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Influence Trick by ReidFerry

Created by: ReidFerry

The 'Influence Trick' is a captivating piece of mentalism and close-up magic that blends card predictions, mind-reading, and psychological influence. Spectators witness a series of impossible coincidences, such as their freely chosen card appearing between two aces, their thought-of number matching a card's position, and even their imagined item (like 'Smarties') appearing as a barcode prediction. The trick also includes elements of mental math, invisible deck routines, and even photo-based influence, making it a versatile performance piece. Buyers should note that this trick requires strong audience interaction and psychological subtleties, making it ideal for performers comfortable with improvisation and crowd work.

Key features

  • Combines card magic, mentalism, and psychological influence

  • Highly interactive with audience participation

  • Includes multiple phases for a layered performance

  • Requires comfort with improvisation and crowd work

  • Versatile for close-up or street magic settings

Pros

  • Highly engaging and interactive

  • Multiple impossible moments build astonishment

  • Versatile for different performance styles

  • Strong psychological impact on spectators

Cons

  • Relies heavily on audience participation

  • May require practice to master subtleties

  • Some phases depend on spectator choices, adding unpredictability

Effect

The Influence Trick creates the illusion that the magician can predict or influence the audience's choices in impossible ways. It involves multiple phases where spectators freely select cards, numbers, or words, only for the magician to reveal that they knew or controlled the outcome all along. The routine includes card predictions, mental math coincidences, and even a barcode reveal that matches a spectator's thought-of item.

Full Details

This trick combines psychological forces, subtle misdirection, and clever mechanics to make it seem like the magician is guiding the spectator's decisions. The routine often starts with a simple card selection, then escalates into more complex phases involving numbers, objects, and even digital predictions (like matching a song playing on a phone). The final reveal often ties everything together in a way that feels impossible, leaving the audience stunned.

Who Should Consider the Trick

The Influence Trick is ideal for performers who enjoy mentalism and psychological magic. It works well for street magicians, close-up performers, and those who like interactive routines. Since it relies on audience participation, it’s best suited for performers comfortable with improvisation and handling unexpected spectator reactions.

Difficulty

The trick requires a mix of sleight of hand, memorization, and strong presentation skills. Some phases are technically simple, while others demand precise timing and confidence in handling spectators. A magician with experience in forcing techniques and mentalism will find it easier to execute smoothly. Beginners may need practice to make the interactions feel natural.

What Magicians Say

ReidFerry’s performance demonstrates how powerful the Influence Trick can be in a live setting. The reactions from spectators highlight how convincing the routine is, especially when multiple phases build to a seemingly impossible conclusion. The trick’s strength lies in its adaptability—it can be adjusted for different audiences while maintaining a strong impact.

The summary notes that while the trick excels in live performances, some elements (like digital predictions) may not translate as strongly to recorded formats. However, the fast-paced, interactive nature keeps the energy high, making it a standout piece in a street magician’s repertoire.

What people are saying about Influence Trick

ReidFerry says...

The interesting thing is sometimes perfect coincidences and perfect things come together and create really powerful moments. You might be thinking it's just a card, just a number, but it's actually the only card and the only number that you could have said.

Performance videos