John Morton’s Billet Peek by John Morton

Created by: John Morton

John Morton’s Billet Peek is a close-up mentalism trick that allows the performer to secretly peek at a billet (a small piece of paper) without any suspicious moves. The spectator writes down a name or thought, folds the billet, and the magician, without touching it, reveals the information as if reading their mind. This trick is perfect for name divinations or thought-reading routines, offering a clean and baffling method that looks completely natural.

Key features

Simple and effective method for billet peeking
No suspicious moves or handling required
Works for name divinations and thought-reading routines
Highly practical for close-up or parlour settings

Pros

Clean and natural-looking method
Easy to perform with minimal practice
Versatile for various mentalism routines
Highly deceptive for spectators

Cons

Requires a specific setup with billets
May not be as impactful for large audiences

Effect

John Morton’s Billet Peek is a method for secretly obtaining information written on a small piece of paper (a billet) by a spectator. The magician never directly touches the billet, making the revelation appear impossible. The peek happens in plain sight, yet remains undetectable to the audience.

Full Details

This billet peek is designed for simplicity and natural handling. The method allows the magician to glimpse the information without suspicious movements or complicated sleights. The peek happens while the billet is in the spectator’s possession or placed in a container, ensuring a clean and convincing presentation.

The technique is adaptable for various routines, including name divinations, thought-of-word revelations, or personal information readings. It works well in close-up and parlor settings, making it a versatile tool for mentalists and magicians.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Mentalists looking for a reliable, invisible peek method.
Close-up magicians who want to add a mind-reading element to their sets.
Performers who value simplicity—this method avoids overly complex moves.
Beginners to intermediate magicians—the technique is easy to learn but powerful in performance.

Difficulty

John Morton’s Billet Peek is moderate in difficulty. While it doesn’t require advanced sleight-of-hand, it does rely on timing and natural handling. The method is straightforward, but practice is needed to ensure the peek remains undetectable.

What Magicians Say

Henry Ferris, a young magician and creator, praises the method:

"It's super simple but it works and it works fantastically... there's so many like stupidly complicated options there for a billet peek, and I just think no—go simple or go home."

He uses it frequently in performances, particularly for name divinations, where the peek allows him to reveal a spectator’s chosen name without ever touching the billet.

The method is favored for its practicality and deceptive nature, making it a strong choice for performers who want a reliable way to gather information invisibly.

What people are saying about John Morton’s Billet Peek

Henry Ferris says...

John Morton’s Billet Peek is super simple but works fantastically. There are so many stupidly complicated options out there, but this one is just perfect—go simple or go home.