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This is probably quite an obvious effect but, I have a swami gimmick. I am looking for an effect in which I seem to write down a prediction, maybe a number prediction on a piece of card. Give the card to a spectator. Ask someone to think of a number. The number on the card held by someone else then matches the thought of number. Any ideas or routines?

The only way I could think of doing this is with a book test.

Why not just take the card from the first spectator, make sure with him he guarded it well and good - and then show everyone the number on the card?

Don't forget that if nobody knows about the s***i, there's no reason for them to suspect any foul play. Whether or not the card stays in the hands of the spectator, or you take it and immediately show him the number so he can read it outloud, is exactly the same for the crowd effect-wise.

The only ones who care about methods are magicians.

Using a book test to predict a number seems a bit daft. As Mr. Brown would say, it constitutes a visual compromise. The specs. would think why on earth have you used a book to predict a number when the book is full of words? And if you are going down the swami route, then even if you were going to predict a word then why limit the choices to words in a book?

Just "write" down a number, give it to a spectator to hold face down between their palms, ask someone to name any number, take it back from them to "check" your prediction or whatever (but don't make this a big deal, make it a "non-event") then give it back to them face down in their palms for them to turn over and be amazed and kiss at your shiny shoes. But obviously a little more finesse and presentation is needed.

The action of you picking up the card will be forgotten, especially if you add in, "And I didn't touch the card" or some other blatant lie.

And dup is 100% correct. Magicians love a good method, but a clever method does not guarantee an excellent effect.

Kev

What about, having the billet closed into quarters ??? You open the billet up and have them read what's in it.

I remember Al Mann has a version somewhere ( My friend taught it to me ) . Also, although I have not bought it yet, I THINK Richard Osterlind has something like that in his mind mysteries 5 or so... The 2 effects I mentioned are however different I believe.

'write' your prediction on the card and place in an envelope to 'keep the prediction secret and safe' talk to the spec and inform them that the words you will be saying should relate to a number. They won't be aware it's working buy if they clear their mind, the number will come through to them.

Ask the number. Now pull the card from the envelope so it is resting on the flap. While you are doing the business, reiterate that the card has been in the envelope at all times so it would be impossible to change the prediction now. Hand the card to who ever is there to reveal that the mentalist was spot on......again

Alec

Alec Kobain wrote: Ask the number. Now pull the card from the envelope so it is resting on the flap. While you are doing the business, reiterate that the card has been in the envelope at all times so it would be impossible to change the prediction now. Hand the card to who ever is there to reveal that the mentalist was spot on......again

And you could always use a window envelope so the dirty work is done before the envelope is even opened!

It's hard to beat Corinda's idea of using this as an opener:

1 - Come out on stage with the card held well away from your body, right up in the air, holding it at your fingertips. It's obvious that you can't write on it or exchange it for a different card.

2 - Have plenty of verbiage pre-written on the card: "On this date xx/xx/xxxx a member of the audience will call out the number...". Show the writing so people can see there's already a prediction written on the card.

3 - The instant the number is called out, hand the card to an audience member to read. It's impossible for you to have written all that stuff on the card in the moment between the number being called and the card being handed out.

Basem wrote:I THINK Richard Osterlind has something like that in his mind mysteries 5 or so...

Yes, volume 5. As I recall, it's also in his book, The Principles of Magic.

"Logical disconnect" the methodology I would say, as Bob Cassidy puts it. Its harder for someone to think of how the number written INSIDE A SECURE ENVELOPE matches the spectator's chosen number.

No need to hand out the paper to a spectator.

If you're doing this on stage, then use the Dunninger Ploy. That way you can hand the envelope to your participant before she has apparently stated what her number is. There might also be a useful envelope to use with this in Curtain Call.

Robbie wrote:It's hard to beat Corinda's idea of using this as an opener:

1 - Come out on stage with the card held well away from your body, right up in the air, holding it at your fingertips. It's obvious that you can't write on it or exchange it for a different card.

2 - Have plenty of verbiage pre-written on the card: "On this date xx/xx/xxxx a member of the audience will call out the number...". Show the writing so people can see there's already a prediction written on the card.

3 - The instant the number is called out, hand the card to an audience member to read. It's impossible for you to have written all that stuff on the card in the moment between the number being called and the card being handed out.

What Robbie said.

If you want, use a windowed cut out envelope, so you can write and then remove card from envelope. Adds to the impossibility.

HTH