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I love Barrie Richardson's 'Any Card at Any Number' from 'Theatre of the Mind', but I'm still musing over the best way to present it.

I certainly don't like the idea that the chosen card somehow moves in the deck to the right place, so that's out.

There's the possibility of presenting it as mentalism, in that either you 'influence' their choice or you predicted it beforehand. What I'm not sure I like about this is that it suggests you know the order of the deck to some extent, which is something I prefer not to even imply.

I've tried presenting it as an example of the spectator 'knowing' more than they think they could possibly know if they relax and get into the right state of mind... which has provoked very nice reactions. But does this minimise my role as magician too much - in that I take little or no credit for the miracle myself?

What do you think?

misterblack wrote:I've tried presenting it as an example of the spectator 'knowing' more than they think they could possibly know if they relax and get into the right state of mind... which has provoked very nice reactions. But does this minimise my role as magician too much - in that I take little or no credit for the miracle myself?

Not at all! This is the way I have been presenting it recently. I love the notion of other people besides yourself being able to achieve these things; they've seen you do it and now they realise that they can do it too. They are the star.

Remember, all of this happens in your presence anyway .

Thanks! On the whole I agree with you, this is the presentation that appeals to me most for various reason. It's just a nagging doubt about minimising my own 'powers'... however, it's still clearly me bringing the spectator to this point where they pull this off. I have some stuff I say that supposedly helps them to find this ability within themself.

More opinions welcome of course.

i have a version where two people decide on a number between themselves, and we find the previously selected card from a mixed up deck at that exact number...

its framed purely as a show of strength and power of the people's subconcious...im not involved at all except for dealing the cards down one by one...

i think its far better to be seen as the conduit to other people's latent "powers" rather than displaying my own...

misterblack wrote:It's just a nagging doubt about minimising my own 'powers'... however, it's still clearly me bringing the spectator to this point where they pull this off. I have some stuff I say that supposedly helps them to find this ability within themself.

More opinions welcome of course.

You could present it as though you are putting them into a deep trance that will release the ability......'I want you to close your eyes and relax. And as you relax you will notice your mind start to form a picture of a playing card......'

Even if the audience do not attribute the ability to pick the card and number to you (which I doubt would be the case anyway) there is still no doubting your magnificent powers to get into the subjects mind through what seems to be a near instant hypnotic induction.