Ian Rowland – The Cat Test

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The CAT Test is a fun idea for magicians and mentalists to enjoy using. It’s not really the sort of item where it makes sense to state the Effect and then reveal the Method, for reasons that will soon become clear. However, for those who insist, here’s the basic idea. Imagine an informal, impromptu setting. You’re hanging out at the coffee shop or in the bar with friends. An opportunity arises for you to demonstrate your amazing talents. A spectator looks through a regular deck of cards and merely thinks of one. There is no force or control. You are seated a short distance away and have nothing to do with this selection procedure (the spectator can even have the cards in her own hands). Once the spectator has memorised one card, and she has hidden the cards away, you turn to face her. You can read her mind in any way you like and identify the card. You never touch the cards or handle them in any way. If you really wanted to, you could do this without any cards being involved, although I think the version with actual cards in play is better. You genuinely look away while the spectator chooses and thinks of any card, and the cards are out of sight by the time you begin your demonstration. You can dress this up however you like. You know what the card is as soon as you start your performance so the rest is just up to you and your acting ability. You can play it very straight and serious, or just present it as a bit of a laugh. You can say it’s telepathy, ESP or clairvoyance, or just claim that you’re quite good at guessing. You can dream up literally any presentation you want. What’s more, over the next few years you will probably find yourself in all sorts of ‘impromptu’ situations where you can have fun with this idea. In some circumstances, you could even perform this effect over the phone or the internet