162 entries in Mental Magic / Principles / Pre-Show
Creators Title Comments & References Year Source Page AA Categories
Theodore Annemann Advance Information getting information before a show about the guests
1935 22
Al Baker Kiddie Party Slate name of two children appears on slates, preshow, flap slate contruction
Also published here 1941 129
John Brown Cook, Arthur H. Buckley Second Sight at First Glance performer is blindfolded, accurate description of the people who put a personal object in an envelope
1947 54
Ormond McGill Secrets of the "Theatre" Mentalist set up for Q&A before the show, in theatre setting, specifics of the audience in that venue
1951 14
Bob Somerfeld Situation Wanted on hot reading, pre-show information
1952 3
Bob Somerfeld On Second Thought spectator named dead person before the show, later envelope with dead name is found by performer and name divined
Related to 1952 5
Gene "Phantini" Grant Million Dollar Sealed Message Test
1955 8
Dr. Stanley Jaks One Is Face Up spectator reverses a card in the deck and seals it, another spectator divines it, clever pre-show wording
Related toAlso published here 1959 8
Dr. Stanley Jaks Omar's Prophecies treatise on the one-ahead triple prediction, sheets labeled with A, B & C
  • Part II (replacing force with known data)
  • Part III (on the selection of people, apparently random)
  • Part IV (staging the routine)
  • Part V (staging for Brainwave)
  • Part VI (handling for the Billet Knife)
  • Part VII (handling for Chuck Smith's M-T Pad)
Related toVariations 1960 1
James Auer Time Bombs on preparing tricks at friends' homes, book tests
1970
Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1969-70)
41
North Bigbee, Dr. Stanley Jaks Dr. Jaks' Secret reading on stage, collecting information before the show, hot reading
1971
Magick (Issue 24)
118
Robert Schwarz Epic Projections triple divination on a slate
1971
Magick (Issue 33)
163
William Patterson A Detective on Obtaining Information on gathering information before the event, hot reading, investigating the audience
1973
Magick (Issue 69)
345
Christopher Rogers The Ultimate Presentation answers and signature of a spectator's friend appear on signed envelopes, envelopes in jar filled with water and pencil leads
1973
Magick (Issue 78)
387
John D. Pomeroy Dr. Q Slate Routine locking flap, duplication of word, number and color
1973 9
Tieneblas Yellow Flowers ... and a Burro cold reading from information overheard earlier
1974
Magick (Issue 92)
458
Orville Wayne Meyer The Pineal Senses playing card, serial number of bill and a name are divined, clever pre-show handling
1976
Magick (Issue 144)
717
Philip T. Goldstein Four-sided Triangle card is thought of before the show, it matches prediction and selection of a second spectator
Related toVariations 1977 5
Philip T. Goldstein Discretion zodiac discs, spectator finds performer's zodiac sign and vice versa
1977 16
Walter B. Gibson, Al Mann Walter's Letter prediction in nest of envelopes, sent to spectator by mail
1977 10
Anthony Raven Chance idea to use a private telephone book to gain information for hot readings
1977
Magick (Issue 170)
848
Chip Cotton Sight Unseen! bluff design duplication
1977
Magick (Issue 192)
959
Dr. Stanley Jaks Multiple Out Ruse giving an envelope to a spectator
1979 12
Karroll Priest Guest Shot mind reading on the radio, people call in
1979
Magick (Issue 241)
1203
Thomas Alan Waters Subsidiary Technique
  • Locating the Participants
  • The Last Two Items
  • Clipboard Readings
  • Combinations with other Effects
1981
Mind, Myth & Magick (Issue Psychometry)
143
Gene "Phantini" Grant Interlocked Minds climax for blindfold routine, symbol is divined
1981 87
Gene "Phantini" Grant Video Tape Miracle dream vacation prediction on video tape
Inspired by
  • a routine by Bob Dorian
1981 91
Karroll Priest Sleep-Eez on combining mentalism and hypnotism
1981
Magick (Issue 290)
1448
