Switching the bill is another method that is open to your disposal.
It has certain pros and cons, I am going to outline several different variants for you to look at and you can decide which you would prefer to utilise.
Nest of envelopes – This is very Annemann in thinking but so simple. It requires a small amount of preparation. The inspiration for this was my “peek-a-boo” routine outlined in “Dare to be BOLD”.
Remember the serial number on a bill (make a note of it and don’t forget it).
Place this bill into a pay envelope (money envelope) then place that envelope inside a letter envelope. Then quickly sign the flap – This needs to be a couple of loops – try to make the signature as general as possible.
We are now going to take a larger envelope and create a ‘two way out envelope’.
This is very simple you will need, 2 x larger envelopes
Glue Scissors Instructions
Carefully cut the address the side of the envelope of off one of the
envelopes, when you have cut it off you should have what looks like a square (or rectangle dependant on the envelope) take the glue stick and run it on the bottom edge of the square (or rectangle) slide this cut out (glue side going in first) inside the un touched larger envelope and you will create a partition.
If you rub the bottom of the envelope the glue will stick inside the envelope holding the flap in place.
You now have one envelope with two partitions.
Take your prepared envelopes (the ones containing the bill) and drop it into one of the portions and then when it is in there glue the top edge and seal that portion shut. When you hold the envelope open now for all intense and purpose it looks like an empty envelope. Place a small but visible X inside this portion near the top edge.
[This will ensure that you can always identify this portion of the envelope.
Little things like this are the beautiful moments as you are always safe guarding yourself so that you do not have to think when under pressure).
Keep this envelope off to the side.
At any point in your show, you simply ask someone if they have a bill (ensure you ask for one of the same denomination). Hand them a pay envelope duplicate to the one that they had earlier and ask them to seal their bill inside. Then hand them a letter envelope and let them seal that envelope inside there. Now hand them a pen (the same one you signed the seal with) ask them to put a signature on the seal of that envelope.
This is where you pick up you large envelope casually flash it, ask them to drop their envelope inside that envelope and you then seal it at fingertips everything must seem fair and then hand them the envelope and ask them to take a seat and that you will call them later to attempt a demonstration.
After a few effects have gone by you now call the person to come to the stage and hand you the envelope. Rip open the top of the envelope (ensuring it rips open the two portions).
Reach in the envelope at finger tips and draw out the prepared envelope.
Casually toss the large envelope behind you. Or place it off to the side.
This is the bold moment but it totally flies by - Casually flash the signature on the envelope and say “your signature”. Then rip open the bottom edge of the envelope and ask them to hold their hands out. You tip the pay envelope (money envelope) into their hands and then proceed to tear open the letter envelope to show it doubly empty.
Ask them to open the money envelope and then move into the serial divination from there. This is a very simple solution to performing a serial divination that will play out great in a stage context.
Switch technique #2
This routine was inspired by reading ‘Fool the guesser’ articles. I actually love this routine and I think it is going to go straight into my close up act.
The one ‘flaw’ in the routine I think is totally justifiable within the natural confines of the method. I hope you love this.
Effect
The performer proposes to play a few games of chance with the participant. He produces two envelopes and asks the participant if they have a bill. The
participant pulls out a bill, the participant is asked to take the bill out and fold the bill and then fold it again for good measure. The participant is asked to pass the bill under the table and hand it to the performer, this is
placed with the envelopes, placed inside one of the envelopes and the envelopes are mixed up and brought out.
The aim is to try and psychologically force the participant away from the envelope containing the money.
The performer successfully manages to make the participant choose the empty envelope. The other envelope is opened to show that it contains the bill.
The envelopes are taken back under the table, mixed again and the game is played for a second time… The performer again successfully manages to get the participant to choose the empty envelope.
The third game the performer suggests that the reason that the participant couldn’t locate the correct envelope because there is no risk… He suggests that they play for 50 pence, that way there is an amount of risk and something to gain.
The performer mixes the envelopes up this time and the participant successfully manages to find the envelope containing the bill.
The performer hands over his 50 pence and just before the participant places the bill and 50 pence away the performer stops him and says – “How about giving me a chance to win my 50p back?” the participant accepts the
performer’s proposal. If I can read you to guess the serial number on your bill then I get my 50p back? If I cannot successfully read you, I will match the amount of money you placed inside the envelope and you get to take that as your prize.
