John Kennedy Mind Power Deck by John Kennedy

Effect

The John Kennedy Mind Power Deck creates a powerful mentalism effect where a spectator freely thinks of any card from a face-up spread. The magician then reveals the thought-of card through apparent mind reading. The spectator sees their card vanish from the deck, leaving only a single face-down card in the middle. When this card is turned over, it is blank. The magician then produces the spectator’s thought-of card from their pocket. Finally, the entire deck is shown to be blank, reinforcing the illusion that the card was never in the deck to begin with.

Full Details

The trick involves a specially gaffed deck that allows for the seamless disappearance and reappearance of the spectator’s chosen card. The routine requires minimal sleight of hand, with the main challenge lying in the mentalism presentation—working out the spectator’s thought-of card convincingly. The deck is not meant for spectator handling, so the magician must maintain control throughout the performance.

The effect draws inspiration from classic mentalism principles, similar to Darren Brown’s "Smoke" routine and Leo Reed’s "Divine and Conquer." The John Kennedy Mind Power Deck offers a streamlined approach, combining elements of these methods into a visually striking and deceptive routine.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for mentalists and card magicians who want a strong, self-contained effect with minimal sleight of hand. It works well as a closer in a card routine or as a standalone mentalism piece. Those familiar with thought-of card methods will find it easier to adapt, but even beginners can learn it with practice.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The physical handling is straightforward, requiring only one basic sleight that most card workers will already know. The real challenge lies in the mentalism aspect—memorizing and smoothly executing the method to determine the spectator’s thought-of card. Nique Tan notes that "the difficulty in this is in the mental part of the method," emphasizing the need for rehearsal to make the mind reading appear effortless.

What Magicians Say

Nique Tan compares the John Kennedy Mind Power Deck to other thought-of card effects, calling it "a lovely combination" of existing methods. He highlights its visual impact, stating that it "offers a strong and visually impactful effect." However, he also cautions that performers must practice the mentalism presentation to ensure a convincing performance.

The deck’s flexibility is another plus—magicians can customize the back design to match their preferred brand of cards, making it easier to integrate into existing routines. As Tan explains, "You don’t have to strictly stick to this back design," allowing for seamless transitions between standard and gaffed decks.

Overall, the John Kennedy Mind Power Deck is a well-regarded tool for mentalists and magicians looking for a powerful, self-working effect with strong audience reactions.