Insider by Marc Oberon

Effect

The Insider by Mark Oberon is a peek device that allows magicians and mentalists to secretly view information written by a spectator. The performer hands out an index card, the spectator writes something on it, and the card is returned to the stack. Without the spectator realizing, the magician can peek at the written information while the card remains in full view. The effect is clean, direct, and appears completely fair—no suspicious movements or hidden actions.

Full Details

The Insider includes:

• The peek device itself (a handmade gimmick designed for durability).
• Two stacks of custom index cards (around 60-70 cards included).
• Rubber bands (used as a convincer but optional).
• A 1.5-hour streaming tutorial featuring Mark Oberon and UK mentalist Aaron Calvert.

The device is low-tech and analog, making it reliable without electronics. The peek area is large, allowing up to six pieces of information to be viewed at once. The cards are designed with wider spacing to encourage larger handwriting, making the peek easier to read.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This is ideal for:

• Mentalists who need a discreet way to gather information in performances.
• Stage and parlor performers looking for a clean alternative to wallet peeks.
• Magicians who prefer analog methods over electronic devices.
• Workers who want a practical, reusable tool for multiple routines.

It may not be the best choice for walk-around magicians due to its size (similar to a deck of cards), which could be bulky in pockets.

Difficulty

The Insider is mechanically simple—even beginners can perform the peek with minimal practice. However, the real skill lies in the performance:

• Handling: There are slight angle considerations, but they are manageable with practice.
• Psychology: The tutorial emphasizes language, subtleties, and misdirection to enhance the effect.
• Routine-building: Aaron Calvert’s section provides advanced strategies for structuring performances.

As reviewer fiddlinjonny notes, "A monkey could perform the peek, but doing it well requires practice and performance finesse."

What Magicians Say

• fiddlinjonny highlights the Insider’s practicality: "It's a real worker—affordable, durable, and perfect for professional settings." He appreciates the large peek area but mentions a slight sound when opening the device (though ambient noise usually masks it).
• RealMagicReview (Steve Faulkner) praises its cleanliness: "You can peek multiple times without damaging the paper—it’s incredibly open and fair-looking." He also loves the tutorial’s depth, calling it "a masterclass in mentalism techniques."
• Both reviewers agree that while refill cards are necessary, they are reasonably priced and easy to obtain.

Overall, the Insider is highly recommended for performers who want a reliable, low-tech peek system with strong audience-proof methods.