talkmagic.co.uk

This effect is found in Pure Effect By Derren Brown. It involves reading the type of coin a spectator will choose and then the date of the coin. For those that know it works on a very clever principle. It doesn't work all the time and so my question is...
Has anyone actually tried this out?
How often does it work?
How often do they even pick the right coin?

and Does it work with other coins? I'd say 50p. Guess which date though...

Edward,

Ive been performing Derrens Perfect Coin Reading for just over 2yrs now I saw him do it at a Int. lecture and gave loads of advice on what to do if they dont have wht you need.
Simple... Start off by explaining your doing an experiment, tellin them this does not work all the time, and if they dont have what you need you just simply have a stab at the coin and date and forget the last phase of the trick.
He also suggests vanishing the coin if that fits with your act too.

As for the amount of time it work... well the first 10 15 times i did it it worked every time but now its about 90% of the time to be honest and as im sure you know this percentage is going to get smaller at tiem goes bye.

But please try it because it it does go wrong no one will ever remember it Im sure of that. Just dont make a big deal out of the date thing as you know the effect is far from over.


Paul

Thanks for your insight. I'm gonna try all those effects where it might not work. Perfect Coin Reading, Matches, Telephone Call...
I'd try the Zippo lighter aswell but i don't have one.

All tricks are not 100% certain to work, but the above mentioned are less than that. It's interesting how magic is evolving and with the above effects it doesn't matter if you fail, it's the performance. How you cope with the failure is interesting as you have to make it about being an experiment. Derren says his mentalism is about tipping the balance in his favour, and that's what we do, however when the tube experiment went wrong Derren managed to carry it off effectively and still entertain.
Any more thoughts,?