Power of Concentrated Thought

In Effect. A spectator is requested to think of a card. Performer now lays deck on the table and requests another spectator to think of a number. Both spectators are now requested to whisper the name and number to each other, and mentally command the card thought of to take its position in the deck at the number thought of. The performer, who has not been near the deck in the interim, now requests the name and number, and permits a spectator to take the deck in hand and ascertain for the company that the silent injunction has been obeyed.

Execution. When requesting the first spectator to think of a card, employ one of the several methods given for “Determining the Card Thought Of,” Bring this card to the top. Secretly count seven cards at bottom and shift to top. Lay deck on the table, and request second spectator to “think of a number between one and ten.” The trick is based on the very- strong probability that he will think of seven. Now babble nonsense about the power of concentrated thought upon even inanimate objects, requesting parties to whisper name and number and mentally urge the required action. Now request name and number. If the number is seven, tell him to count off the number thought of, and turn the next card. If the number is eight, tell him to turn the card at the number thought of. However, should the number be more or less than either, the performer must pick up the deck himself, and when handing it to the spectator shift one from the bottom if the number is nine, or the requisite number from the top if less than seven. But the chances are ten to one that seven will be the number thought of.