Mentalists use several effects in their performances, but mind-reading is probably the most popular one.
Watching a mentalist perform a mind-reading trick is fascinating — you can hardly tell what was done behind the scenes to achieve the effect.
But we can tell you.
More than the actual trick, there are several techniques you can use to guess what someone is thinking. Whether it’s a name, a word, or a number, the logic behind it is the same.
After we share some tips on how to guess what someone is thinking, we’ll share an easy mentalism trick you can do.
Are you ready? Let’s begin!
How to Guess What Someone is Thinking: Where It Begins
As a mentalist, when does your performance begin? You may think it’s when you make your first move, but in truth, your trick starts even before your spectator joins you on stage.
Although you can’t guarantee the outcome of every single act, you can stack the odds in your favor. Here are several techniques you can use to make sure you can leave a lasting impression on your audience.
Select a suitable spectator
Your spectator can make or break your performance.
When you perform a trick, it’s not just about you — it’s about your spectator. So your performance begins when you’re figuring out who to call upon the stage or who to pick walking in the streets.
Having the appropriate type of person can make your performance less stressful. Pick someone too eager and they may start pre-empting your instructions and go off on their own. On the other hand, pick someone skeptical and you may put yourself in a difficult position later on.
The ideal spectator is someone who doesn’t look away or stare blankly at you while you’re talking to them. You’d want someone willing to participate but not steal the spotlight.
Create a safe environment
Just because you’re meeting your spectator for the first time when you perform doesn’t mean you can’t create a bond. Making your spectator feel comfortable brings many advantages to your act.
Don’t just jump into your trick as soon as your spectator gets on stage. Spend some time to get to know them. Ask about their interests and genuinely listen to their responses.
You can also use a technique called mirroring to put your spectator at ease. It means adjusting the way you respond and patterning it to how they speak to you.
If you’re unable to consider this, it may become a challenge as you proceed with your trick. For example, if your spectator is more on the quiet side, being too loud may cause them to become more uncomfortable and withdraw into themselves.
When your spectator feels connected to you, they’ll begin to relax. It causes them to open up more. You’d be surprised by the amount of information you can pick up from small talk.
Besides, you never know — it might be something you can use for your reveal.
Be aware of stats and trends
Mentalism uses, in large part, a lot of psychology. Observe the way your spectator dresses, speaks, and moves. You may not know who your spectator will be, but it’s helpful to know the general preferences of specific demographics.
It’s also beneficial if you know how people statistically respond to some questions. Here are some examples:
- When you ask someone to think of a color within three seconds, red will be the probable answer.
- If you have them choose a color and give them three or four seconds to think it over, they’ll go with blue. It’s not because they didn’t think of red — they did, but they typically change their mind, thinking it was the obvious choice.
- If offered four choices, 92% of the time, people will choose the third object.
To make a long story short, do your homework.
How to Guess What Someone is Thinking: How It Happens
One technique that helps you guess what your spectator is thinking is establishing a baseline of their responses and then spot outlying reactions.
Try these easy mentalist tricks.
The Countdown
After a bit of small talk, tell your spectator that to think of a number between 1 and 10.
Go through the entire array, each time asking, “Is it the number x?”
Now when you ask if it’s the number eight, she hesitates for a moment before saying no. Or maybe she’s been looking at you comfortably, and then suddenly she averts her gaze.
That’s a tell. It’s a signal that the “no” wasn’t a natural response — in other words, it was a lie.
You can then tell her that she was thinking of the number eight.
The Red Hammer Trick
One of the easiest tricks that involve guessing what someone’s thinking of is the Red Hammer trick. It requires no preparation, which makes for a handy performance.
Write a “Red Hammer” (or better yet, draw one) on a piece of paper, put it in an envelope, and seal it. Leave it on top of the table even before you start your performance.
Bring your spectator on stage and start a conversation to put her at ease. Now tell her that you’re going to ask her a series of simple questions, and all she needs to do is answer it to the best of her abilities.
Keep your questions simple — something your spectator can answer almost instantaneously. Here are some examples:
- What date is Valentine’s Day?
- What number is between 4 and 6?
- What side of the road do we drive?
- What are hamburger patties made of?
Immediately after her last response, tell her to think of a color and a tool.
80% of the time, people will answer the red hammer. You can pick up the envelope, hand it to your spectator, and say you sense it’s what she chose.
Before she opens it, you can ask her to share her response. When she opens the envelope, she’ll see the image of a red hammer on it.
It’s like you read her mind!
This is because of probability. When people are pressured to answer quickly, they think of the most common answers.
In this case:
Color = red
Tool = hammer
Seal the Deal with Drama: The Importance of Delivery
When you’re trying to guess someone’s thoughts, it’s typically a let-down if you blurt out the answer. A little bit of theatrics goes a long way.
If you’re supposed to be concentrating, trying to sense her thoughts, don’t rush through the last part of your trick. Build a little tension, tease the ending before doing the actual reveal.
The Wrap Up
Guessing what someone is thinking takes a combination of steps, techniques, and knowledge in psychology.
Don’t get overwhelmed, though — not all tricks need to be complex. Both tricks mentioned here are simple.
Arm yourself with knowledge and deliver it with a certain amount of flair. It can make even the easiest trick look amazing.
So what are you waiting for? Practice these and amaze your audience!