Hi everyone

I have been attempting the number 7 trick, which consists of asking the girl to choose a number between 1 and 10 and then telling her she chose the number 7. Pretty simple, but barely works if badly done.

I have been doing some field experiment with ways to improve the technique, and i found out that doing some priming on the target (i.e. telling her it is not chance, as the number 7 is often referred to as a lucky number, and then i follow up by telling her this works 97 % of the time, emphasizing a bit more on the 7, but in a very subtle way) . This is a basic and very simple technique used in psychology to somehow give some orientation to her mind.

But... as much as i would love to say it works all the time, it does NOT...

What i am really looking for in this post are :

1- Some recovery ideas if the trick should end up failing, prob with a good neg
2- What do you think of my priming idea?

Thanks

There are a few ways you could improve this to work almost all the time. Here's a video that is similar, but i will explain the techniques Derren Brown is using.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAFPa6roWmg[/youtube]

Firstly, notice the use of a 'soft point' as he calls it at 1:07. He skips over two, and in doing that the participant subconsciously puts emphasis on that number, without any conscious resistance or feeling of manipulation. Also, as he draws the clock and says 'pick a number,' He keeps gesturing and slicing his hand at the point where 2 would be. Then when it comes to the minute part, he puts an arm facing straight up like the arm of the clock, telling his subconscious that it's exactly 2. The same goes for the second person.

To apply this to your trick, you could utilize some of these techniques. First of all you could say something like "you know, could be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, whatever. Any number between one and ten." Also, draw the number line in the air. With your right hand place it just to the right of your body as you say 'between ONE' and place your left hand just to the left of your body as you say 'and TEN.' Palms facing eachother, hands a couple feet apart.

Be doing this quickly so the person can not decide the number before you complete your suggestions. Be talking fast, without pause. Right after you have fully introduced the test, quickly say in a loud way "OK, choose." When doing this, snap your finger along the space between 1 and 10 you've created where 7 ought to be.

Doing this should help you out a lot.

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There are no failures, only feedback.

Thanks, cool tips. I'll try that.

You can always do Mystery's ESP. Ask her, "Do you believe in ESP? YES NO MAYBE WHATEVER "Great, I have a test for you!" "Let me see your hands, and close your eyes!" (Good compliance test) "Don't tell me what it is, but think of a Number from 1-4 quickly,(snap your fingers) got it?" "3" Don't let her respond to much outside of yes or no. Right away say, "Great, no pick a number from 1-10, and don't tell me,(snap your fingers) got it?" "7"

Reason you pick 3 & 7.

#3 - 90% of people pick this when forced to do it quickly. People hate choosing 1 &4 just because you said them, and #2 is an obvious choice in the middle.
#7- is picked about 70% of the time.

If you get both right - See positive proof ESP does exist
If you get one right - See you never know what's out there
IF you get none right - I can't believe you believe in those silly things, or I knew you where to smart to fall for that ESP gag.

when Mystery says "1" he throws his hand out to the far left and then when he says "4" he throws his other hand to the far right. Then he snaps his finger 3/4 of the way between the space he made with his hands and says "Got it?"

You're standing in front of her, you place your hands in the air at the appropriate positions when you say "1" and "4", then you snap your fingers at the "3" position. She's already got the visual of where YOU set "4" at, so when you snap your fingers at the "3" position, her mind autmoatically processes that. Even if you're standing in front of her.

I've had great fun with this, and get some of that kino in with touching her hands and doing compliance testing by her trusting you with her closing her eyes. Sometimes I'll play with her like, "Clear your mind, breathe through your nose and out your mouth, and just relax." "The I'll make a noise to scare her to be playful. Then I do the trick or routine"

Have Fun with it!

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