Mind Reading Trick

A math teacher taught me this trick in elementary school... I have always thought it was a neat trick, and although not 100% accurate... it works about 85-90% of the time for me. Best used with an audience at least 3-4 people.

How the Trick Works:

First you need paper and pencils for yourself and every member in the group. On your paper write "celery" one side of the paper, and "carrot" on the other side. Do this prior to the performance, and keep the paper stored in your pocket.
Hand out the paper and pencils to everyone in the group.
Inform your audience that they are going to participate in a mind reading exercise, but first they need to prepare their minds with a bit of a math quiz. Tell them that it is very important to write their answers FAST. If they miss questions its ok... the most important thing is that they write the answers as quickly as possible.
Now. Start drilling out simple math questions like "1+2", 3+5", "4x2". One after another, with only enough time for them to scribble down the answers frantically.
After you have rattled off a good series of 8 to 12 math problems stop and suddenly say:

"Write Down the Name the First Vegetable that Comes to Mind!!!".
Now take the peice of paper you have in your pocket out. Ask if anyone in the audience wrote down "Carrot"...and show the audience your paper -- You'll be suprized at the result. Ask if any of the remainder people have chosen "Celery", and flip your peice of paper over to show the other result.

Notes: This test is catered to a Canada / US audience. I'm sure people in Japan wouldn't say "carrot" as their first choice.

Other "Predictable Questions/Answers"
Name a number between 1 and 4. = 3
Name A Color = Red.
Name a Tool = Hammer.

If you use these questions then on your stored paper you could draw a picture of 3 red hammers and completly baffle the audience.
Works great... give it a try!

< Back to Quick & Easy Magic Tricks

Learn Magic
Optical Illusions
Hypnotism

Magician's Library