Dr. Stanley Jaks Eine liegt verkehrt spectator reverses a card in the deck and seals it, another spectator divines it, clever pre-show wording
Also published here Dec. 1981
Intermagic (Vol. 8 No. 4)
137
Bruce Bernstein Clip Number two people think of numbers before the show, prediction of total
Also published here 1981 30
Edward Marlo, Stephen Tucker It just don't add up? not really by Marlo?!, on casting out tens clocking, with pre-show application
Aug. 1982
Spell-Binder (Vol. 2 No. 16)
306
James S. Harto The Chandra 20th Century Message Reading with question chart for pre-show
1983 8
Joseph Dunninger A Sensational Test methods for gaining information, with assistants
  • An Unusual Dramatic Interlude (pre-show)
  • Returning Marked Envelopes to Spectators During the Speciality (unopened, flashlight)
  • Another Method (gist written on envelope)
  • Another Ruse (gist on watch)
1983 6
Bob Haines Design Dubli-kits spectator draws design in other room and can chose color, before the show
Jan. 1983
Magick (Issue 313)
1563
Denny Laub, Gary Inglese The Dream named selection has spectator's name on its back
Variations Oct. 1983
Magick (Issue 324)
1617
Thomas Alan Waters Pierception with box, thought of card
1984
Mind, Myth & Magick (Issue Cardiact)
527
Joseph Dunninger, Al Mann Methods of Gaining Information for Performer for the blindfold drive
  • A: The Impression Envelope
  • B: The Stuffed Pen
  • C: Stuffed Cigarette
  • D: Contact Mindreading
  • E: Impression Notebook
  • F: (publicity with VIPs)
  • G: A Confederate
  • H: Clip Boards, Etc.
  • I: Audience Participation (with changing bag)
1984 3
Dr. Lawrence Weinstein Media Delight pre-show for TV, using picture cards
Feb. 1984
Magick (Issue 328)
1639
Denny Laub, Gary Inglese Simulcast! card at any number, half forcing deck
Aug. 1984
Magick (Issue 337)
1681
Jack Kent Tillar Challenge Test books bought in advance, using daub
Sep. 1984
Magick (Issue 338)
1689
Thomas Alan Waters, Gerard Croiset Chairvoyance prediction of a person, description of her and short reading, row and seat number, in envelope, multiple strategies discussed
1985
Mind, Myth & Magick (Issue Myxtyr)
639
Charles W. Simon On the Technique of Stashing on preparing tricks or obtaining information and using it at an opportune moment
  • Utilized be Houdini
  • A Favorite Ploy of Spiritualists
  • It's a Familiar Concept
  • Personal Uses
  • And by Long Distance
  • Thinking Ahead
  • With Cards
  • Or... with Books
  • Your Words make a Difference
May 1985
Magick (Issue 351)
1755
The Amazing Maurice, Gene Nielsen Psychic Rising Cards cards chosen from zip loc bag in pre-show, then "thought-of" cards rise during performance
1985 5
Bruce Bernstein Clip Number two people think of numbers before the show, prediction of total
Also published here 1985 7
Rudolf Braunmüller Das 3-Pfeiler-Experiment card apparently only thought-of is predicted, Monte Cristo deck
Inspired by Dec. 1986
Intermagic (Vol. 12 No. 3 & 4)
170
Bob Haines It's Philatelic! divination of chosen stamp, various spectator select stamps
July 1987
Magick (Issue 393)
1963
Ross Johnson Double Speak spectator selects word from newspaper, prediction in envelope given to other spectator before the show
Feb. 1988
Magick (Issue 402)
2007
Charles "Cicardi" Scott Psychic Square people write numbers on billets and place them inside box, sixteen are selected and performer tells spectator where to write them down, Magic Square number matches number a spectator is thinking of, Otis Manning box
May 1988
Magick (Issue 405)
2021
Charles "Cicardi" Scott, Mike Schwartz, Bob Syrup Mind Storm objects and words are noted before the show by spectators and placed inside envelopes, information is revealed during show and enveloped allocated correctly
Oct. 1988
Magick (Issue 411)
2051
Bruce Barnett Dream World chosen Tarot card has name on back
Inspired by Mar. 1989
Magick (Issue 419)
2095
