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Hey Friends,
Just looking for a little guidance. I'm starting out in mentalism -- been reading a lot of Corinda, Busch, Annemann, etc. I'm looking for a peek that works well with a business card. I'm familiar with Busch's Zen Billet, but I don't think I could reliably use that if performing for several people. As for some of the other peeks I've read about, if the spectator is restricted to writing on just one corner of a business card, that seems like quite an artificially small area. I'm not opposed to using index cards, but I've ALWAYS got business cards with me.

In truth, there seems to be SO MUCH material out there. I want to pick one or two peeks, and a good center tear, and practice the SH*T out of them. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
David

Hi Dave.. Have you seen this before ? Been using mine for about 6 months now.. Works wonderful and never lets you down.. Great for business cards, playing card predictions, and any other prediction you can write down. Available in a small or large version. And not too expensive.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7PXJk7a3gI"

Hello Dave,

As Mr. Invisible recommended above, artifice such as the one linked are great for dealing with a single card in a (presumably) close up setting, although I am partial to a couple of other types of the device. That said, the one he suggested does have one doozy of a feature. Definitely research some before committing to a purchase to at least get a feel for which one (if any) suit your needs and performing style. Fortunately they have been discussed here and elsewhere in the online magic world to a great extent. A caveat though; you may be starting a new and expensive addiction, as I am sure many here can attest to.

Alternatively, context of the trick or routine also could lend to different ways. If the card does not need to be returned for example, there are avenues to explore, and you mentioned one in your post. Lastly, are more than one used? Should that be the case, further searching might lead you to another manner to "sneak" a peek.

Regards,

Carter

There are some useful ideas in Act Two by Barrie Richardson, and more in his later book Curtain Call.

The must-have reference for billet work generally is the incredible ebook Switchcraft
https://sites.google.com/site/ebswitch/home"

It's currently up to 814 pages and will probably continue to expand. The pdf is fully bookmarked, BTW.

Barry

My current favourite is a peek called The Biz by Phill Smith.
I can't remember which of his books it is in (my best guess is Moleke), but it was also in his penguin lecture.

What are you trying to peek? A word, picture, number, etc? As some peeks are better for different kinds of info.

If you I want a long peek then I recommend using an envelope handling I learnt from Luke Jermay's Mind DVD set.
For a centre tear I really like Dr Bills Billet Tear and Ran Pinks TRex.

And I can absolutely second the recommendation of Switchcraft!

I've been using the Acidus Novus peek for a number of years now, that is restricted though. I have never had anyone question it

Thank you all for the great recommendations!

David

Not sure how much I'm allowed to say on here but I saved a copy of Linking Rings where it describes gaffing a stack of business cards in such a way that it looks like a regular stack of about 25 cards wrapped in an elastic band (this can be removed, all cards are individual), you hand one out for writing on, they insert it back into the stack anywhere they want. You then take one off the top stack & duplicate what they wrote/drew. It's a glimpse via a gimmicked stack of cards which is unsuspecting as it's just a stack of cards.

Russpie - That's roughly the exact same procedure as with Phill Smiths method (The Biz), except The Biz doesn't use any gaffs. The compromise, however, is that the performer must return the drawing to the stack....

I think I know the gaff you are referring to, and I can certainly see the benefit of allowing the participant to return the card wherever they want. Although whenever I used a peek wallet I always took the card from them and returned it myself, so I'm completely happy just doing that with the stack of business cards too.

Worth a look if you like the gaffed method you are describing.

Banachek's got a lovely peek on one of his psi series DVDs (I can't remember which on, I afraid). That one's always my go to peek.

Here's my peek device, Vision - very simple and direct;

https://youtu.be/n0EytHdINWo

Dark Arts by Matt Mello is what I have been using for years - why?- because I can make the gimmick in 5 minutes for pennies, can peek anything on business card, and they end up with card at end of routine-

Also - Peek Performances by Richard Busch is an excellent reference, highly recommended.