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Macro Personality by David Alnwick and Ken Dyne

Created by: David Alnwick, Ken Dyne

Macro Personality is a captivating mentalism card trick where the performer presents it as a personality test using a standard deck of cards. The performer explains the symbolic meanings of each suit and rank (e.g., hearts represent emotions, kings represent leadership), then invites two spectators to each select a card they feel represents their personality. The magician then performs a detailed personality reading for each spectator, ultimately revealing their chosen cards with uncanny accuracy. This trick blends close-up magic with psychological intrigue, making it perfect for parlour or intimate performances. Buyers should note that while the method is simple, the presentation requires strong storytelling and audience engagement skills.

Key features

  • Uses a standard deck of cards—no gimmicks needed

  • Beginner-friendly method with professional-level impact

  • Highly adaptable to the performer's style and scripting

  • Blends card magic with mentalism for a unique experience

  • Ideal for parlour or close-up performances

Pros

  • Simple method allows focus on performance and audience interaction

  • Versatile—can be tailored to fit any performer's persona

  • Strong psychological hook with the personality test premise

  • Affordable and digital, making it easily accessible

Cons

  • Requires confidence in storytelling and audience management

  • May not appeal to those who prefer purely visual magic

  • One routine ('Ethereal Card') is procedural-heavy, which some may dislike

Effect

The trick Macro Personality presents as a personality test using a standard deck of cards. The performer explains that before tarot readings, people used playing cards to analyze personalities. Two spectators each pick a card they believe represents their personality. The magician then interprets these cards, revealing insights about the spectators' traits. The routine concludes with the magician correctly identifying the chosen cards, blending mentalism with a structured, engaging performance.

Full details

Macro Personality is part of the Fringe Mentalism release by David Alnwick and Ken Dyne. It transforms a simple card trick into a full mentalism routine. The performer assigns meanings to suits and ranks (e.g., hearts represent emotions, kings symbolize leadership). Two spectators freely select cards, and the magician interprets their personalities based on the cards' symbolism. The method is straightforward, relying on psychological principles and audience management rather than complex sleight of hand.

The routine is adaptable—performers can adjust the script to fit their style. It works in close-up or parlor settings and requires only a deck of cards and a sheet explaining card meanings (optional).

Who should consider the trick

This trick suits:

  • Mentalists looking for a structured, audience-tested routine.
  • Card magicians wanting to expand into psychological performance.
  • Beginners since it uses simple methods with no difficult moves.
  • Professionals seeking a scalable routine with strong audience engagement.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The method is beginner-friendly, with no advanced sleights. The hardest part is executing a convincing force (the tutorial suggests the classic force, but any force works). The real challenge lies in performance—delivering the personality test convincingly and managing audience reactions.

What magicians say

FiddlinJonny, a reviewer, praised Macro Personality for its simplicity and professional polish:

  • "David has taken something so simple and made it a full, rich mentalism routine... It’s inspiring to see how basic methods can create a great performance piece."
  • He noted its adaptability: "You can create your own script and approach once you understand the method."
  • The routine’s strength is its audience engagement: "It’s a great demonstration of how to take care of your spectators and build tension."

The trick is part of a broader release (Fringe Mentalism) that reviewers call one of the best mentalism downloads of the year for its practicality and professional value.

What people are saying about Macro Personality

fiddlinjonny says...

Macro Personality is unbelievable in terms of how David Alnwick has taken something so simple and made it a full, rich mentalism routine. It’s inspiring to see how you can turn a basic card trick into a great performance piece.

Review videos