Charles "Cicardi" Scott Just Testing using Grismer's "What's Your Sign" for pre-show work
Related to Aug. 1989
Magick (Issue 427)
2134
Neal Rider Initials psychological forces with audience (Major effects), then one spectator receives initials transmitted by performer, written on paper ball
Nov. 1989
Magick (Issue 431)
2154
Steve Beam Brained a card peeked, one remembered from looking at the fan, third one thought of, one by one performer reverses cards behind his back, see also p. 578 for ideas by Harry Levine
1990 561
Charles "Cicardi" Scott The Phoenix Concept carbon clipboard impression device
  • The Device
  • The Approach
  • Choosing a Spectator
  • Introducing the Clipboard (Ray Grismer's Whats Your Sign?, no details)
  • The Next Step (mathematical number divination, see Annemann reference)
  • And the Real Work
Related to Feb. 1990
Magick (Issue 435)
2177
Tyson Opening Up humorous prediction, jumbo card held and spectator names any card
May 1990
Magick (Issue 439)
2195
Riley G. Matthews Shape & Color spectator selects color and draws symbol before the show, duplication of shape and correct color
Oct. 1990
Magick (Issue 446)
2230
Richard Mark Pre-Show Work: An Analysis
  • Impression Device
  • Beware of Ethical Issues
  • Classifications
  • Time
  • Audience Cooperation
  • Presentation
  • Performance Attributes
  • Four-Side Triangle
  • Get Started
Nov. 1990
Magick (Issue 447)
2237
Ted Karmilovich Hidden Thoughts before the spectator writes down a color, a word and a number and puts sheets inside envelopes, during show performer divines content and finds correct envelopes
Related to July 1991
Magick (Issue 457)
2283
Docc Hilford Hypno Daze spectator is blindfolded and scribbles on business card, initials of selection can be read, spectator also writes other information for instance date of coin
Oct. 1991
Magick (Issue 462)
2309
Jeff Evason Cardstab Routine thought of card is found
Inspired by 1991 34
Ross Johnson Kross Out the Sins of Omission drawing, number and word written down and sealed in envelopes before the show are divined
Inspired by
  • "Sins of Omission" (Dan Huffman, Linking Ring, Vol. 67 No. 11, Nov. 1987)
Related to
1991 79
Marcello Truzzi Cards out of Mind pre-show strategy, revealing a known person
Nov. 1992
Magick (Issue 480)
2400
Dan Tong Prediction dual reality, apparently spectator drew picture at home, using Larry White's Get The Picture envelope
1992 87
Larry Becker Transparen-See using Himber wallet / Becker Blockbuster wallet
  • Pre-Show Variation
1992 409
Richard Mark Into the Fourth Dimension three envelope test, name, hobby and zodiac sign, symbol duplication as finale
Sep. 1992
Vibrations (Vol. 15 No. 3)
1
Joseph Dunninger Psycho Thought
1994
Rigmarole (Issue 8)
90
Ted Lesley Herald from the Invisible Realms an invisible though of card is put in an invisible envelope and sealed in an empty visible envelope, including sticker with named number, Teleport Envelope
Related to 1994 196
Jonathan Cooke Make an Impression wax impression device, design duplication
Oct. 1994
Vibrations (Vol. 17 No. 4)
4
Bruce Bernstein Mentalist's Card Through Table named card penetrates table
Also published here 1994 15
John Riggs A Bird of Different Feather bag with cards cut in quarters, performer finds pieces of thought of card
Inspired by
  • Robert Baker's "Birds of a Feather" in "Shared Thoughts"
1995 65
Samuel Hawley News-Wordy spectator circles word on newspaper before the show, word is divined
Related to 1995
Syzygy (Vol. 1 No. 11)
46
Ross Johnson The Really Real Prediction numbers are formed using a bill, telephone number and a credit card, prediction of total
Inspired by
  • Jack London's "Almost Real Prediction"
1995
Syzygy (Vol. 1 No. 13)
57
Ken Grady Domestic Deception picture duplication, clock is chosen and also time matches
1995
Syzygy (Vol. 1 No. 14)
62
Thomas Gentle Kismet's Journey thought of traveling route through the US is divined by performer
1995
Syzygy (Vol. 2 No. 2)
