Can You Use Playing Cards In Mind Reading & Mentalism Tricks?

Can You Use Playing Cards In Mind Reading & Mentalism Tricks

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There's a question on the minds of mind readers and mentalists worldwide. Should you use playing cards in your effects? The debate has raged for many years and it splits into 2 groups. One says you should, one says you shouldn't.

The group that say you should not, claim that it gives the impression that you are just a magician doing normal magic card tricks. This is a fair point as if someone comes up to you and a group of friends with a deck of cards in hand and says, "Hey, you guys wanna see some card tricks?" you can usually hear a groan among the crowd. Yes, some people enjoy normal card tricks but that isn't the point in this case. They think that people will label you as a magician if you use cards and not take you seriously enough.

The group that says you should say that it depends on the presentation and the actual trick you perform. They say that as long as you explain the use of playing cards in your mind reading effects then it's ok. They say that bringing cards into the occasion doesn't have to be a negative thing and if performed well, you can still hit hard with your mentalism tricks.

The two groups that disagree both contain famous mind readers and mentalists whose views you should at least respect. I know of many mentalists who started by using playing cards but over the years decided against them and I know mentalists who did the opposite and started using them at a later date.

My personal view is that it's OK as long as you do explain the need of them. I usually say that it's a method to connect with people because everyone has seen playing cards before and know what they are. That being said the strongest mind reading tricks I do don't usually include the use of playing cards but then again, some very, very strong tricks do.

I think it's important not to just thrust a pack of cards in peoples faces. I'll usually warm them up with a few tests or effects without cards before they even see a pack of cards. I also could do a private show for about 2 hours without the use of one playing card and I have done this before.

At the end of the day it's completely up to you as long as you respect your craft and make sure you don't mix regular card tricks with your mentalism card tricks as this is sure to water them down and give the impression you are just a magician doing 'card tricks'.

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