Gag

124 entries in Mental Magic / Effects / Gag
Creators Title Comments & References Year Source Page AA Categories
Friedrich "Fritz" Hügli Wenn zwei daselbe tun... writing "the same" as spectator on a piece of paper, joke
 		1930
Zauberkunststücke
51
Dr. Edward G. Ervin Comedy Slate Test humorous message appears on one of two slates
 		1937
The Strange Inventions of Doctor Ervin
33
Robert Parrish The "Direct" Divination joke, spectator choked if he does not comply
Related to 1939
Do That Again!
17
Len Barker Phoney Telepathy gag routine, one sucker
 		Aug. 1939
Chap's Scrapbook (Vol. 2 No. 2)
4
George G. Kaplan Card, Crystal Ball, and Panties impromptu stooge, card visible in crystal ball, then performer reads spectator's mind with gag revelation (paper panties)
Related toVariations 1948
The Fine Art of Magic
301
Herb Runge Go! closing trick, spectator choses word "go" from a book and performer does just that
 		May 1952
The Phoenix (Issue 255)
1020
Stewart James Hotelepathy names written on cards are selected and appear on suitcase, two times and ends with a gag, uses Jack Hughes' Attaboy
 		1957
Magic Mine No. 1
26
Don Tanner Royal Box image of skull appears on blank card in a box, spectator has thought of any dead president, gag
 		Mar. 1957
Ibidem (Issue 9)
10
Sydney Bergson Psychiatrix comedy drawings, stack some are selected and divined
Inspired by
  • Roger Price's Droodles
 1959
Mentalism & Its Presentation
33
Norman Houghton Chinese Mindreading comedy routine in which the performer doesn't read any minds at all and is alway wrong on purpose
 		Mar. 1961
Ibidem (Issue 23)
21
Paul Marcus The Tehunga's Secret comedy routine, question is answered, answer appears on unknown language on slate and performer translates
 		Mar. 1963
The New Phoenix (Issue 378)
339
Terry Nosek Stock Market Manipulations cards with companies and their price of the stock, selected stock checked in the newspaper loses and performer's stock is worth more
 		1966
Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1965-66)
42
Jesse J. Langston Jr. Crystal Dazer crystal ball with flash bulb inside, for McAthy's Insurance Policy effect
 		Apr. 1966
The New Jinx (Vol. 4 No. 48)
196
Ernesto "Ernest" Pracchia Transmision Gags gag, bills are produced, thrown on the floor and then performer blindfolds himself to pick them up, hole in blinfold
 		1967
Toda la Magia Moderna en un Pañuelo
57
George B. Anderson A Guide for Word Divinations puns/lines to use for divining each letter of the alphabet
 		1968
You, Too, Can Read Minds
20
George McLean Colorvision Gag practical joke with colorvision
Related to Dec. 1969
The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 5 No. 2)
306
Roy Johnson Burst comedy routine, stack of picture and word cards, one is predicted and water appears from card
 		1971
Second Time Around
6
Roy Johnson, Morty Rudnick The Schmuck Prediction! four way out prediction envelope, "all schmucks choose ..."
Also published here 1971
Second Time Around
39
Roy Johnson, Morty Rudnick The "Thanks to Morty Schmuck Prediction"!!! four way out prediction envelope, "all schmucks choose ..."
Also published here Mar. 1971
Talisman (Vol. 1 No. 52)
340
Billy McComb "P" pea can, spectator writes letter on billet, put in tube, changes into water, pee gag
 		1972
McComb's Magic — 25 Years Wiser
132
Anthony Raven Number, Please apparently telephone number is divined, 'my number'
 		1975
Magick (Issue 138)
689
Richard Merry, George Mackenzie Humoristische Vortragssplitter und Magische Gags various gags
  • Begrüßung
  • Freiwillige Helfer
  • Geld (Münzfang)
  • Handguillotine
  • Kopfguillotine
  • Karten
  • Mentalmagie
  • Schwebeeffekte (Sambakugel)
  • Seile
  • Verschiedenes
  • Wenn das Weihnachtsfest vorbei ist
  • Zauberstab
  • Zigaretten
Also published here
  • The Gen & Genii
 Nov. 1975
Intermagic (Vol. 3 No. 1 & 2)
24
Robert Cassidy Presidential Portraits American president is named, dummy picture is shown and name show on the back of picture as a kicker
Variations 1977
Pseudo-Mentally Yours
7
Steve Beam Mental Address Book gag for getting phone number of spectator
 		1978
They Don't Make Trap Doors Like They Used To Do Or You Too Can Walk On Water
1
Rudolf Braunmüller Spaß Muss Sein "Vortragssplitter und Gags für Magier und Conferenciers"
  • Afghan Bänder
  • Applaus
  • Assistenten
  • Geld
  • Finger Guillotine
  • Handschellen
  • Hund
  • Karten
  • Kinder
  • Manipulation
  • Mentalmagie
  • Ringspiel
  • Pistole
  • Verschiedenes
  • Würfel
 		Oct. 1978
Intermagic (Vol. 5 No. 3)
102
C. L. Boarde Brass - Variation B divination of word from a book, with gag prediction
 		1978
Mainly Mental Vol. 2 — Book Tests
125
Larry Becker Snakes Alive comedy routine, no gag and spring snakes in tins in combination with "just chance"
Inspired by
  • Ken de Courcy's "Four Color Chance" marketed through Supreme Magic, 1977.