93
John Riggs Dream Design cards with various symbols, one is named and on the back is name of spectator
Inspired by 1995
Syzygy (Vol. 2 No. 2)
95
Lee Earle Dream Scheme dream of spectator predicted printed in a book
Related to 1996
Syzygy (Vol. 3 No. 3)
185
Grocki Safely Sealed three words from books are divined, before the show words were chosen and books sealed in envelopes
1996
Syzygy (Vol. 3 No. 4)
190
Mark Edward Reigning Cats and Dogs three spectator select either the word cat or dog before the show and each choses a letter, performer divines words and places people in order so word can be read, humorous routine
1996
Syzygy (Vol. 3 No. 8)
211
Bruce Bernstein Emergency Mentalism things written on stripper business cards from different persons from audience, design duplication, book test application (making number from digits written by spectators)
Also published here 1996
Syzygy (Vol. 3 No. 15)
246
David Harkey, Eric Anderson Scatterbrain page of newspaper torn according to spectator's wishes until piece remains, word chosen on it, predicted, bluff
1997 15
Bruce Bernstein Trans-Premonition spectator thinks of a card before the show, during the show two decks are displayed, named card is missing in one deck and is found in other
Related to
  • Stan Loebstein's "Premonition Outdone"
Also published here
1997 4
Bruce Bernstein Impossible Bank Night before the show, bill is signed and placed inside envelope, spectator hands stack of envelopes during show and all but one are burnt
Also published here 1997 8
Bruce Bernstein Logical Headline Prediction
Also published here 1997 45
Bruce Bernstein Win Some Free Information collecting information before the show setting up a raffle
1997 47
Bruce Bernstein Emergency Mentalism blank cards are handed out before the show and spectators can write words are draw anything, method to use certain cards which can be allocated as well, concept
Also published here 1997 54
Harry Lorayne Better Than A Clipboard using Himber wallet to get information from spectator
1998 154
Scott Shoemaker Picture Perfect divination of a though
1998
Syzygy (Vol. 4 No. 8)
299
Tony Kent, Lee Earle Brain Book list with words that are hard to spell, several spectator select one before the show, performer divines all the word using a dictionary
1998
Syzygy (Vol. 4 No. 12)
318
Bruce Bernstein Trans-Premonition spectator thinks of a card before the show, during the show two decks are displayed, named card is missing in one deck and is found in other
Also published here 1998 1
Richard Osterlind About Modern Pre-Show Work
1999 92
Steve "Banachek" Shaw Channel Change two-digit number is divined, using a TV and a remote control
1999
Syzygy (Vol. 4 No. 15)
333
Scott Shoemaker Actions Speak Louder three spectators think of an easy action to do, performer divines actions by doing them on stage
1999
Syzygy (Vol. 5 No. 2)
357
Danny Archer Easy Epic Mental Epic type routine with books, flashback book
Aug. 2000
Magic (Vol. 9 No. 12)
78
Ted Karmilovich The No-Prop Nightclub Act reading of zodiac signs, number projection to audience and Q&A finale
  • The Astrology Segment
  • The Thought Projection Segment
  • The Q&A Segment
  • Final Thoughts
2001 1
Ted Karmilovich The Q&A Segment
2001 7
David Berglas Musical Mindreading several instruments on stage, performer divines thought of instruments and selected song by playing it, then some rhythms are written on cards and shuffled, performer divines the order by playing them on an instrument
Related to 2002 86
David Berglas Pre-Show in TV
2002 94
David Berglas Memory and Mathematics pseudo mental arithmetic routine, spectators write cards with numbers, ends with a huge number, clever presentation
2002 261
David Berglas The Quizzing Glass selected time and object are predicted and engraved on sculpture
2002 494
David Berglas Te Bah Pla and Name Discovery performer writes alphabet backwards while reciting it normally, then a name is divined
