I've never really liked the MPD, although in the right hands it can be devestating. I guess it was because I thought the ads for the MPD were deceptive, leaving a bad taste in my mouth - they all seem to say that you can name the thought-of card(s) immediately, or with a bit of concentration, depending on your performing style.

They all fail to mention that you had to go on a bit of a fishing expedition. The method is much more devious than this, but in the spectator's mind it seems that it's not much more than picking a number between one and fifty-two, then having someone guess it by successively narrowing it down with questions like is it between one and twenty-six, is it even, etc.

IMHO, Jay Sankey's Astral Projection is a much stronger effect in this genre. Bicycle backs, completely free choice and spec can change mind as often as desired, and you end clean. Best of all, no twenty-one questions*, and it's repeatable.

http://www.penguinmagic.com/product.php?ID=366


* Not to imply that you need to ask twenty-one questions to divine the thought-of card in in MPD - you can do it with as few as two, but it may need as may as 6 hints from your spec.

I bought it some time ago.... The main thing in this trick is presentation. If you have good pressentation that it is one amazing trick!! I have done it to some poeple multiple times and every time their shocked cause its a different card every single time!!! But make sure they know what the suits are LOL. its like , "Hmmmm, let me concentrate... OH! The 8 of spades!!!!"
"Um I'm not sure what the spades are... I think it was the doggy paws or something...." LOL

Astral Projection seems to be sold out. Looks like a great effect. Seems you need some bold moves to pull it off though...

I've just viewed the video.
Does the explanation video show all that is necessary, or is there something else needed or done, like prior knowledge or some other weird unmentioned slight?
I've been suckered so many times that I am the quintessential skeptic. It looks impossible, but I did notice one thing, the QH is missing on his 2nd spread before the card is named at the end, so the spectator in the given example could not have selected it (QH).

Please explain if you can. I like what I see, but do not want to suffer another disappointment.

Astral Projection requires no prior knowledge, and a sleight (if you can call it that) so simple that it makes a DL seem like the Pass in comparison. There is a bit of misdirection required, but it's explained very well in the explanation video, and it's nowhere as bold as Blizzard.

Astral Projection is not difficult but the routine contains some illogism.

On an interesting note Derren doesn't smoke either...yet still does this trick!

Like??

Richard, if you think about it, the principle is the same as that of a classic effect, but magnified.

It's simple and direct, like all his stuff. PM me if you want as I cannot say anythng more here.

Yes Chris, it is an interesting note. But as I said, I can think of many other ways to produce the card without even suggesting to the audience that I am a smoker, which of course I am not. After all, image is everything, right?

To all the guys saying "i don't smoke" neither does Derren and he says this in Pure Effect, remember the old line about being actors.

Curtis.

This is a very strong effect. However, it should not be presented as a card trick. The cards are secondary to the effect. Use 3 people. It is much more effective than with one person. You must have the spectator believe you are really trying to read their mind. This is not for the beginner as audience management is everything. I always have a problem with the last card and have to spread the deck and take out the last thought of card. No mention is made of it being the ONLY card of its kind in the deck. Believe me, the deck will be burned by the first two spectators.

Merl Hamen

There are so many better effect to do for people. I don't' think this is very good.

You think so?
I went so far to have someone make me a bicycle version of this effect. Costed me more than I have ever invested in any cardtrick.
This "not so good trick" has given me more repeat bookings and a kickstart in the motivational speakers corner than anything else.
If I could only do two pieces of cardmagic for the rest of my life it would be Spooked and Mindpower. That's how good I think it is!

I too had a special MP deck made up so that all the backs are Bicycle! The MP deck is a wonderful mentalism effect but it's all in the presentation. Let me explain my MP Deck presentation. This is a result of doing it so MANY times and is what I feel to be a refinement of the method.

I FIRST table spread the MP deck with NORMAL pips showing and just casually LEAVE it there exposed on the table while I begin my explanation! It's a great way to subliminally establish that the deck is a normal one. So many times I have seen what I like to think of as "Koran buster spectators" scrutinizing the deck for duplicates. This way they conclude what they are seeing is normal. It's perfect. They NEVER re-scrutinize the deck during what comes next...

After leaving the deck exposed for a while as I am speaking to them and saying that I do NOT want them to mentally choose a card yet so as to keep their minds clear, I finally get to the point where I say they are to make a mental "snap shot" of their chosen card. Then AFTER explaining what I want them to do, I casually pick up the deck, tell the 1-3 participants to quickly choose a card and table spread the deck with the gaff exposed. The deck remains on the table for only a few moments, and then I pick it up again, asking each participant if they got their mental snapshot of their card. After confirming that each has done so, I table spread the deck ungaff exposed and just LEAVE it there as I begin my process! This once again makes a subliminal impression that all is normal.

The way I present everything gives me a perfect REASON to do the table spreads in the above manner. It is done casually and matter-of-factly and is NEVER questioned.

Now here comes the KILLER. As I name their mentally selected card, I push that card COMPLETELY OUT from the table spread towards them!! I can because the target cards are NORMAL, remember? So you can literally slide their cards COMPLETELY out of the table spread as you move your hands over the cards. It's another STRONG subliminal suggestion that leaves them speechless and removes any remaining heat from the deck.

When you do it this way, it rocks.

:)

That's a gorgeous subtlety, PalmBeachGuy, just gorgeous. Thanks for sharing it.

Dgcuff,

Glad you like it. The killer ending really does mess them up.

:)

This is one of my all time fav. effects. Its kills laymen.

The principal behind the effect is darn good if you ask me. Even if you don't like the effect after buying the deck, each card can be used seperately to create your own magical effects...

Wait.....how did you guys get these decks made up on Bicycle card stock? I would definately like to get a deck like that for me!

Steve

Hi Steve,

You can contact cardsbymartin2@juno.com for further information but it’s expensive though.