Mind-Reading Card Tricks

I am an overgrown kid (37 years old) and I've always been tinkering with card tricks of one sort or another. Recently, I've become interested in doing them again for friends and family. I bought a few card trick books, and they all had some pretty good tricks, but this book has got a few that'll rattle some brains for your unsuspecting audience (be it one person or 100 people!) Mr. Mandelberg has included fourteen tricks (or "demonstrations" as I like to call them. When you say a card "trick" it automatically puts the audience on guard. They'll be watching you twice as closely) in this book, and they are all very well explained and easy to follow. I also love his writing style, often making me laugh out loud, as Mr. Mandelberg is also a gifted comedian. He gives performance tips and hints that help spice up the tricks, and before long you can absolutely stun an audience as if you hit them with a taser gun! I of course will not give any secrets away (buy the book!), but following are some of my favorite tricks from the book: 1. Behind the Back: A very simple trick that will amaze whoever sees it. Like Mr. Mandelberg suggests, you can also let someone in on the solution and play it up very funny. 2. Under the Table: Again, very simple, and done with an ordinary deck with no setup. It will amaze those who witness your "mental power" (except you, who will be amazed at how easy it is to trick them! ::devious grin::) 3. Seven Up: With a little acting, this trick is very simple and has a good effect. 4. How Did I Do That? This trick is really so simple it's laughable, but your audience will never figure it out, and the effect is astonishing! Mr. Mandelberg also has a fabulous suggestion for the banter on this trick. He has put a lot of thought into it, and if you carry it out right, the audience will end up believing that they themselves must be psychic! 5. Switcheroo!: Takes a little more practice than some others, but the payoff is worth the practice! 6. What's Your Number? Mr. Mandelberg says that this trick alone is worth more than the price of the book. After watching the results, I can say it's worth five times the price of the book! (I'm sure if you mailed Mr. Mandelberg the other four times the purchase price, he'd really thank you! Plus, maybe he'd let me have a cut?) In magic shops, I've paid up to $30 for card tricks that aren't near as effective as this one trick you can do with an ordinary deck! I've performed this trick among the most cynical, card-trick hatingest people, and after they see it, they just shake their head in utter bewilderment. I seriously wish I had a camera to record the priceless looks on the faces of those I pull this one on! And, with just the right banter, even the most skeptical will have to agree that they've witnessed something miraculous! 7. Neighborhood ESP: I haven't had the opportunity to perform this one yet, but I relish the day I do! Like the "What's Your Number" tri