Should You Use Playing Cards In Mind Reading & Mentalism Tricks?
There's an ongoing debate between mentalists and mind readers worldwide as to whether you should use playing cards in your mind reading tricks. One group says you should, one group says you shouldn't.
The group that say you shouldn't say that it gives the impression that you are merely a magician doing regular magic tricks. This is understandable as if someone approaches you and a group of friends with a pack of cards in hand and says, “Hey, you guys wanna see some tricks?” you can usually hear a groan among the crowd. Yes, some people enjoy magic tricks but that isn't the point.
The group that says you should say that it depends on the presentation and the actual trick you perform. They say that as long as you explain the use of playing cards in your mind reading then it's ok.
The two groups that are in disagreement both contain famous mind readers and mentalists whose views you should acknowledge and respect. I know of many mentalists who started by using playing cards but over the years decided against them and I know mentalists who did the opposite and introduced them at a later date.
My personal view is that it's OK as long as you do explain the use of them. I usually say that it's a method to connect with people because everyone has seen playing cards before and know what they are. That being said the strongest mind reading tricks I do don't usually include the use of playing cards but then again, some very strong tricks do.
I don't just thrust a pack of cards in peoples faces. I usually warm them up with a few tests or tricks without cards before I pull out the pack. I also could do a private show for about 2 hours without the use of one playing card and I have done this before.
At the end of the day it's completely up to you as long as you respect your craft and make sure you don't mix regular card tricks with your mentalism tricks as this is sure to water them down and give the impression you are just a magician doing 'card tricks'. You might think what tricks can I do without cards? Well you need to either grab Ultimate Mind Reading or The Revelation Technique
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September 21st, 2010 - 11:45
Most of us are semiproffessional entertainers who perform in informal situations, sometimes for the sheer fun of it. Playing cards are rare, in my part of the world, outside the gambling halls. Recently I performed a mental trick similar to the much publicised poker face card effect. After concluding what I thought was a great impromptu perfomance. One of the hotel staff asked :” Do you carry playing cards with you all the time”! It was a real awakening! I believe mentalists should be more spontaneous, utilizing objects within the context of the situation. The objects most people carry the world over are banknotes, keys coins, watches, credit cards, wallets, pens. Sometimes, they do not even have a paper for you to write on! Had I divined the serial number on one of the hotel staffs banknotes I would have been more natural and convincing!