"I firmly believe that it does not matter what you use for a mental effect as long as you use it correctly."- Tony Corinda on the use of cards in mentalism, 13 Steps to Mentalism, Introduction to Step 10
The use of Cards in Mentalism has these days been discussed over and over on the discussion boards on the net. I will not talk about it, but I know how powerful it can be in performance. Just remember what Osterlind says about it : normal people use cards to play games and gamble, not to do card tricks with. If you can relate your apparent abilities to tangible advantages, it becomes so much more meaningful. Like gambling...who wouldn't want to be able to just know what cards their opponents are holding? Of course, this leaves the other question open - if you could really do this, in the real world, why are you not on ESPN winning all the Poker tournaments...? Of course, there are presentational angles around this...and it's every man for himself out there - why are YOU not a Poker millionaire?
The following sources are all pertaining to the use of Cards in a Mentalism setting. Take note that many many many tricks can be presentationally altered to get your desired result (I feel for instance that a Signed Card to Wallet effect won't go down well in a straight mental act, but if you change the presentation from the card that jumped to your pocket to an effect where they imagined something or maybe it's a prediction etc. then you should be able to pull it off very well.) Just remember, mentalism has traditionally been the discipline in magic that demands much more from the presentational and showmanship skills of the performer, as more often than not there aren't doves and huge card fans to hold an audience's attention.
Much card magic can be changed to give it a more 'psychic' look by using different cards.You can use a poker-sized tarot deck, or a set of ESP cards. By suiting the presentation to your needs you can easily change the MAGIC TRICK to become a real MENTALISM effect.
Richard Osterlind
One of the people in recent times to really change the way most magicians (and mentalists!) see cards in mentalism has been Richard Osterlind. Even though he introduced his Breakthrough Card System more than 20 years ago, it was only recently with the release of his Mind Mysteries set of DVD's that it has gotten the attention it truly deserves - as most people agrees that it is destined to be one of the great inventions (or rather Discoveries) of magic's history. You can basically learn this stack in the following places:
- Mind Mysteries Volume 2 (DVD) USA UK
This DVD really shows you the impact mentalism with cards can have. Effects on here include a classic-style Card Calling Routine and a Blackjack demonstration where the performer seemingly counts and intuits cards at the same time. This DVD has some great lessons in ENTERTAINING with cards. - Breakthrough Card System (20th Anniversary Edition) USA
- Also, the Guidebook for Mind Mysteries Volume 2 USA
Osterlind also has a very neat gaffed deck out, called The Radar Deck (Video Clip - The Radar Deck). Up to 4 people just think of a card in a deck, and you name it. They just see the card, they never touch it. This is available at:
Docc Hilford
Docc Hilford is also a great thinker with a lot of thoughts on playing cards. The following is just a small sample of what he has published in the area of mentalism with playing cards...
The Cassandra Deck : This is a special deck of cards designed by Dicc Hilford for a host of different mental effects. You can know where any card is at any given moment, people can select cards by hand, it can be repeatedly shuffled etc. This is published in the following places:
- The Cassandra Deck DVD (2 hours of effects and explanations of what is possible with this deck) USA USA UK
- Cassandra Deck book USA
- Fem Fatale Book (64 effects that include a Tossed-Out Deck routine, Blackjack Demonstrations and all sorts of other applications). USA USA
It's a Lulu - a complete routine, designed for Nightclubs (but usable anywhere you would like), done complete blindfolded. The performer reads the mind of the complete audience, climaxing in knowing the name of one of the people that selected a card. This is really an extremely entertaining routine, done while truly blindfolded, and using a diabolical method that can be applied for many other routines as well... USA
Paul Vigil
Paul Vigil has not yet published a lot of routines, but I hope he really continues with his work. You can find detailed reviews of his pieces, Diplopia and Sympathy (for the Devil) Cards here...
Kenton Knepper
Kolossal Killer. This is without a doubt one of the very best pieces of pure mentalism that you could think of. The premise is simple, the method direct. The performer removes his wallet from his pocket and says something along the lines of : "Sir, I have your card in my wallet. Name any card..." The spectator names ANY card. The performer, in all his omniscience (or is that omnipotence?), opens his wallet and removes...the very card named by the spectator. (Of course, needless to say, the wallet is not as thick as a pack of cards...) USA USA
Marc Oberon
Bang On. In effect, this is almost similar to Kenton Knepper's Kolossal Killer. The performer also begins with something like : "Sir, your card is in my wallet...what card are you thinking of?" The moment the spectator names a card, the performer reaches into his pocket, takes out his wallet, shakes out a small envelope, opens it up and removes one single card...the named card. Very straightforward and shocking to behold. USA USA UK
Downloads (trickshop.com)
Annemann on Card Magic eBook
From Theodore Annemann himself - handpicked from the fabulous JINX magazine. These are effects used to this day by many of the world's top performers. Included are routines and ideas by the likes of Al Baker, Dai Vernon, Dr. Jacob Daley, Audley Walsh, Charles T. Jordan, Orville Meyer, Lu Brent, Stewart Judah etc etc etc
David Hoy's Tossed Out Deck eManuscript
A classic of mentalism. A deck is shuffled and wrapped in a rubber band. It is then tossed out into the audience, and three spectators are asked to peek at a random card. Of course, the performer reveals the cards one by one. This is the original method and presentation...
Higher Mentality eManuscript - JB Bobo
The minds of 5 spectators are read : mentally selected cards are divined by the performer. ANY deck can be used, and the deck is handled by the spectators themselves..
Other downloads>>
