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MIND GAMES
Suggestion, prediction and influence games that mess with expectations
1 OF 5 THIS SESSION• RANDOMLY SELECTED
YOUR TRICK
THE CHOICE STEALER
Predict which everyday object they will end up keeping — whatever they touch first.
01
WHAT THEY SEE
Two ordinary objects are placed on the table and a prediction is written before the choice is made. The participant appears to make a completely free decision, yet the object they finally keep matches the prediction exactly.
02
WHAT YOU SAY
I’m going to try something with influence rather than hypnosis.
Here are two completely different objects. I’m committing to a prediction before you do anything.
In a moment, simply touch one of them. Do not overthink it — just go with the first impulse.
Touch one now.
Perfect.
Let’s make the decision final.
And now open the prediction.
03
HOW TO DO IT
- Choose two clearly different objects, for example a key and a coin. Before beginning, write a prediction that says: ‘YOU WILL KEEP THE KEY’ and fold it in full view.
- Place the key and coin side by side and tell the participant to touch one. The wording is deliberately neutral: you have not said whether the touched object will be kept or removed.
- If they touch the key, immediately say: ‘Perfect — keep that one. Push the other away.’
- If they touch the coin, immediately say: ‘Perfect — push that one away. Keep the one you didn’t touch.’
- Do not hesitate between their touch and your instruction. The method works because your continuation sounds like the natural next part of the procedure.
- Once the key is clearly the object they are keeping, stop talking about the selection process.
- Have them open the prediction themselves and let the match land before you say anything else.
04
MAKE IT LOOK RIDICULOUSLY GOOD
THE SHOWMAN’S EDGE
01Write the prediction before the objects are introduced. That makes the ending feel much more impossible.
02Use two objects with very different shapes and meanings; a key and coin are excellent because the final image is easy to remember.
03The secret is confidence. Whichever object they touch, react exactly the same way: ‘Perfect.’ Never look as though you are changing the rules.
04Do not use the words ‘choose one to keep’. Say only ‘touch one’. That keeps both possible endings available.
05As soon as the final object is established, physically move the discarded object well away so attention shifts to the prediction.
06Let the participant unfold and read the prediction aloud if appropriate. Their own voice gives the reveal more weight.
07Do not repeat the trick immediately with the same people. Equivoque is strongest as a single clean moment.
Use harmless everyday objects only. Avoid anything sharp, fragile, valuable or personally sensitive.
SAFE • RESPECTFUL • SERIOUSLY IMPRESSIVE