MENTAL CARD

Mental Card

EFFECT: Put a deck of cards in the card box and then put the box into your empty pants pocket.
A spectator is asked to think of a card. Let's say they pick the four of clubs. You reach into your pocket and remove one card from the card box. It is the four of clubs!

The secret is described below and there is also a video to help better explain how the trick should work...

SECRET: Okay, when I described the "effect" above, I left out some details. The spectator is asked to think of a card in a very specific way. In fact, they think they're picking their own card, but in reality, you are forcing them to pick any card that YOU want.

METHOD: Before the trick, peek at the card on top of the deck. Let's say it's the four of clubs. You will force the spectator by asking them a series of questions. Start out by saying, "It's a little confusing to think about the entire deck of 52 cards and then select one, so let's break things down for you..."

QUESTION 1: Would you like numbers or face cards?
If they pick the group you want them to pick (in this case, you want them to pick numbers - or sometimes they're called "spot cards" - because the 4 of clubs is on top and it is a number card) then move on to question number 2.
If they pick the group you DO NOT want them to pick (in this case, you DO NOT want them to pick face cards) then say, "Okay, you've eliminated face cards, so let's work with numbers..." Then move on to question number 2.

QUESTION 2: Would you like Ace through five, or six through ten?
If they pick the group you want them to pick (in this case, you want them to pick Ace through 5 because the 4 of clubs is on top and it is between Ace and 5) then move on to question number 3.
If they DO NOT pick the group you want them to pick (in this case, let's say they choose "six thru ten") then say, "Okay, that leaves us with Ace through five..." Then move on to question number 3.
Are you starting to see the pattern? Narrow it down until all the cards are eliminated EXCEPT the four and do the same with the suits.
TO FORCE CLUBS: "Would you like red cards or black cards?"
"BLACK"
"Great so would you like clubs or spades?"
"Spades"
"Excellent, so that leaves us with clubs and we end up with the four of clubs." (See the trickery?)
Fancy that.

Reach into your pocket and pull out the four of clubs from the top of the deck!
HINT: If you close the card box, but leave the top card "outside" of the card box flap, then it will be easy to remove the top card, WITHOUT having to open the card box! To see what I mean, take one card from a deck, then put the deck into the card box and close it. Now, slide the one card that you removed earlier INTO the card box without opening it. That's the position you want the top card to be in...ready for a quick exit from the box!