2002 497
Chuck Hickok Three Kinds of Pre-Show Work on pre-show and preparations before a gig
2002 45
Chuck Hickok Demonstration Five: Anything Can Be Learned spectator divines symbol, number and word from other spectator, dotted information
2002 107
Tony Bartolotta Nothing Just Happens two cards chosen by two people from two decks before the show and signed on the back, in the show they are compared and found identical
Related to 2002
Discoverie (Issue 7)
99
Al Baker Kiddie Party Slate name of two children appears on slates, preshow, flap slate contruction
Also published here 2003
The Secret Ways of Al Baker (Issue Magical Ways and Means)
262
Eric Mead 52 on 1 to One fifty-two on one gag, then named card is actually predicted
Also published here 2003 13
Anthony Owen Number At Card deck with numbers on the backs, named card has named number on back, two versions
Also published here 2003 2
Robert Fellows The Magazine Clippping Prediction spectator's birthday is divined and predicted on magazine clipping
2003 223
Luke Jermay Pre Show Sripting
2004 24
David P. Abbott Best of All Slate Writing Introduction and Epilogue by Teller
several slates wiped clean, message for a spectator appears on one
Aug. 2004
Genii (Vol. 67 No. 8)
69
Robert Cassidy Pre-show clipboard technique pre-show strategy, pretending show is recorded
2004 180
Jim Steinmeyer I Know What You're Thinking
  • Conjuring
spectator thinks of a three-digit number, three gag predictions pulled out of an envelope and on their back are the three digits
Jan. 2004
Magic (Vol. 13 No. 5)
86
Paolo Cavalli, Massimo Tira Wook spectator choses word from book before the show, other spectator selects same word from book during the show
Inspired by 2004 10
Wonder Man Fred Headline Prediction oder Headline Production on the headline prediction, sent by mail
  • Die massgeblichen Kriterien
  • Die Herstellung gleicher Umschläge
  • Der Austausch
2004 289
Paolo Cavalli, Massimo Tira Odds & Ends, Bits & Pieces, Miscellanea brief notes on Pre-Show, umbrella analogy, a book test, pencil reading, sound reading, nail writer, stooges, FX
2004 47
Paolo Cavalli Pun thought of word is whispered to other person, who has to come up with a new word, repeated with 5 more people, last word is named and performer divines word, then a word written on a business card is read by one person and apparently mis-remembered
2005 47
Paolo Cavalli Extreme Overdrive card is thought of before the show, number is named by other spectator and card is found at position
Inspired by 2005 67
Eric Mead Fifty-Two on One to One fifty-two on one gag, then all cards fall off except chosen one
Also published here 2006 151
Luke Jermay The Ninth Reality
  • The New Mind
"The Tossed Out, Up, And Around Deck"
on dual reality, method mix for tossed-out deck
Nov. 2007
Genii (Vol. 70 No. 11)
21
Patrik Kuffs Back Perception
  • Mind Stunts
object divined with three questions, with comments on pre-show
Dec. 2011
Genii (Vol. 74 No. 12)
27
Bruce Bernstein Taboo - Preshow Version divination of three taboos
2012 11
Bruce Bernstein Emergency Mentalism blank cards are handed out before the show and spectators can write words are draw anything, method to use certain cards which can be allocated as well, concept
Also published here 2012 32
Bruce Bernstein Logical Headline Prediction
Also published here 2012 39
Bruce Bernstein Clip Number two people think of numbers before the show, prediction of total
Also published here 2012 69
Bruce Bernstein Impossible Bank Night before the show, bill is signed and placed inside envelope, spectator hands stack of envelopes during show and all but one are burnt
Also published here 2012 83
Bruce Bernstein Trans-Premonition spectator thinks of a card before the show, during the show two decks are displayed, named card is missing in one deck and is found in other
Also published here 2012 122
