I would like to hear your experience and advice on this matter. I intend to force a page, a line and a word on the line, and then of course I need to “mind read” that exact word.

Now I have two questions:

1) Lets say we force page 174, line 17, word number 4. Now up until now I have only forced a page and ask the spectatior to read the first word on the page. Now that’s pretty simple for the spectator to get right. However my concern is if the spectator should go to line 17, that maybe the spectator will miscount to line 16 or 18, and since I only know the words on line 17 I will be in big trouble. You see creating an illusion as a mind reader I’m supposed to read the mind no matter if the spectator stops at line 16, 17 or 18, but of course I can only read the mind if he stops at line 17.

This is all theory, but from those of you who force a line in your performances, can you tell me if you have had any spectators miscounting the line? That would actually reveal part of the method if I “mind read” the word that’s number four on line 17 and the spectator is thinking on word four on line 16.

2) Mind reading is strange, and I believe it’s too impossible for a “mind reader” to read a full sentence by mind reading, so I’d rather mind read only a word, since it seems more “possible”. Or provided the full sentence creates a picture I could “mind read” the picture. But it’s darn hard to find a book where you can force 20-30 pages with 20-30 lines that gives a picture, hence I believe going for one word is easier. What’s your experience on this?

I think it is easier to get a mental picture of the very first one on the page, which can be impressive enough if there are several pages in the book. Heck, even getting the page right has pretty good adds against it.

I don't see the point in forcing a page, line, then word. Have them choose the page, then any word, then tell them what it is.

JE

Hi Vraagaard,

I use Val Andrews' Book test, which requires exactly that. I find that if I have enough control over the spectator and the audience, then miscounts are very rare.

If I kow I'm going to be in a situation where the audience is not so controlled, I will use something else, like the first word on the page as Johne suggests, or Flashback. I think perhaps the answer may come through using Ultimate Flashback, as there are more chances of hits due to the workings. However, I am unsure, maybe perhaps you were looking for an ungimmicked method?

Hope this helps

Kennedy

Hi Kennedy,

I'm actually preparing the Val Andrews book test. I totally like the approach since the book is clean, no gimmicks at all. You force the page, line and ask for the word number, or actually go for the full line. Only problem is if the spectator is miscounting the line number.

Hence my question about the risk that the spectator will miscount the line.

Two ways to reduce the risk:

Choose a book where there is little ambiguity about what counts as a line - the top of pages can have page numbers with chapter titles and may be counted as a line.

And use a lower line number. Seventeen is more likely to be miscounted than seven.

- Greg Owen

Good point, Greb. I meant to point that out as well. Forcing the lower number will definitely increase the odds of them hitting it. LOL

I did an effect with numbers yesterday, and was surprised both times. The effect failed. LOL.

This particular effect uses some basic subtraction. Well, you guess it---both people must have failed basic math. You would be surprised how often some of the people just mess up their simple math. I guess there is a need to have a second participant check the math. I actually did this, but the female participant was slightly offended that I didn't trust her. LOL

J

Mathematics is a dying ability of the newly uneducated. It has been for 30 years now.

There are several generations out there now who can't do basic arithmetic worth diddly-squat. And certainly can't do it under bad lighting, pressure-of-performance, in their heads, etc. That includes basic addition, like counting from one to 17.

Best to factor that in when deciding specifics of your methods. And it won't get any better in the future. It is just something we must realize and deal with.

In addition (pun intended!) to Tom's point is your point from your first post, it's no good trying to correct the math. You should be reading thoughts or minds, so even if they get it wrong it *shouldn't* matter.

So I don't do anything where the spectator has to do math now. Reversal is in my bag of tricks for the odd one-on-one or on the phone where I know the person is fine with numbers. One-on-one or small groups also have less pressure inherent in the situation.

- Greg Owen

Hi, Vraagaard,

You'll find several beautiful options in Annemann's "202 Methods of Forcing". The chapter on Number Forces is of particular interest for the book test you propose.

My favorite is Number Force #157, the last one in the chapter. It's an effect in itself. Also, Number Force #154 is a nice impromptu option for Osterlind's "Change of Mind".

Federico

In the introduction to The Red Book Of Mentalism, Max Maven states:

"Many clever mentalism routines require a very circuitous chain of events before reaching their climax. When the spectators are required to pick two cards, add their values together, divide the result by three, turn to that page in a book, count down to the line determined by the number of fillings in their teeth...something is wrong---and the audience knows it. This is not mentalism---it is a puzzle. Perhaps a very clever and baffling puzzle, but a puzzle nonetheless."

I completely agree. Spectators of today do not have the attention span, nor the patience to go through a long series of complicated proceedures to get to the point.

I compeletly agree with dpe666 and Max Maven. Check out 'Blind Sentence' in Luke Jermays Building Blocks.

If you want to hit a word in particular on any line, try putting a pinhole through the first letter from the backside.

Something else you might want to try is the Ernie Ball Book Test.

In PEEK PERFORMANCES their are some great methods for
impromptue book tests useing borrowed and ungaffed
books.

The solution I came up with for the line miscount is that I use a Shakespeare text, I have used other classic text, these have line numbers down the left hand side. This is another factor pointing any spectator into the right direction.

Hope it helps