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I've been performing "Impossible Prediction" - by Jean Gallo for a while now. Essentially - you get the spec to shuffle the cards into each other face up, face down until the cards are completely mixed up and randomly face up and face down. You then draw their attention to a prediction that has been there all the time. It says how many cards are face down - you're right, it then says how many of the face down cards are red - once again it's accurate. The next prediction says that all the black cards are odd numbers - this time there's one that isn't. The next prediction says "Except one" and then goes on to name the remaining card.
Very effective..
Last night I was performing at a party and I decided to force the remaining card on somone, let them write it down, keep the paper and try and remember the card. (got them to write it down cos if it was me I would've forgotten).
About 3 hours later I did impossible prediction - except the final card wasn't predicted. It didn't need to be - I just looked at the person from earlier on and she literally jumped out of her seat and said "No - it can't be - that's my card!" - then took the paper out and showed everyone. It was the best response I've ever had - just by changing one little thing.
Any other examples??

The effect you described is one of my favourites, and in fact would slot very nicely into the "Reputation Maker" topic started elsewhere. There do seem to be several versions on the market. The Jahn Gallos (I assume that is who you mean?) version is a new one on me, but I am sure nonetheless impressive for it.

Shuffle-Bored: Simon Aronson
Pre-Deck-Ability: Aldo Colombini
Jeopardy: Paul Green
Little Bunny does a magic trick: Bill Goldman
???:???
Impossible Prediction: Jahn Gallos

I believe the original (published) routine was Simon Aronson's, and that version was actually published in Magic magazine a few years back. The version I always use though is Aldo Colombini's however I wouldn't mind getting Bill Goldman's as the story line sounds very workable (and I like Bill Goldman's thinking).

Jeopardy has had great reviews, but I suspect it is more for our American cousins that know about the "Jeopardy" tv programme.

The Jahn Gallos version is new to me, and again makes me curious as to the subtle differences involved.

I do believe that there is another marketed version, but I can't remember what it is called and who it is by - I think theMog told me about it.

Bottom line though - this is one of the strongest magic effects/principles there is (my opinion only). I would rate it right up there with Paul Curry's OOTW.

Getting back on topic again.

I totally agree that subtlely changing an effect to suit you - to make it that ounce stronger for the way you perform it can sometimes (not always) have a tremendous affect. That's why we should always adapt every effect we do to the way we work. Personalise it if you will. By doing this it is sometimes surprising the difference in impact achievable. It also means that there aren't 1000's of clones out there. After all, with internet shopping magic has never been so readily available which means there is always an increased chance that spectators may have seen the same effect performed before.

I think that whenever any magician get's a new trick, after reading the instructions and learning the moves, they then have to start work on making it their own.

Anyway - my main point is that it is a really great idea taneous. The thing I really like about your ending is that there is potential for a nice continuity between the opening trick and a closing trick, and this effect is definitely strong enough to be a closer.

Yep - it's Jahn Gallo. I don't know why but I've always thought of him as Jean. I actually met him once. Had no idea who he was and I made some stupid comment - can't remember who he was, and then he turned out to be the guest speaker at our magic circle meeting. Very nice guy. In his notes on the effect he does credit Aldo Colombini I think.

I agree - I love the principle and it's virtually self-working. I'd actually planned another effect after this one and after that reaction I decided I may as well end with it (quit while I'm ahead and all that). I also ditched the printed prediction that came with it - and I write it down on a notepad and put it in an envelope. Just seems more authentic - and it looks like I'm doing it and haven't just bought it from a magic shop (although that's precisely the case ).

I also find that i only perform it on certain occasions - and I let the people know how special they are that they're seeing me perform it.

I also ditched the printed prediction that came with it

Personally I would always go with hand writing all the predictions. I normally have them pre-written out on business cards

I have thought though that the effect may be better if I wrote them out during the shuffle process as that would give the impression I was estimating what was going on at the time it was going on (turning it into a skill more than a prediction), however I don't really find that pratical to do as part of a set - espcially if doing tables as time is always a constraint. Also I am not convinced it would make it any stronger, but it's always good to think about these things.

It would be interesting to know the difference Jahn made to the Colombini version though...

A good version (the first, or one of the first, to be published) is in Harry Lorayne's Trend Setters book under the title The Equaliser.