 1979
The Best of Larry Becker's World of Super Mentalism Book II
26
Paul Maurer Mentalmagie Eröffnungseffekt baby gag, person and amount of money in spectator's pocket is predicted on business card, nail writer with a pen / ink
 		1980
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 41 No. 4)
139
George B. Anderson A Daylight Darkroom Seance routine for just one spectator on stage, à la Power of Darkness, Hermann rope tie to imitate a Dark room Seance
 		1980
Let The Audience Do The Show
9
Gene "Phantini" Grant The Impossible Thrown-Out Deck tossed out deck gag
 		1981
Phantini's Incredible Mental Secrets Volume Two
104
Phillip Young It's Gone Astray marked coin under ashtray, joke
 		1982
Fingers don't Entertain, People Do
32
Stephen Tucker Weird comedy routine, one to five fingers gag with handkerchief, rubber fingers in small box as prediction
Also published here Nov. 1982
Spell-Binder (Vol. 2 No. 19)
362
Tommy Tucker The Con! out for situation where spectator won't name the word and says "You Tell Me" instead
 		July 1982
Magick (Issue 308)
1538
Steve Beam Lock & Key producing a lock, to add humor to a prediction, wordplay
 		1983
The Trapdoor — Volume One (Issue 1)
9
Steve Beam Math comedy prediction, unsolvable math question, in envelope
 		1983
The Trapdoor — Volume One (Issue 1)
14
Steve Beam Name-Calling toy license plates, performer tries to divine spectator's name, holds up wrong plate and puts it in an envelope, name on plate transforms into name of spectator, comedy routine
 		1983
The Trapdoor — Volume One (Issue 2)
17
Stephen Tucker Letraset magician's gag, prediction faking to write with a nail writer
 		Jan. 1983
Spell-Binder (Vol. 2 No. 21)
401
Robert Cassidy The Religious Coin prediction of date of coin, gag
 		1984
The Art of Mentalism
77
Thomas Alan Waters, Stanley Collins Kineslate gag divination, won turns into one on a slate
 		1985
Mind, Myth & Magick (Issue Fynys)
748
Don Tanner Noch ein paar Effektideen - 2. skull appears on business card in card box prop (freely named but dead person)
Related to Dec. 1986
Intermagic (Vol. 12 No. 3 & 4)
183
Steve Beam Bird Brain joke, dove poops as many times as thought of number, see p. 421 for comment an alternative effect
Related toVariations 1988
The Trapdoor — Volume One (Issue 24)
419
Dr. Dan J. Alessini Couch Potato two decks with cards, names of famous people in one deck and occupations in other deck, spectator selects name of husband and "couch potato"
 		Mar. 1988
Magick (Issue 403)
2013
Karrell Fox The "Just Right" Prediction "You are right" on prediction changes into name of actual card
 		1988
My Latest Book
96
Richard Bartram, Jr. The Dunninger Dove gag, variation, bird on a perch
Inspired by 1989
The Trapdoor — Volume Two (Issue 27)
481
Stephen Tucker Bizarr! comedy routine, one to five fingers gag with handkerchief, rubber fingers in small box as prediction
Also published here Oct. 1989
Intermagic (Vol. 15 No. 1)
20
Philip T. Goldstein Musicon humorous prediction, cards with names of various tunes, prediction in form of cards with notes on it, letters on the back form name of selected song
 		Apr. 1990
Magick (Issue 437)
2185
Thomas Alan Waters No/No named number is predicted in sealed envelope, with No gag, carbon envelope
Related toAlso published here July 1990
Magick (Issue 442)
2209