Bruce Bernstein Mentalist's Card Through Table named card penetrates table
Also published here 2012 130
Bruce Bernstein The Gathering of Information
2012 186
Dr. Stanley Jaks One is Face Up spectator reverses a card in the deck and seals it, another spectator divines it, clever pre-show wording
Also published here 2014 201
Alexander de Cova Dual Reality card chosen before the show in pre-show, that card travels from deck to deck in performance
2015 299
Vanni Bossi Pre-show within the Show "name your favorite card"
2016 126
Zee J. Yan 花非花 Magician correctly divines name of spectator's lover
2017 73
Anthony Owen Number At Card deck with numbers on the backs, named card has named number on back, two versions
Also published here 2017 175
Gerry McCambridge Chapter 6: Using Cancelling Methods
  • Pre-Show Patter
  • Onstage Patter
2017 29
Asi Wind Prologue
2021 1
Asi Wind First Impressions on pre-show versus stooging, moral versus artistic choices
2021 3
Asi Wind Selecting Targets choosing the spectator
2021 9
Asi Wind Approaching Targets
  • Justification
  • Walk-Around
2021 11
Asi Wind Tools
2021 17
Asi Wind Obtaining Information
  • Center Tears
  • Peeks
  • Billet Switches
  • Peek Wallets
  • Impression Devices
  • Apps
  • Playing Cards
  • Research
2021 18
Asi Wind Book Impression Device Handling
2021 20
Asi Wind Forcing
  • Playing Cards
  • Blank Cards
  • Svengali Pads
  • Numbers
  • Apps
2021 21
Asi Wind Scripting
  • Pre-Show Script - Drawing Duplication
  • Show Script - Drawing Duplication
Related to 2021 25
Asi Wind Camouflage
  • Pre-Show Script (Excerpt)
  • Show Script (Excerpt)
  • Randomness (on selecting spectators)
  • Shifting Focus (Nimrod Harel, Joshua Jay)
  • The Challenge (Luke Jermay)
  • Changing Your Mind (Luke Jermay, Nimrod Harel)
  • Have We Ever Met Before?
Related to 2021 33
Asi Wind Assisted Pre-Show
  • Assistant's Pre-Show Script
  • Mentalist's Show Script
2021 45
Asi Wind Unusual Pre-Show
  • Incomplete Pre-Show
  • Open Pre-Show
  • Half-Open Pre-Show
  • Candid Pre-Show (Nimrod Harel)
  • Expandable Pre-Show
  • Eavesdropping
  • Across Time and Space (Michael Skinner's conversation notebook)
  • Pre-Order
2021 51
Jamy Ian Swiss Book Test Pre-Show spectator's favorite book and its content are divined, as kicker for a book test routine
2021 56
Asi Wind An Ounce of Prevention
  • Cue Sheet
  • Preventing Exposure
  • Overuse
  • Missing Targets
  • Unchangeables
2021 63
Asi Wind Video & TV
2021 69
Asi Wind Virtual Pre-Show
2021 73
Derek Hughes Virtual Bold Book Test
Inspired by 2021 74
Asi Wind WikiTest as Virtual Pre-Show handling for Marc Kerstein's app
2021 76
Asi Wind Book Test
  • Pre-Show Script
  • Show Script
2021 79
Asi Wind Think of a Name
  • Pre-Show Script
  • Show Script
2021 84
Asi Wind, Max Maven A Brief History credit information
2021 89
Asi Wind, Max Maven Max Maven
2021 95
Max Maven On the Pre-Show in The Four-Sided Triangle
Related to 2021 101
Asi Wind, Penn Jillette Penn Jillette
2021 109
Asi Wind, Luke Jermay Luke Jermay
2021 123
Asi Wind Final Words
2021 141
Anson Chen Non-Duality spectator divines card other spectator selects, dual-reality to cover method
2023 54
Asi Wind Anybody & Nobody deck with random marks on the side, spectator removes bunches of cards so two piles are made, one has "Nobody" written on the edges, the other a chosen first name, no faros, Rounders corner stripper deck, with introductory discussion about the effect by John Graham and Asi Wind
  • Getting the Name (Three Methods)
    • 1. Pre-Show
    • 2. With an Assistant (no pre-show)
    • 3. iCurveball (no pre-show, no assistant)
Inspired by
  • no-faro Unshuffled on television by Nimrod Harel
2023 39
Jim Steinmeyer That Seat is Taken
  • Conjuring
six chairs with envelopes, procedure to get six spectators sitting on them, the envelopes contain predictions on the choices including the only female spectator's name
Inspired byRelated to Feb. 2024
Genii (Vol. 87 No. 2)
48