Guess Who by Peter Turner

Effect

The trick "Guess Who" by Peter Turner is a mentalism effect where the magician appears to read a spectator's mind. The spectator thinks of a name, and the magician attempts to divine it. If the initial guess fails, the performer smoothly transitions into a one-ahead routine, making the revelation feel seamless and impossible. The final reveal involves matching a forced prediction (such as an animal) with the spectator's thought, creating a strong moment of astonishment.

Full details

"Guess Who" is a prop-less name divination effect. The magician asks a spectator to think of a name, then attempts to guess it. If the guess is incorrect, the performer uses the one-ahead principle to recover. This involves forcing a second piece of information (like an animal) on another spectator, then using that to logically backtrack and reveal the original name.

The trick relies on strong scripting, misdirection, and psychological subtleties. For example, the magician may pretend to write one thing while actually writing another, or use crossed-out words to enhance the illusion. The effect is highly adaptable, allowing performers to adjust based on audience reactions.

Who should consider the trick

This trick is ideal for mentalists and magicians who enjoy interactive, psychological performances. It works well in close-up or parlour settings where spectators can be directly involved. Performers who like improvisation and handling unexpected moments will appreciate the flexibility of the one-ahead method.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The trick requires confidence in handling mistakes and smoothly transitioning between phases. The one-ahead principle demands practice to execute naturally, especially when writing predictions secretly. Performers must also be comfortable with audience management, as the effect involves direct interaction.

ReidFerry notes that while the initial name divination can fail, the recovery method is reliable with proper technique. The difficulty lies in making the transitions feel organic rather than forced.

What magicians say

ReidFerry describes "Guess Who" as a powerful effect, even when mistakes happen. He explains how he saved a failed name divination by switching to a one-ahead routine, making the performance feel intentional.

He emphasizes the importance of framing tricks as experiments to provide an out if things go wrong. His breakdown highlights key techniques, such as secretly writing predictions and using misdirection during reveals.

ReidFerry also praises the trick’s adaptability, noting that even a failed initial guess can lead to a strong finish with the right handling. His experience shows that audiences respond strongly to the effect, especially when the performer maintains confidence throughout.

Overall, "Guess Who" is a versatile mentalism tool that rewards practice and performance experience.