The participant looks at the serial number on his dollar bill and the
performer successfully manages to read the participant and guesses the numbers on the bill, winning his 50p back!
Breakdown
What I really like is the way that this routine wraps itself up. The mechanics of the routine are simple, the psychological aspects are the fun part. The reason that this was inspired by “fool the guesser” carnival type games, is that even when the guesser lost in reality he won because it cost 2 pounds to play the game and the prize that you won was only worth 50 pence.
Even if they lost all day they would still win. I loved that type of idea, it directly inspired the last phase of this routine.
Take a bill, remember the serial number. I would suggest writing it down and committing it to memory before playing this game.
The setup is as thus, take a small letter envelope and place inside it the bill I would suggest using a ten pound note (or similar domination in any other
currency). Mark this envelope with a tiny pencil dot in the bottom corner of the reverse side of the envelope (the opposite side to the address side).
Put the envelopes in your pocket for later.
That is the only setup required.
First I will cover the mechanical phases and then talk about how to guide the participant away from the envelopes on the first couple of phases.
First ask a participant to remove a bill from their pocket, when they reach into their pocket to take out their wallet say “A ten is perfect for the size of the envelope”.
As you say “envelope” remove the envelopes from your pocket.
As they take the bill out ask them to fold it and then fold it again and pass you it under the table. When you take the bill under the table mime placing the bill into one of the envelopes and then mix them around. What you are secretly doing is placing the bill into your lap and keeping it here for later.
Bring the envelopes out, hold the address side of the envelope towards the participant saying, the bill is inside one of these envelopes. As you can see by looking at them there is no way that you can tell which.
As you are saying this secretly clock the marking so that you know which envelope the bill is inside.
(I will outline how to guide the participant later).
The participant will make a guess, it might be wrong or right. Let’s for example sake say that it went the way we had planned, they open the empty envelope and you open the top of the other envelope showing that there is a bill inside (they will be looking at your bill). It really doesn’t matter if the participant wins all of the games (as you will see after I have described the mechanics of the routine).
Place the envelopes back under the table, mix them up again and play a second game, again trying to lead the participant away from the envelope containing the note.
After this game, propose that you play for 50 pence (or cent) or a coin of a similar denomination. Take the envelopes back under the table and now slide the participant’s dollar bill inside the envelope that is empty and bring them back out.
Again hold them up for a few seconds address side towards the participant, clocking where your note is via the marking. Place the envelopes on the table and ask the participant where they feel the note is.
Of course either envelope they are going to win now but you really want them to pick the one that you have placed the note inside. I will outline how to get them to choose your envelope.
Let’s say that they do choose it, they now win the note and the 50 cent.
Why would the participant ever want to check the other envelope? It would make no logical sense now for them to want to because they have won.
Let them remove their bill from the envelope and quickly place the envelopes inside your pocket. Their bill is inside one of the envelopes going into your pocket so that you end clean.
Just as the participant is placing the bill away, this is where you proposition the participant to make your 50p back by reading the participant for the
serial number. This is where you will get your 50p back and finish victorious.
You could even say, “Based on the choices in the games that we have just played, I think now I know how to read you in order to guess the number on the bill”.
This is where you would move into the revelation.
It really doesn’t matter if the participant wins or loses the first couple of games. The reason being that when it comes to the third game and you are playing for money before you play for money you say.
Performer: “I am more confident now, the first couple of games have led me to know exactly how you think and I believe that if there is a small amount of pressure added to the guessing process it might lead me to know exactly how you think”.
The participant wins the third game and then you move into then saying – Performer: “I am going to be honest, it was never about the game. I needed you to believe that in order to be able to know how you think. Are you willing to give me a chance to prove this by winning my 50 pence back?
If I don’t manage to read you successfully, I will give you ten pound as a bonus prize”.
As you can see it really doesn’t matter if the participant wins or loses the games in the middle of the routine as it is all leading to the final reveal but it also has a fun and interesting feel to it. It reminds me of the kind of games I might have played as a child and that can never be a bad thing.
Here are a few psychological dodges to get the participant to go for the envelope that you want them to go for.
