Sleightful logoSleightful

Envelope Routine by Simon Lipkin

Created by: Simon Lipkin

The Envelope Routine is a captivating mentalism trick where the magician predicts the order of currency notes inside shuffled envelopes. The audience is given complete freedom to shuffle and rearrange four envelopes containing different denominations (£5, £10, £20, and £50). Despite the apparent randomness, the magician accurately predicts the sequence in which the notes will be revealed, culminating in the discovery of the £50 note. This routine combines elements of probability, psychological suggestion, and audience interaction to create a memorable and impactful performance. It's suitable for close-up or parlour settings and requires minimal, readily available props.

Key features

  • Easy to learn and perform with minimal props

  • Incorporates psychological misdirection and subtle scripting

  • Engages the audience with a sense of freedom and choice

  • Suitable for close-up or parlour magic

  • Can be enhanced with personal anecdotes for deeper audience connection

Pros

  • Highly engaging and interactive

  • Uses simple, everyday props

  • Strong psychological impact on the audience

  • Flexible performance style adaptable to various settings

Cons

  • Requires confidence and performance skill to sell the effect

  • May not be suitable for all audience types without adaptation

Effect

The Envelope Routine is a mentalism effect where the performer predicts the order of shuffled envelopes containing different denominations of money. The audience freely mixes and numbers the envelopes, yet the magician accurately reveals the sequence in which the bills will appear, culminating in the discovery of the highest-value note. The routine creates a strong sense of audience participation and unpredictability while delivering a surprising and satisfying conclusion.

Full Details

The routine involves four envelopes, each containing a different bill (e.g., £5, £10, £20, and £50). The spectator shuffles and numbers the envelopes, then rearranges them further to ensure randomness. Despite this, the magician correctly predicts the exact order in which the bills will be revealed, ending with the highest denomination.

Simon Lipkin enhances the effect by incorporating a personal story about luck, reinforcing the idea that the outcome is guided by chance rather than trickery. The routine relies on psychological principles and subtle scripting to make the prediction feel impossible yet fair.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This routine is ideal for mentalists and magicians who want a strong, interactive piece that plays well in close-up or parlour settings. It works for performers who enjoy audience participation and storytelling. Since it uses simple props (envelopes and money), it is accessible for most performers.

Difficulty

The Envelope Routine is not technically demanding, making it suitable for beginners and experienced performers alike. The challenge lies in presentation—selling the fairness of the shuffle and maintaining a convincing narrative. Lipkin emphasizes that the effect is easy to learn but requires confidence in performance to make it impactful.

What Magicians Say

Simon Lipkin describes the routine as a "hard-hitting mentalism trick that is easy to do," highlighting its accessibility. He stresses the importance of audience freedom, saying, "You shuffled them as much as you wanted to... you gave me any one of the ones that you had in your hand." His playful approach, including a wager, adds excitement and reinforces the fairness of the effect.

The routine is praised for its strong psychological impact, with Lipkin noting that it relies on "psychological misdirection and subtle scripting" rather than complex sleight of hand. This makes it a practical choice for performers who want a powerful mentalism effect without difficult moves.

What people are saying about Envelope Routine

Simon Lipkin says...

You shuffled them as much as you wanted to... you gave me any one of the ones that you had in your hand. I didn't force those choices in any way shape or form.

Tutorial videos