Hypnotism is a must-have skill for modern mentalists. Understanding it not only brings advantages for stage hypnotism — when using it during a specific trick — but it’s something used throughout a mentalism show.
As with all hypnosis tricks, the movements done during the act are designed to focus the spectator’s attention to where the mentalist wants, increasing their level of suggestibility, and eventually leading them to believe a reality that may not be true.
If you’re interested in doing hypnosis tricks, we’re going to discuss 2 mentalism hypnosis tricks you should know.
We’ve broken the steps down into their details, making it easier for you to follow.
Ready? Let’s start!
Mentalism Hypnosis Trick 1: The Card in the Card Case
Although this is a card trick, The Card in the Card Case trick involves a bit of psychology and uses misdirection. Don’t be fooled — It’s not a magic trick. It’s an example of hypnosis.
This trick doesn’t require a high level of skill, but it’s best if you practice it until you perfect it.
1. The Set-Up
You’ll need a double back card (you can mark this card with an X). When preparing for this trick, make sure it’s at the top of the deck.
When you begin your trick, open the deck of the card’s case and use your thumb to hold down the double-back card. It creates a break and allows you to slide the rest out of the box and put them on the table.
You have to make sure the card’s case flaps are open and, without calling any additional attention to it, set it to one side. We’ll forget about it for now.
It’s best to put in a couple of other card tricks here — whether you want to do something that involves a mind-reading effect or uses sleight of hand, it’s your call. What’s important is you’ve already done your setup.
2. The Performance
When you’re ready to perform the Card in the Card Case trick, start by asking your spectator to name a card. Ideally, the card they call is somewhere in the center.
If, while you casually spread the cards, you find it’s near the beginning or at the end, all you need to do is to cut the deck. This allows you to place the named card somewhere in the middle of the deck.
Spread the cards again — this time, making a show of looking for the card they called (let’s say it was the 8 of Diamonds) — with the back of the cards facing your spectator. When you spot it, bring the cards down, momentarily show them to your spectator. It will be the moment when you cull the card and move it to the end of the deck.
You can do this by using your thumb to hold the card above the 8 of Diamonds. It allows your other hand to grip the named card and, as you continue to spread the deck, the rest of it goes into that space between the 8 of Diamonds and the cards above it. It ultimately places the named card at the bottom.
Go through the cards again, this time a bit slower. Now you can’t seem to find the card your spectator named (but you just saw it a second ago!). As you do this, make sure you hold the bottom two cards together so when you get to the end of the deck, the spectator only sees the second to the last card.
The second spreading of the cards is not necessary, but it does set up your trick nicely. It convinces your spectator that the card they named had suddenly disappeared from the deck.
Move on to the next step — suddenly recall something that happened earlier that day or yesterday (you can typically use any time in the past). Draw attention to the card case and look! There’s one card left in the case (this is the double back card).
Shake the card case to make the card slide to the top of the deck in your hand (this is why making sure the flaps were open was a crucial step). As soon as the card slides out, pocket the card case. To show that the card with the X was what the spectator called, do a double lift.
When you turn the card over, don’t put it near your spectator — he might reach for it and find the double back card underneath. Place it somewhere nearer you to be sure. The double back card is now the card on top of the deck.
All that’s left is for you to clean your deck. It means that even if your spectator wants to check out the rest of the cards, he won’t find anything out of the ordinary.
One way to do this is to put your deck in your pocket (if you have enough room) and finish your trick. Emphasize that it was a hypnosis trick. If they want to check out the deck, pull the deck from your pocket, making sure to leave the double back card inside.
Your spectator can go through the cards one by one, but all he’ll find is a clean deck.
Mentalism Hypnosis Trick 2: The Messiah Vanish
Let’s move on to the other mentalism hypnosis trick. This is the Messiah Vanish trick.
1. The Set-Up
This hypnosis trick involves several things — a coin, a watch, and lots and lots of practice.
2. The Performance
Begin the trick by holding the coin in your hand that doesn’t have the wristwatch (yes, you’re supposed to be wearing it — let’s say it’s your right hand). Make a show of opening both your hands.
Hold the coin using your thumb, index, and middle finger, making a hole in the middle. Slide the thumb of your right hand through and use the rest of your fingers to cover the hand holding the coin.
Use your left thumb to guide the coin and balance it on your wristwatch. Make sure you’re angling your right wrist as you do this. It hides it from the spectator and helps keep it on your watch. If you do this trick on a hot day, it may be easier as the coin will stick to your skin.
Keep your right fist closed as you separate your hands. Point to your right hand using your left. It plants the message that you transferred the coin there. It’s best to use the pointer finger when you do this because it allows you to keep the remaining three fingers on your left hand closed.
Open your right hand, careful not to dislodge the coin from your wristwatch. It’s not there — So it must still be on your left hand!
But when you open your other hand — the coin’s not there either. It’s vanished!
The last leg of the trick is how to bring it back.
An uncomplicated way to do it is to use the moment the spectator looks up at you after realizing the coin isn’t in either hand. Tilt your right hand so that the coin slides into your left. Continue the movement so it’ll look like you’re making figure eights with your palms.
You can call attention to it by saying something like, “I can bring it back using hypnosis”. When your spectator looks closer at your hands, the coin’s already there, transferring from one palm to the other.
Wrapping It Up
Mentalism hypnosis tricks are very different from a mind-reading effect. Learning how to do these gives your performance variety, which is always a good thing.
Having several kinds of tricks in your arsenal tells your audience you’re not a one-trick pony, and that does wonders for your cred. Admittedly, doing hypnosis tricks in mentalism performances means you’ll also have to develop specific skills.
The more you get into mentalism hypnosis tricks, the more you’ll understand what kind of adjustments you’ll need to make. What’s important, though, is to start.
You’ve got two great tricks here — you know what’s next. Practice, practice, practice!