use someone's name was put in the Jaw Droppers DVD series. I have a vague memory of it being in there... but I could be wrong. Hope that helps. Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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Shayde Phoenix Regular user Canada 116 Posts |
Yes, this indeed sounds like Paul Curry's "Probability Zero".
While reading this, I came up with a wicked idea for a bizarre routine with this. I'd almost forgotten about this effect. |
aukt Special user 763 Posts |
Where is probability zero taught?
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mindmagic Inner circle London 1740 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-07-08 04:04, aukt wrote: You can find it in "Worlds Beyond" and also in SW Paper Magic by Karl Fulves (highly recommended). Barry |
bevbevvybev Inner circle UK 2672 Posts |
What Greg said. It was originally done with numbers. Using a name is better as it has more meaning, although there is a bit of work to be done.
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Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
For me, Cicardi's 'emotion' presentation was the best. I once used that on radio years back, using the show host to perform the effect for, but having the listeners try and feel the emotions as they were named.
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Josho Special user Albany, New York 758 Posts |
Thank you, all. This is terrific. As I mentioned to Greg, it totally figures that this terrific effect would be Curry's.
Josh |
John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12945 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 7, 2013, Demitri wrote: Riggs showed this at mindvention with zenner symbols. Good stuff. j |
ddyment Inner circle Gibsons, BC, Canada 2499 Posts |
John C wrote:
Quote:
Riggs showed this at mindvention with zenner symbols. That would be Zener (pronounced ZEE-ner) symbols, developed by Karl Edward Zener in the late 1930s for his colleague, Joseph Banks Rhine.
The Deceptionary :: Elegant, Literate, Contemporary Mentalism ... and More :: (order "Calculated Thoughts" from Vanishing Inc.)
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Fire Starter Inner circle 4809 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 7, 2013, Josho wrote: Thought I was going NUT'S when I saw your avitar ,eye's moving Josh,spooky stuff,lol.,i like it. |
Martin Pulman Inner circle London 3399 Posts |
Curry was a true genius. Probability Zero is one of his best.
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12945 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 22, 2014, ddyment wrote: I got mine at walmart. |
Tony Iacoviello Eternal Order 13151 Posts |
No, no, no, John.
Shop smart, shop S-Mart. |
Syndrome Regular user CANADIAN IMP 165 Posts |
Thank you for the laugh Tony!
I may be behind the times, but I have to say, THAT is one of my all-time favorite movies! Campbell was perfectly casted for that role. He had a bit part years earlier that was his first role in another cult film called: "Crimewave." Yet another strange classic! Zero Probability is a workers dream. The possibilities and variations are immense. Do it with the group and everyone gets a souvenir. Cheers, Alex
Live well,
Laugh often, Love always. "Illusion is the first of all pleasures." -Voltaire (1694-1778) |
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