I Dream of Mind Reading by John Lovick

Effect

"I Dream of Mind Reading" is a psychological card trick where a spectator freely thinks of a card without revealing it aloud. The magician, with their back turned, instructs the spectator to deal cards based on the value and suit of their thought-of card. Despite never seeing or hearing the card, the magician reveals it perfectly. The kicker? The entire deck was blank the whole time—proving the "mind reading" happened purely in the spectator's imagination.

Full Details

Created by John Lovick and popularized by Joshua Jay, this trick uses a blank deck to create an impossible mentalism effect. The spectator silently communicates their card by dealing cards corresponding to its value and suit while the magician’s back is turned. The magician then reveals the exact card, only to show that the deck was blank all along. No switches or sleights are needed—just clever psychology and a well-structured routine.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for:

• Mentalism performers who want a clean, psychological demonstration.
• Close-up magicians looking for a baffling card trick with minimal props.
• Storytellers who can adapt Joshua Jay’s presentation about performing for a blind person (though the trick works with any presentation).

Difficulty

• Low to moderate difficulty. The method requires no advanced sleight of hand, but the presentation and timing are crucial for maximum impact.
• Easy to reset. The trick uses a standard blank deck, so it’s ready to perform again immediately.

What Magicians Say

• David Jonathan calls it "a classic blank deck trick with a powerful kicker ending," praising its deceptive simplicity and psychological impact. He notes that Joshua Jay’s handling adds an extra layer of meaning by framing it as a performance for a blind spectator.
• The blank deck revelation is often described as a "mind-blowing moment" because spectators realize they were "dealing" with cards that never existed.
• Many magicians prefer this over similar tricks (like "Out of Sight") because the blank deck ending makes the mentalism aspect feel even more impossible.

"I Dream of Mind Reading" is a standout trick for its clever method, strong audience reactions, and the unforgettable twist of the blank deck. If you enjoy mentalism or want a card trick that feels like pure mind reading, this is a must-try.