Detailed Text Tutorials for Various Practical Magic Tricks
| I. A Coincidence of Two Numbers: A piece of paper and a pencil are placed on the table. The performer walks to the table, turns their pocket inside out to show the audience that it's empty, then turns it back inside. The performer picks up the pencil and writes a number on the paper (without letting the audience see it), then puts the paper in their pocket. The performer says to the audience, "Now, say any number. I've already predicted it and written it on this piece of paper. Okay, now think of any number and say it." After the audience says a number, the performer takes the paper out of their pocket and shows the audience the number written on it—it is indeed the number the audience said. How is this possible? Can the performer really predict the future? Specific steps: The performer places a pencil lead about 1 cm long on a corner of the table beforehand (because it's small, the audience won't notice). Of course, you can hide the pencil lead elsewhere if you prefer. When the performer picks up the pencil to write a number on the paper, they pretend to write, but actually don't write anything. After "writing," they put the paper in their pocket. When the audience member calls out a number, the performer secretly picks up a pencil lead from the table. Then, reaching into their pocket, they quickly write the number called out by the audience member on a slip of paper with the pencil lead (to make it easier to write, the audience member can be limited to numbers between 0 and 9). The performer then pulls the slip of paper out for the audience to see (the performer can discard the pencil lead while the audience is looking at the paper). The audience will definitely find it incredible. That's a very exciting little magic trick! II. Turning Banknotes into Blank Paper Preparation: 10 banknotes, about 10 sheets of blank paper. Performance Method: The performer places a strip of blank paper between the 9th and 10th banknotes beforehand. At the start of the performance, the performer unfolds the 10 banknotes into a fan shape and holds it in their hand. Then, they pull out a few banknotes from the fan shape, showing both sides, and use this opportunity to move the 10 banknotes to the bottom, where a stack of blank paper is placed. Next, they straighten the stack of banknotes, strike it with their right fist, and then unfold the fan shape again. Strangely! The original stack of banknotes has all turned into blank paper. Then, the performer pretends to pull out a few pieces of paper to explain, thus covering the banknotes with these papers, making it appear as if the banknotes have all turned into blank paper. Note: The banknotes and blank paper used in the performance must be new and crisp. Third, the performer pours water into a funnel made of rolled-up newspaper. This is already surprising enough—how can newspaper hold water? But he still carefully folds the bottom of the newspaper funnel to prevent water from spilling out; while the audience waits to see if the water will flow out from under the newspaper. Unexpectedly, the performer suddenly throws the newspaper into the air, holds it down, and unfolds it—not a drop of water remains; the newspaper is completely dry. Then, the performer rolls up the newspaper again and pours water from inside into a glass. As props, two ordinary everyday items are needed: a large glass with a handle and a newspaper. An additional auxiliary prop is needed—a transparent plastic container with a diameter of 3-4 cm and a height of 15 cm, with a handle on top. During the performance, the glass is placed on a table, and the plastic container hangs behind the glass (from the audience's perspective). Now roll the newspaper into a funnel shape. Pick up the glass with your right hand, and with your left hand holding the funnel-shaped newspaper, lift the glass from bottom to top behind it. The plastic container behind the glass will then be hooked into the newspaper. The water in the glass can then be poured into the plastic container inside the funnel-shaped newspaper (be careful not to wet the newspaper). When most of the water has been poured out, lift the newspaper from bottom to top again, letting the glass hook the transparent plastic container away, and then put the glass down. To enhance the performance, the performer deliberately pretends to be very careful holding the newspaper, as if to prevent the water from spilling out, but suddenly throws the newspaper into the air, or even throws it into the audience. Then roll the newspaper back into a funnel shape and pour the water from the newspaper back into the glass—first put the plastic container hanging on the glass into the funnel-shaped newspaper, then pour the water from the plastic container into the glass, and then hook the empty plastic container away in the same way. Put the glass down and then unfold the newspaper for the audience. IV. Jumping Matches If you happen to meet a group of friends, you can tell them that you have just discovered a wonderful method for detecting pulse. So, you take two ordinary wooden matches from your pocket, place one on your left palm, and explain that it can be used as a pulse counter. Then, you place the second match under the first, making it the pulse generator for the entire demonstration. When your friends carefully observe the counter, they will naturally notice that it is jumping up and down rhythmically, as if recording your heartbeats. Suddenly, your heartbeat loses its normal rhythm, and finally, with an almost melodious movement, it stops beating. Next, you hand the matches to your friends, asking them to examine them carefully, and then ask them to try it out. Obviously, despite their best efforts, determined to "show off" like you, they can only watch helplessly as the two matches lie quietly "sleeping" in their palms. Secret Technique and Preparation: When performing this act, it's best to use large wooden matches. Because the requirements for props are not high, you can borrow such matches anytime, anywhere. Actually, the real secret to performing this act lies in the hidden mechanism of that match—the pulse generator. Performance Method: 1. As shown in the picture, hold the first match in your left hand as a pulse counter. Adjust the position of the match so that it is firmly against the base of your fingers, with its head facing you. 2. Hold the second match, the pulse generator, with your right thumb and forefinger. At the same time, firmly press the back of the match with your middle fingernail. As shown in Figure 2. 3. If you apply slight pressure to the match with your middle fingernail, or let the match slide very slowly across your fingernail, then this match will inevitably produce a series of imperceptible pulses. 4. Place the generator match under the counter match, as shown in the picture. Following the method described in step 3, gently rub the matchstick with the fingernail of your right middle finger. This will cause the matchstick in your right hand to continuously vibrate in a series of movements. Comments and suggestions: Although this is just a small impromptu magic trick, if performed correctly, it can still be very captivating. When performing this trick, it's best to use large wooden matches, as they offer better visual appeal and make the performance easier. Please remember that unless you rub the matchstick with your middle fingernail, the matchstick acting as the counter will not move at all. Another topic you can mention during the performance is that you have learned how to use magic to make matches magnetic. Rub the first match (pulse generator) on your sleeve or tablecloth a few times, and you can be absolutely certain that when you bring the first match close to the second match (counter), the latter will begin to vibrate slightly, as if some mysterious force is constantly propelling it! |