Marc Roman The Write Price prediction of product from a store, bar code gag, prize predicted on back
 		Nov. 1990
Magick (Issue 448)
2241
Larry Becker Borgia's Goblets using invisible goblets which are destroyed with a real hammer, shattering noice can be heard, number of last goblet is predicted, using a Crazy Hammer
 		Aug. 1991
Magick (Issue 459)
2293
Manuel Muerte, Guillaume le Grand Magic Fingers finger falls off hand, gag divination of thought-of number
 		1991
Hardcore
80
Philip T. Goldstein True Hue colors on cards used for selection of a color, this is predicted, includes sucker gag prediction
 		Aug. 1992
New Sorcerer (Vol. 1 No. 2)
8
Steve Beam Fantasy Vacation I vacation prediction, no gag, spectator sits on envelope
 		1992
The Trapdoor — Volume Two (Issue 45)
809
Thomas Alan Waters No/No. named number is predicted in sealed envelope, with No gag, carbon envelope
Related to
  • Gene Grant's "Vision of the Future" in "Phantini's Incredible Mental Secrets", 1960
Also published here 		1993
Mind, Myth & Magick (Issue Magazine Miscellanea)
454
Meine Telefon-Nummer "my phone number" gag
 		1993
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 55 No. 2)
25
Ostfriesen-Trick 1 to 5 prediction trick, finger under handkerchief
 		1993
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 55 No. 2)
25
Al Mann The Street Challenges answer when someone says "Tell me what I am thinking"
 		1994
Challenges
4
Joseph Dunninger, Marvin Miller Destiny's Diciple with addition by Marvin Miller (see reference)
Related toAlso published here 1994
Challenges
5
Steve Dusheck Unpredictable one spectator cannot read the prediction, another one can, first one sees "I don't know how to read"
 		1994
Dusheck's Close-Up Magic
66
Christopher Caldwell Body Parts cards with body parts, fake eyeball as prediction
 		1994
Syzygy (Vol. 1 No. 6)
26
Jim Magus Ghost in the Machine total of added numbers reads ghost when reversed
 		Mar. 1994
Vibrations (Vol. 16 No. 9)
6
Gary Dudash Phone-Y ESP apparently twin calls, to reveal written thought, toy phone
 		May 1994
Vibrations (Vol. 16 No. 11)
8
Yes-No Gag
1996
The Warpsmith Returns
6
Peter Duffie The Supernal Datebook diary with objects written next to every day, date chosen with number cards
Inspired by 1996
Method in Effect
17
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
Karl Fulves Greeting Card Wisdom gag cards with prediction of date of birth, has to be known in advance
 		1997
The Fine Print (Issue 6)
161
Philip T. Goldstein Just Chintz just chance with paper bags, five bags contain rubbish and one gold, selected by throwing a die
Also published here July 1997
Mind & Magic Magazine (Vol. 1 No. 1)
8
Quentin Reynolds A Clever Party Stunt psychological game à la the Cube, kokology
 		Dec. 1997
Mind & Magic Magazine (Vol. 1 No. 6)
9
Chris "Doc" Dixon Psychic Buddies paper fortune teller routine, as love predictor ending up at "love at first sight"
 		1997
Everything Is Funnier with Monkeys
28
Steve "Banachek" Shaw Comedy - Club - Routine presentation for Key-R-Rect, with lots of gags, and apparently divining spectator's phone number
 		Feb. 1998
Mind & Magic Magazine (Vol. 1 No. 8)
1
Karl Fulves Guess Your Age (Part Two) spectator guesses age of person on photograph, calculator arrives at the right age with spectator's guesses, baby gag
 		1998
Calculator Tricks
26
