How to be a Mentalist III: Professional Mentalism with Playing Cards

By Ian McCoy

This fourth outing on the art of Mentalism is completely devoted to the use of the Devil’s playthings – the wonderful pasteboards – or as we commonly call them, playing cards.
A mentalist is a magician of the mind. And like a good magician he/she creates a sense of wonder, amazement and awe in an audience. But whereas a magician appears to do the impossible – the mentalist does the very unlikely – the extremely unlikely. For this reason mentalism appears more real than traditional magic. People believe there is more than mere trickery going on. They go away seeing your performance as something no one could do by “magic tricks”.

Like in my previous publications, I also offer here something rather unique and of supreme value to the student. Every routine has a video link to both performance to live audiences and explanations. There are also links to teaching the various “sleight of hand” techniques necessary for the execution of these powerhouse routines. In effect the student is getting a DVD as well as written explanation.
Also like previous publications – this is high class professional material – most of it original with the author who has been performing for over 20 years professionally on both sides of the Atlantic – and has been involved in the art of magic and mentalism for 40 years since he was a child.This is world class material for the serious student.
At the end of the day however, magic and mentalism is not about moves and technique, it is about entering into a relationship with a person or people whereby you can lead them to experience magic – that childlike sense of astonishment and wonder where time stops. Tricks are only the tools of the trade. Astonishment and wonder however are very real.
It is a great responsibility offering people a taste of Nirvana. It is also a great privilege.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ian McCoy
• Release date: Jan 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310043147

Ian McCoy

Ian McCoy (www.ianmccoy.com) is a master magician and mentalist, a motivational speaker and teacher, a published author, a musician, singer/songwriter and a writer/journalist.For over a decade he was one of California's top magical acts and performed all around the world for blue chip companies, Hollywood celebrities, a cruise line, Las Vegas hotels and thousands of private individuals. . He also set up magic classes and camps teaching children of all ages throughout the Bay Area of San Francisco. He relocated back to the UK seven years ago and has performed around Britain and on TV.Ian is also a credentialed high school and junior college teacher in both the UK and USA. He has degrees in history and politics and post graduate degrees in education and theology. He is the published author of the book Magic in the Center : God Consciousness and You a work in Philosophy that examines the concept of the Soul. He has also developed an online environmental news and information service with his brother and sister called just4theplanet . Ian is lead writer.Ian's keynote speech Magical Values is a call for people to be their best. It is truly inspirational and incorporates entertaining magic and mentalism to illustrate some perennial wisdom and motivate his audience.In his Kindle books on the art of Mentalism and Mindreading, How to be a Mentalist , How to be a Mentalist II, How to be a Mentalist: Time Flies and In Mind, Ian takes his 35 years study and experience to teach this fascinating art. Every technique and performance has a video link. So as well as reading, the student gets to see both performances and live explanations.His related book Memory teaches incredible techniques to develop your mind to it's full potential.Ian has also published two books on the art of card magic under the title McCoy's Miracle's: World Class Card Magic and one book on mentalism with cards: McCoy's Miracles: World Class Mentaism with Playing Cards. As with his other work - they all have video links to performance and explanation.Ian's book Angels: An insight into their Existence, taps his academic insights from theology, science, philosophy and history. It is a fascinating study.Ian has two publications on the person of Jesus Christ.The Historical Reality of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ examines just that and argues that historians while agreeing with the historicity of Christ's life and death - have been blinded from the historical truth of the Resurrection by a philosophical stance that can not be justified. His other work Jesus Christ: Magic Man? examines the ministry of Jesus through his miracles.In his book the Atheism Myth Ian gives a robust defence of Theism - as a response to the militant atheists led by Richard Dawkins.Ian's largest and most ambitious project The True Magic: God, Mind, Consciousness and You is an all embracing piece drawing on all disciplines in defence of Theism.

Book preview

How to be a Mentalist III

Professional Mentalism with Playing Cards

Ian McCoy

Copyright 2015 Ian McCoy

Smashwords Edition

Table of Contents

Introduction

Two Thoughts Two Cards (version 1 and 2)

Two spectators are asked to think of cards – in two different ways. The first is to get a visual image of a card as the mentalist flicks through the playing cards. The second spectator is to get a mental image of a card merely in their head. The mentalist is able to determine what cards are being thought of.

Two Thoughts Two Cards (version 3)

The two cards are thought of in the same way. This time however the mentalist is very close with one card and spot on with the other. However – the card which is very close – magically changes to the correct card.

The Amazing Double Coincidence

Using two decks the Mentalist asks two spectators to choose a card each from one deck while the mentalist chooses two cards from another deck. Incredibly the mentalists two cards match those of both spectators.

Power of the Mind

After a spectator thinks of a card the mentalist shows the power of the mind by naming a card – then spelling one card for each letter. It is surprising that the card appears on the last letter. It becomes astounding when the spectator spells the name of his thought of card and that also turns up on the last letter.

Cards on Stage

Four volunteers stand behind the mentalist and thoroughly mix a jumbo deck of cards. One spectator holds a prediction. A random card determines how many cards are dealt face down into one of the spectators hands. The spectator is asked to scan the cards and send his thoughts . One at a time the mentalist names all the cards until only one is left. The predictions is read out –it says that the last card will be the 9 of Spades. The last card is shown and is indeed the 9 of Spades.

From a Distance: The Incredible Telephone Trick

The mentalist is able to determine what card his friend is thinking of – while talking on the telephone.

Think a number

After the volunteer thinks of a playing card she is asked to deal through the shuffled deck and merely count out loud – one to fifty two. The mentalist is turned away and asks the volunteer to think of the number her card fell on. After a little thought the mentalist names the correct number.

A Month a Card and a Name

A mentalism extravaganza whereby the performer is able to determine a card thought of - the month a certain person was born on – and then the name of the special person thought of.

Introduction

This fourth outing on the art of Mentalism is completely devoted to the use of the Devil’s playthings – the wonderful pasteboards – or as we commonly call them, playing cards.

My series of books/video downloads McCoy’s Miracles are devoted entirely to playing cards. I will repeat here what I said there. – there is a misconception that people find card tricks boring. This is simply not true. People find bad magic – card tricks included - as boring. They find good magic very interesting. They love excellent magic – including excellent card magic and mentalism.

And this is what is offered here – excellent magic – or to be more precise excellent mentalism.

A good way to start any presentation of mentalism with playing cards is – as