Compelling Mental Magic

Wolfgang Riebe

Compelling Mental Magic

First published by Mind Power Publications 2016

Copyright © 2016 by Wolfgang Riebe

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Third edition

ISBN: 9781370198849

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Contents

DISCLAIMER

1. DEDICATION

2. FOREWORD

3. 8H, 8S & 4D PREDICTION

4. ALL CLEAR CHAMPAGNEPREDICTION

5. BARCODE PREDICTION

6. BOOK TEST OUTDONE

7. CARD ON SHIRT

8. CONFABULATION OUTDONE

9. CRAZY CROSSWORD

10. ESP PREDICTIONMATCHBOXES

11. FRED OUTDONE

12. GOLF PREDICTION

13. MENTAL PHOTOGRAPHY

14. ONE-LINERS & JOKES FOR MENTALISTS

15. OUT OF THIS WORLD SUPERCHARGED

16. PREDICTIONAPPEARANCES

17. SCRABBLE PREDICTION

18. THE ULTIMATE SCRABBLE PREDICTION

19. STAR SIGN PREDICTION

20. Chapter 20

21. SURPRISE PREDICTION

22. TECHNICOLORPREDICTION

23. THE ULTIMATE MIND READER

24. THIS ONE THAT ONE

25. VIDEO PREDICTION

26. YOU DO AS I DO AS DIRECT AS CAN BE

27. YOU WILL NOT SELECT THE 8H

28. YOUR DRINK, SIR!

29. BACKWORD

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

EXTRA VIDEO LINKS

MORE PRODUCTS

DISCLAIMER

The Publisher has strived to be as accurate and complete as possible in the creation of this ebook, notwithstanding the fact that he does not warrant or represent at any time that the contents within are accurate due to the rapidly changing nature of the entertainment industry. The Publisher will not be responsible for any losses or damages of any kind incurred by the reader whether directly or indirectly arising from the use of the information found in this e-book.

No guarantees of success and/or income are made. The reader assumes responsibility for use of information contained herein. The author reserves the right to make changes without notice. The Publisher assumes no responsibility or liability whatsoever on the behalf of the reader of this ebook.

1

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to Martin Breese who passed away in 2012. He was a huge inspiration and mentor to me. I still recall so clearly how we celebrated Christmas day 25 December 1992 and he gave me Terri Rogers’ incredible book test, ‘The Key’ which I still perform.

Miss you lots Martin!

2

FOREWORD

Welcome to this book on Compelling Mental Magic, filled with tricks and routines that I have developed and performed in over 150 countries during the last 25 years.

Many routines where created in the late 1980’s when I lectured for the magic club circuit, and then refined for practical use during my years working on cruise ships. Where possible I have given credit to originators of ideas. Many routines are original, but many are also adaptations of classic effects.

Snappy and entertaining routines have always remained a priority for me when developing tricks. Hence I believe you will find a wide selection of practical tested effects, ideas and routines that I consider to be as close to real mentalism as possible.

I am sharing items I still perform today that have served me well. It is my intention with this book that you find value and enjoy performing these routines as much as I have had developing them into what they are over the last two decades.

Magical Regards

3

8H, 8S & 4D PREDICTION

Here is a great impromptu type effect - the name of which fails me, as I learnt it back in the 70’s in Port Elizabeth, South Africa as a youngster from one of the local magicians in the East Cape Magic Circle. I would guess it must have been John Dunn at the time. This trick is always well received, and back in 1989 at my first lecture for the Magic Circle in London, everyone was totally taken aback! This was a great start to my UK career as I had grown up learning from books written by magicians that were present at that first lecture - so it was a really nice confidence booster for me having learnt my trade in South Africa with very little access to mainstream magic at that time.

Three spectators each choose a card. The magician then takes a sheet of newspaper and folds it up. He cuts out a shape in the folds and points to the first spectator, saying that his card was the 8 of Hearts. This is correct, and when the newspaper is unfolded, eight heart shapes have been cut out. Now, he refolds the newspaper, cuts again and says to the second spectator that her card was the 8 of Spades. She confirms it, and he unfolds the paper to now show eight spade shapes cut out.

Again, the newspaper is folded, and again, the magician makes another cut. Looking at the last spectator, he says that the last card was the 8 of Diamonds. Wrong! It was the 4 of Diamonds. Somewhat startled, the magician does a double take and unfolds the newspaper. Believe it or not, there are now four big Diamonds cut out; he was right all along!

This is a great trick with everyday items with a good surprise ending. You can use any deck of cards, a pair of scissors, and a large sheet of newspaper. Obviously you will need to force all three cards, using any method. On top of the deck, place the 4 of Diamonds, 8 of Spades, and the 8 of Hearts and force from the top in that order making sure you know who has which card!

The newspaper has to be folded in half 4 times as below.

The first cut will be the 8 of Hearts; cut this shape out in the last fold as in the pictures below.

The first cut will be the 8 of Hearts; cut this shape out in the last fold as in the pictures below.

Now, fold it up again and merely cut out the small tail section of the spade. Unfold everything, showing the 8S.

For the last time, fold up the sheet, and this time cut right across the corner of the fold as in the pictures below.

You are now cutting the diamond shape out of every two spades! The audience, of course, is guessing that you thought the last card would be an 8 of Diamonds. So when the last spectator says he has a 4, hesitate and act as if everything has gone wrong. Then, slowly unfold the newspaper and reveal the 4D!

4

ALL CLEAR CHAMPAGNEPREDICTION

Here’s something old and something new. Everything has been combined into a great entertaining routine that is not only baffling, but also very funny. This routine is the outcome of many trial and error attempts to come up with a funny yet different routine. None of the gags are new, and the force isn’t original, but then again many so-called ‘original’ effects these days are impractical and not entertaining. Furthermore, as a successful international old pro in the business, I believe I have stood the test of time and have developed a routine that has worked for over 25 years and is based on solid experience as a performer. It’s like comparing a university academic who has spent their whole life doing research, but has no real-life ‘in the job’ experience to someone that has actual both the academic background and a proven business record - there is a big difference between the two!

Over the years I have felt prey to the hype around new mentalism books and paid the high prices. Guess what? Out of 50 effects I maybe pull one idea and then I usually perform it using my own method. If you are a purist, you will disagree with my philosophy, however, purists don’t really make money - it’s the magicians that focus on the commercial market and perform what works, that do. With that argument I rest my case and introduce what I believe to be one of the hallmark routines in this book. Did I mention that there is no skill and this routine is also easy to do?

The effect is as follows:

You have an A3 size book on display with the word ‘Prediction’ written across cover. A spectator is called onto stage and shown a clear plastic bag containing a number of slips of paper, all of which have been folded into quarters. The spectator puts their hand into the bag, removes a number of these slips, unfolds them one at a time and confirms that different things are written on each slip. Once refolded they are returned to the bag, which is then shaken! The bag is now held behind the spectators back while she reinserts her hand removing ANY slip. Of course, the spectator is given the chance to change her mind and to select any other slip should she wish