Rudolf Braunmüller Gags im Zusammenhang mit Tricks Eröffnung, Daumenfesselung, Afghanbänder, Fischtrick, Geldfang aus der Luft & Münzen, Handguillotine, Handschellen, Karten, Mentalmagie, Persiltrick, Schallplatten, Schaumgummi-Backstein, Schwebekunststücke, Seile, Würfel, Zeitungen & Zeitschriften, Party & Restaurant
 		1999
Intermagic (Vol. 23 No. 2)
63
Philip T. Goldstein Automantic deck with message cards, two cards are selected and they predict an action
Variations 2000
Northeast
3
Philip T. Goldstein Automantic deck with message cards, two cards are selected and they predict an action
 		2000
Texas Notes
4
The Amazing Johnathan AJ Attempts To Read My Mind
Sep. 2000
Genii (Vol. 63 No. 9)
41
Philip T. Goldstein Automantic deck with message cards, two cards are selected and they predict an action
 		2000
San Francisco Notes
4
Cody S. Fisher Fifty-Two Thoughts four consecutive gag predictions (no, animal, bar code, fifty-two-on-one print) as paper is unfolded, print of all cards is torn up, one chosen and divined
 		2000
Fifty-Two Thoughts
1
Richard Mark The "Truth Or Consequences" Variation Quiz game similar to Trivial Pursuit, performer's question is really easy to answer, bank night framing
 		2000
Mind Warp
77
Danny Archer In a Pig's Eye comedy prediction of named animal with obvious verbal force of pig
 		June 2000
Channel One (Vol. 1 No. 4)
24
Philip T. Goldstein Just Chintz just chance with paper bags, five bags contain rubbish and one gold, selected by throwing a die
Also published here 2001
San Jose Notes
3
Eric Mead, Michael Weber Gone Fishing coin chosen from bunch of coins in a handkerchief, first comedy divination, then coin and date are divined
Related toAlso published here Apr. 2001
MAGIC (Vol. 10 No. 8)
72
Philip T. Goldstein Automantic deck with message cards, two cards are selected and they predict an action
 		2002
Flaunting Five Fanciful Formulae
6
David Berglas Would You Make a Reliable Witness? routine with Reality/Fantasy ambigram, Lubor Fiedler's Posi-Negative and stroop-effect, people read words and experience them differently then others
Related to 2002
The Mind & Magic of David Berglas
364
Michel Huot Baby Prediction baby gag with celebrity, name of celebrity is then shown on back
Also published here Dec. 2002
MAGIC (Vol. 12 No. 4)
90
Philip T. Goldstein Just Chintz just chance with paper bags, five bags contain rubbish and one gold, selected by throwing a die
 		2003
Saint Louis Notes
4
David Acer Get Bent! as magician tries to bend spoon, tie becomes bent - then spoon suddenly bends
Also published here Sep. 2003
Genii (Vol. 66 No. 9)
28
David Acer Get Bent As magician tries to bend spoon, tie becomes bent - then spoon suddenly bends
Also published here 2004
Random Acts of Magic
285
Chris Hannibal Lethal Weapon humorous prediction, No-Gag, no can be unfolded and forms name of famous person
Inspired by 2004
Semi-Automatic Card Tricks — Volume 5
215
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
Samuel Patrick Smith Jingle Bell Prediction baby gag variation
 		Dec. 2005
MAGIC (Vol. 15 No. 4)
101
Diamond Jim Tyler Ghost Writer "NO" gag with named number, number later appears on bill when it is heated with a lighter
 		Dec. 2007
Genii (Vol. 70 No. 12)
35
Philip T. Goldstein Infantastic clock trick meets baby gag
Related to
  • Phil Goldstein in "Magic Manuscript", Vol. 6, No. 2, 1984, p. 25.
