Using the “Spring Board” to obtain further digits of a pin number is
something Peter Turner first played with and subsequently decided only works well within the context of the spectator guessing the information. This stops the process from seeming as if you are simply asking questions to obtain the information but is perfect when performed in reverse as the questions are now asked with the frame of the spectator using their intuition and trusting their instincts, which ensures everything looks right and makes sense from a
theatrical point of view. I have shared my version of the reverse pin using the principle in this manuscript. I feel this is a new approach in terms of how you get into this type of effect via a transition of effect, half way though the performance. This will be taught later on.
I brought the idea to Fraser Parker and we had a discussion about this
principle’s applications. He started talking about using a whisper to give the participant a certain command based on the digit, for something else entirely.
It was then that it hit me. My idea was to reveal the first digit of their bank card by a whisper, but imply to the rest of the audience that you had revealed the first four digits!
Of course, the use of whispers to hide method is that of
Peter Turner and an aspect of his wonderful 'Bob Principle'. Pete has kindly shared some of his work on this within this manuscript as well as his exact use and up to date thinking on the ploy of revealing more information than you actually do, using the whisper as your cover!
Here is the beautiful part about this. By revealing the first digit as a whisper, it doesn’t give the audience the opportunity to look at their cards and discover that they are all the same digit. It also implies that you had guessed a lot more information, which also cancels out the idea that they are all the same first number! And since this is very private information, it makes sense in the context of a secret whisper. And most people will appreciate the manners!
Furthermore, in the event that someone does ask what you whispered to the participant, the participant will not be lying if they tell them you guessed the first number of their card. The audience may believe he meant the first 4 digits. That is a little ambiguity that may occur. We find this doesn't happen and is something we don't personally focus on.
Their reaction sells the fact you have done what you say you will do and that they are not 'in on it' or have been told to 'play along' during the whisper, in most cases. We feel this effect should be kept as simple as possible which is why we don't try to over prove any of this but instead let the effect and performance, speak for itself.
I am about to give you my full script for making this work, but before I do I want to say that this routine is worth the risk. Even if they happen to have a Master card, or even if the Dual Reality falls apart and they reveal to
everyone that you only guessed the first digit, it is worth it in my opinion. I am willing to take that risk to create a true miracle.
Aren’t you?
Script
The Performer looks to one of his spectators.
Performer: “Let me ask you something. Do you know the first four digits of your bank card without looking at it?”
Participant: “Yes.”
Performer: “I want you to focus on these digits for me. Imagine sending this information to me.”
If they respond with a “No” then simply have them take out their bank card and peek the first four digits of the long number on the front of the card, without letting you see. I would usually look away at this point and then instruct them to place it back in their wallet and put their wallet away.
The performer pauses for a moment.
Performer: “Since this is considered private information, I am going to reveal what I’m picking up on, by whispering it in your ear. I may not pick up on all of these digits.”
I use the line above so they understand before I even begin the whisper, that I may not get all four digits. You can choose to leave that out at your
discretion.
The performer leans in and whispers:
“In order to protect your privacy, I am not going to reveal all four digits.
However just to prove to you that I could if I wanted to, I am going to tell you that the first digit of your card is a four.”
Fraser’s Comments
Since this scripting was first shared and after both myself and Watkins refined and road tested the method in real world performances, we have decided it is better to go straight in and whisper the following direct statement,
“I feel the first digit is a four, correct?”
Lean back out for the spectator to confirm you are correct, instead of excusing the fact you won't get all four digits, during the whisper. This ensures the spectator reacts fully to you revealing the first digit, without their reaction becoming diluted by an expectancy for you to reveal the other three remaining digits. You therefore, get the proper reaction that is in line with the
perceived effect from the audience's perspective, of you guessing four digits instead of just one, which is then naturally tied up by the outward appearance of the performance itself and the add on line (spoken out loud to everyone):
Performer: “And that goes to show how I could guess the rest of the digits, if given enough time.”
Note: The whisper, delivered this way, also now takes just the right length of time to complete, so that it fits the perspective of a four digit revelation.
All of this should make logical sense to your participant. I like to add a moment of pause right before saying the word “four”. This pause can heighten the reaction, and the longer the pause the more it seems like you are
genuinely picking up on this number.
Presentation is key.
The performer leans out.
Performer: “And that goes to show how I could guess the rest of the digits, if given enough time.”
Participant: “Yes it does!”
This line is really cool because to the participant, you are referring to the rest of the four digits. And to the rest of the group it seems that you are talking about the rest of the sixteen digits on their card!
Everything is wrapped up beautifully. I personally don’t worry about whether they talk about it afterwards because I only use this within a close up set where I am revealing other numbers via a billet or whatever other methods I decide to use.
There is no need for other audience members to ask the participant later whether you truly got all four digits correct – IF you prove you can easily guess numbers in your set, using other methods. It will be taken for granted that you can do this by your audience.
I am very happy with this routine. I use it all the time. It really is a dream effect of mine and I hope you can see the merit in this as well!
Here is a small crib for the different pre-fixes found on the different types of Credit and Debit cards world-wide.
Issuer Prefix (Starting
no.)
Visa 4-
MasterCard 51-, 52-, 53-, 54-, 55-
Diners Club 36-, 38-
Discover 6011-, 65-
JCB 35-
American Express 34-, 37-
Note: These prefixes should all be the same for card types around the world.
However, you should do your own research was well as Google searches to be sure which numbers work with popular Banks and card types used within your own Country. You can look up banks in your area and find out the first four digits for their debit cards. For example Bank of America Visa cards in Manhattan all start with 4117. This allows for the cleanest reveal of four digits, without the need for any whispering.
If you don't wish to be as bold as me, by relying on the odds of the
participant likely thinking of the numbers on a Visa debit card and want to be sure you know the correct first digit of whatever bank card your
participant uses, you can simply ask them to take out their bank card and ensure they cover the first four digits of the long number on their card, with their thumb, as they take it out. This will leave the logo denoting their type of card, visible on the bottom right, enabling you to glimpse it using your peripheral vision and easily know what type of card you are dealing with, without making a big deal out of it!
Have them peek the information, as you look away and then direct them to put their card back in their wallet. Now you are in the perfect position to divine the first digit on their bank card, with complete certainty!
Another ruse, would be to simply ask who has a Debit card and let these more specific words do the work for you! To ensure they remove a Debit card, as opposed to one of the other Credit card options. Or if you choose you can ask for a Credit card, without naming a specific brand of card – of course!
Otherwise you would potentially tip the method!
I would like to make one final point – I have sometimes been confronted with spectators who are aware the numbers on Debit and Credit cards share
commonalities. I can usually tell when I ask them to think of one of the numbers on their card that this is the case and can then have them think of the last four digits on the card and use another method to obtain this
information. These numbers will always be perceived as entirely random and unique to the person who I am performing for.