Extreme Mental Effort by PigCake

Effect

The Extreme Mental Effort trick creates a strong mentalism effect. A spectator freely chooses a card from a shuffled deck. The magician then reveals the exact card through a series of subtle interactions, making it seem like they read the spectator's mind. The climax occurs when the chosen card is dramatically revealed, often with a psychological buildup similar to techniques used by mentalists like Derren Brown.

Full Details

The trick relies on a specially prepared "thick" card, created by sticking two cards together with repositionable glue. This thick card (often the five of Spades in demonstrations) is placed at the bottom of the deck. The magician uses a spread force, a technique where the spectator is subtly guided to stop at the thick card while believing they have a free choice.

Once the card is forced, the spectator can shuffle the deck, but the magician retains control by feeling for the thick card. This allows for multiple presentation styles, including dealing through the deck and revealing characteristics of the chosen card before the final reveal. The method is adaptable, letting the performer adjust the pacing for maximum impact.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for magicians who enjoy psychological presentations and mentalism-style effects. It works well in close-up and parlour settings, particularly for performers who like interactive routines. Since the method involves a forced card and a gimmicked deck, it requires some setup, making it better suited for planned performances rather than impromptu situations.

Difficulty

The trick is moderate in difficulty. The spread force requires practice to execute smoothly, especially in ensuring the spectator doesn’t detect the force. Handling the thick card naturally during shuffles and reveals also takes rehearsal. However, PigCake notes that the core technique is simple once mastered, and the trick’s structure allows for flexibility in performance.

What Magicians Say

PigCake describes the trick as "very easy to do" once the mechanics are understood, praising its deceptive simplicity. He compares it to Derren Brown’s Extreme Mental Effort, highlighting its psychological impact. The thick card also serves as a versatile tool beyond this trick, functioning as a key card for other effects.

PigCake emphasizes the importance of timing and misdirection, stating:
"The only difficulty here is just timing it so that when you actually get to that thick boy card, you're going to be able to reveal that card to the participant."

The trick is part of a broader set of techniques taught in the PigCake Magic Academy, where additional variations, such as drawing duplications and word revelations, are explored.