32 Self-Working Mental Magic

To present the trick, open the box about halfway, Figure 18, and dump
out the loose matches. Do not reveal the two matches still wedged
between the tray and the lid.
Of the matches on the table, tell the spectator to take some in his left
hand and an equal number in his right hand. Look away while he does
this so it is clear that you don’t know how many matches he has in either
hand.
When he has placed an equal number of matches in each hand, take
four matches of those remaining on the table. Put them into the tray.
You do not know the number of matches the spectator holds in each
hand, nor do you have to. Ask him to transfer three matches from his left
hand to his right hand. When he has done this, have him transfer one
match from his right hand to his left hand.
Now ask him to put all of the matches from his left hand into the tray.
Then tell him to count the number of matches in his right hand. The
number may be eight. Tell him to count the number of matches in the
matchbox and he will discover that the matchbox holds exactly the same
number – eight matches.
You now repeat the trick and add a new magical element. Dump all the
matches out of the tray and have the spectator add all the matches from
his right hand to those on the table. Now you start again. Tell him to take
some matches in his left hand and an equal number into his right hand.
Look away while he does this.
When he has an equal number of matches in each hand, ask him to
transfer three matches from his left hand to his right hand.
This done, pretend to concentrate. Ask a question that will distract the
spectator’s attention, for example, “Are you left-handed or right-
handed?” This question means nothing but it will bother the spectator
because he’ll try to relate it to the trick. Whatever his answer, pretend to
mull it over, then say

Mind over Matter 33

“Transfer two matches from your right hand to your left hand.”
Finally, tell him to place the matches from his left hand into the tray of
the matchbox. Now turn around and close the matchbox. This will
secretly add the two concealed matches to those the spectator placed into
the matchbox. In other words, the two hidden matches will dislodge and
fall into the tray to join the matches already there.
Ask him to count the number of matches in his hand. Both he and you
know that he put fewer matches into the matchbox. Pretend to
concentrate, explain that you will try to cause the matches inside the
matchbox to multiply, then pick up the box and rattle it a bit.
Have the spectator open the matchbox and verify that the number of
matches inside the box mysteriously increased so that now they equal the
number of matches in his hand.

22. KATCH KOIN

Some of the best mental effects are done under seemingly impromptu
conditions. The following trick is a bit of business that can be used when
you are working for a single spectator and want to astound him with a
curious feat of apparent psi-power.
Ask him to remove the change from his pocket and hold it in his
outstretched left hand. You then grip his left wrist with your right hand.
From your left pocket you remove an odd-looking coin. Hold it
between the left thumb and forefinger. Tell the spectator to firmly grasp
your left wrist with his right hand. The situation is shown in Figure 19.

Figure 19

Tell him you’re going to test his reflexes. You intend to drop the odd
coin into his left hand. When he hears the coin hit the