 2008
Card College Lighter
81
Steve Skomp Camouflage 4x4 grid of face-down papers, pairs are exchanged by spectator, yet when collected and laid out again the baby gag image forms
Also published here Dec. 2008
MAGIC (Vol. 18 No. 4)
70
Ryan Pilling Fool (Proof) Prediction dictionary in bag to predict "any word"
Also published here
  • Half-Baked Magazine, No. 8, April 2002
 Sep. 2009
Genii (Vol. 72 No. 9)
17
David Corsaro Getting to Know You spectator's name appears on blank faced card in deck with name cards, with comedy predictions to begin
 		2010
Semi-Automatic Card Tricks — Volume 8
13
Ronnie Lee The Proof one of three silks chosen, predicted, with three gag predictions
Related to 2010
Prolix (Issue 7)
448
Marc DeSouza Baby Hugh-y prediction of celebrity, baby gag update
 		Sep. 2010
Genii (Vol. 73 No. 9)
22
Maurice Fogel, Nick Lewin Fogel's Invisible Piano comedy routine with an invisible piano and the gag prediction of a tune
 		2010
Miracles of my Friends II
69
Patrick Page A Prediction yes / no prediction, envelope
 		2011
Magic Page by Page
286
Patrick Page The Legend gag prediction, picture of celebrity in a frame
 		2011
Magic Page by Page
287
Robert Orben, Terry Herbert The Baby Gag classic baby gag
 		2011
Magic Page by Page
298
Mel Bennett Alliance "A Forceful Routine"
number prediction on clock, tie gag
 		2011
Xtra Credit (Issue 10)
69
Dee Christopher BPQS gag message appears on spoon after spoon bending
 		2012
The Blackpool Prediction
42
Max Maven Just Chintz just chance with paper bags, five bags contain rubbish and one gold, selected by throwing a die
Also published here 2012
Return to Saint Vincent
3
Michael Weber No. four spectators with number cards, after a selection procedure a number is added up to which is predicted, with No gag, matrix force
 		2012
[2012 Notes]
4
Robert Cassidy A Useful Gag with a glove, for billet reading routines
 		2013
The Artful Mentalism of Bob Cassidy — Volume 2: Fundamentals
162
Kevin Ho Ni__a Please thought projection gag
 		2014
Stupid Horrible Immature Tricks
24
Michael Murray ATM (Actual Thought Manipulation) divination of an emotion and apparently of spectator's PIN number
Inspired by
  • Haim Goldenberg's "Cryptext"
Related to
  • Michael Murray's "Your (Redundant) Number" in "Psychological Subtleties 3"
 2014
A Piece Of My Mind
38
Michael Murray Personal Identification Number apparently divining the PIN code of a spectator
Inspired by
  • "Subtle Telephone" in Banachek's "Psychologcial Subtleties 1"
 2014
A Piece Of My Mind
230
John Lovick Saint Jack cards with predictions, any selected one becomes true, clown nose sight gag finale
Inspired by 2016
The Performance Pieces & Divertissements of the Famous Handsome Jack, etc.
99
Alexander de Cova Comedy Card Prediction prediction unfolded with funny messages every time
Inspired by
  • "Comedy Card Prediction" (Cody Fisher)
 2018
Burners — Vol. 6
115
David Regal Not Hattie prediction gag
 		2019
Interpreting Magic
434
John Graham Buffalo John combination of Million Dollar Bill Mystery, Barcode Gag, Before Your Eyes prediction on dry-erase board, bill transformation in Himber wallet, Hat Tear, $100 bill switch
Inspired byRelated to 2021
Stage by Stage
153
Nathan Kranzo Tips On The Classic "No" Gag
2021
Kranzilla Unleashed
69
Nathan Kranzo Lotto Mind Reading Opener Joke prediction for lottery ticket
 		2021
Kranzilla Unleashed
85
Nathan Kranzo Handful of Balls Gag Gag to use lots of ping pong balls to choose "random" spectator
 		2021
Kranzilla Unleashed
89
Nathan Kranzo Frisbee Gag Gag for using frisbee to choose spectator
 		2021
Kranzilla Unleashed
105
Fränz Prodigy Prediction one chosen word from stack of business cards is divined and name of animal written on business card by second spectator, with comedy animal drawing prediction, name of chosen animal written on back
 		2022
Prodigy Peek
41
Michel Huot Baby Prediction baby gag with celebrity, name of celebrity is then shown on back
Also published here 2022
Talk About Tricks (Issue 1)
142
Steve Skomp Camouflage 4x4 grid of face-down papers, pairs are exchanged by spectator, yet when collected and laid out again the baby gag image forms
Also published here 2022
Talk About Tricks (Issue 2)
809
Ricky Smith Egg Bag Routine any named object appears in bag in form of an egg, baby gag presentation
Also published here 2023
I Spilled the Coffee
11
John Graham Free Choice comedy prediction effect for magicians
 		2023
Magic Between Friends
57
Isaac Jurado Casting baby gag handling, using cards with names and clapperboard, with Confabulation handling variation
Inspired by 2023
Sui — Géneris
167
Tyler Wilson Ariel Bold paper strip with movie titles is cut anywhere, the movie there is misunderstood as the combination of two titles, gag poster as prediction, can also be accomplished with Inertia Pro app (Marc Kerstein, 2017)
Inspired by
  • Albert Spackman's "Clip Line" ("Newspaper Test", The Gen Vol. 20 No. 6, Oct. 1964)
 2024
Tex Offender
57
Roberto Giobbi Business Card Handout III - No! No!-gag
 		2024
Unexpected Agenda (Issue Feb 13)
56