Some tricks require the spectator to briefly look at a pack of cards on the table and to remember one. It gives the impression that all the cards are present, but in reality, the deck is limited to a few standard cards repeated a few times.

While it usually works well, when the spectator looks down and just think of a card (that you name), there will bound to be a silly spectator in a dozen or so who will just assume that the cards you flash before him are a whole deck and just proceed to name the first card that is on his mind, instead of choosing from the cards you spread out before him. In the end, your trick is ruin, because they do not follow instructions to choose a card from the spread.

Do you guys have this happening to you as well? Please do not name any card tricks here as a few different mental magic tricks use this principle. Don't want to expose any effect.

What do you guys do or say? Do you make the instruction to choose a card from the spread out cards clear, or do you say it in a flippant manner. How do you deal with such a situation other then using a lifeline like kolossal killer to back up the prediction if something like that happen?

Well, I don't have the lifeline to start with in the first place.

Normally, in such a situation where I wanted to control the situation. Let say the pack of cards are needed.

Before I let them think of a card. I will spead the cards out and say, "Look at the cards, and Think of one card." Either that or use "Think of one of them" Or "You have one card in your mind?"

The first and the second situation is very obvious, you make them look at the cards first, before allowing them to think. You must apprehsize that you need them to look at the cards before thinking of one. Which in return, they will think of the first or second card, if those are the obvious.

The third situation is much of a forcing hasty way, you ask them to look at the cards, and immediately say that you got a card in your mind, which they are caught in surprise that they need to think of one(actually whenever we look at cards, we are thinking of a card already) And in hasty, they will just pick a card that they first seen it, which is on the packs.

In short, I think in mentalism, its all about how we use our words to influence people, I think we are more into sleights of word, then sleights of hand.

I do that, but in performing ten times, there will bound to be a dumb spectator who would do something stupid and not listen to the instructions, instead change their minds and think of any card they like. (Maybe it is just my presentation, but I doubt so). When it does go wrong, what do you guys do?

"You have to clearly see that card in your mind so that you can concentrate on it, and then think of it and see every detail of the card."

Hows that? I do that.

I'm not doing a psychological force.

I dont see why you cant say that before you spread the cards to the audiences.

Ok, So let say it happened and the effect doesnt work.

Normally, before I start my effect. I will keep telling the audience to follow what I say, and the trick is not a 100% work effect. (Of course not so direct)

An example is, "Ok, Look at me, I need you to follow what I am telling you now, because this magic is none like others, it requires attention and concentration by the audience himself. You are part of the magic in order for this to work, I got a pack of cards here, and look through the cards, and have a quick memory of 1 card, NOW, LOCK IT" *Snap your fingers"

So in the end, it does fail and eventually they still get a card that is not inside the pack. It havent happen to me before, but I guess I will say, "This magic is a test of the attention and concentration of both me and you, seems like we are not mentally connected before we proceed the trick. But we are close, maybe next time we can try it again"

Ya I guess, thats the worst thing to happen, and its like telling people that you not good, but telling them the possiblity that the effect will fail due to concertation and attention, it actually does help, and if it really works, they feel connected to you and appreciate your efforts.

Ya..

"the impressions were not strong. You DID NOT ACTUALLY see the card did you ?? You need to see that card, in order for me to read your mind. What do you think I am, A MAGICIAN???!!??"

hehehe

Thanks Alex, Larry and Jeff. Those are excellent suggestions.

Well, yeah you'll always get an annoying guy every once in awhile, but these annoying people only pop up if you are forcing the trick on them. I would probably warm them up a little with something that requires no audience participation. You might want to start off with a spoon bend. They'll want to see more. Then i guess you can jump into this patter.

'I've been meaning to try something out. This will only work if we work together. Really follow my instructions.' Take out the pack. 'I'm about to spread through these cards, i don't want you to think of any card at the moment, but as you look through the cards, choose one and keep it in mind.' This should prompt them to select a card and not just think of one.

When they've selected a card, take out there assumed selection and place it face down on the table. 'Now, this genuinely might not work, but if it does we would have just accomplised a miricle. What was the card you were thinking of?'

They will be less inclined to think of a random card if you say 'don't think'. In the end you say 'What was the card you were thinking of' anyway so it's all good. It'll probably work. Hope i helped mate. Take care. :D.

Or you can say, "look at the cards here and choose one that appeals to you the most."

Then, after some patter... pretend that it is very difficult to read, then to do a double check, ask, "Did that card just "popped up" to you just now?"

All these should ensure that the selected card is one that has been SEEN by the spectator.