The first phase is really simple there are a few options –
Note the position of the envelope with the bill inside it. In this example we will say that it is on our left.
Place the envelopes on the table and simply say,
Performer: “which envelope do you want, the one on the left or the one on the right”.
Be careful not to make any hand movements at this point.
Note to reader*** I think you will find this equivoque-esque approach
interesting don’t skip this as you can use this type of thing for other areas or aspects of your mentalism.
End of note***
If the participant says left, simply say –
Performer: “Ok pick up the envelope on the left”.
Never specify by using the words yours or mine – Let them naturally assume.
This is the best case scenario for us. They will pick it up and the envelope will be empty.
I will cover what to do if they start to reach for the envelope on your left in a moment as this will be the same outcome as them choosing the envelope on the right.
If the participant asks (which will rarely happen), Participant: “My left or yours?”
Performer: “I am glad you asked, most people wouldn’t that tells me a lot about you”.
Move into this response –
Note to reader*** This is going to be the same script that you move into should the participant choose right or reach forward to pick up the envelope on your left.
Performer: “Stop for a second, I am going to be honest. I never specified your left or mine and this type of thing is important to take into account when you are playing a game of psychological warfare.
I am going to try and trick you and guide you away from the envelope that I feel contains the money. Then again think about it, I might just be saying all of this to guide you away from the envelope that you just chose… Or I could
be saying all of this to ensure that you stuck with the envelope that you have already chosen.
In fact”.
Note to reader*** place the envelopes back under table again pretend to switch them but don’t do anything and bring them back out and place them on the table.
Performer: “I might have switched them, I might not. Which envelope do you want now?”
This should force the participant to go for the opposite envelope. If it doesn’t, let them win and then quickly move into playing the second game.
Choice #2 (for game one)
If you place the envelope containing the money closer to the participant and tap the table saying which envelope do you want?
It will likely have the participant choosing the envelope that is furthest away from them as the one closest seems too obvious.
Choice #3 (for game one)
This one is fun, and totally flies by.
Performer: “We are going to make the exact opposite choice to what you would normally make in a situation like this so look at both of the envelopes and choose one”.
If they choose the one that contains the money simply say, “I did say we are going to go with the opposite of whatever you choose, pick up the other envelope and open it and see how you did”.
If however they choose the one that is empty simply say, “Great, you thought of one and genuinely changed your mind and ended up here”.
Pick it up and show them that the envelope is empty.
Round two
Mix the envelopes up and again clock the marking before you place the envelopes on the table. Write the word “No” on the envelope that doesn’t have the bill inside and the word “yes” on the envelope that does.
Look at the participant and say –
Performer: “Being honest, without guessing do you right now know which envelope the bill is inside?”
Participant: “No”.
Performer: “No you do not know which envelope it is inside or it is inside the envelope that says that word no upon it?”
Participant: “No I don’t know”.
Performer: “ok, well I will give you a clue. The bill is inside the envelope that says the word yes on it. I marked them to make it really obvious for you.
Which envelope do you want?”
This should guide the participant away from the envelope that says yes, why would you help the participant?
Again it really doesn’t make a difference because if the participant does
correctly guess the envelope simply show them that they were right. And say “I wanted to see what you would do in a situation where you had the opportunity to trust me. I think we are ready to take this to the next level”.
Take the 50 pence out of your pocket.
Performer: “I am willing to bet 50 pence on the next game. Are you willing to have a bit of fun and play for 50p?”
When the participant accepts the bet. Address the participant,
Seen as though the envelopes are marked and you know which envelope it is inside. I am going to take it out of that envelope and place it back inside the same envelope or change envelopes. Look away for a second. This completely gives you a justification now to place the participant’s bill inside the other envelope without any suspicion as you have openly said that you will be opening and tampering with the envelopes.
This is where you would play the final round as described earlier. The last game I would suggest using one of the techniques that you didn’t use in the first round to force the correct envelope. When the participant wins at the end they will never assume that it was a force of any kind as they win so why would they?
I really think that is a charming little routine and it is harmless playing for 50p the thing I really love is that no one ever really loses any money and it cleans itself up as the envelopes go back into the pocket containing the bill and there is nothing to try and hide as it is hidden in plain sight.