Name Dropper by John Graham

Effect

Name Dropper is a card-based mentalism routine that blends card magic with emotional engagement. A spectator freely selects a card from a blue deck while thinking of a significant person in their life. The magician reveals the chosen card as a prediction, then shows that a set of red cards spells out the spectator's thought-of name. The effect creates a strong emotional connection by making the magic personal and meaningful.

Full Details

Name Dropper is inspired by Paul Harris' Deep Astonishment but has been redesigned for practicality. The trick includes:

• A custom-printed deck on Bicycle stock with pre-printed letters for spelling names.
• A premium leather packet wallet to hold the prediction.
• Instructional videos from John Graham and Asi Wind.
• A no-memory method, making it accessible even for beginners.

The routine requires no sleight of hand and has an instant reset, making it suitable for walk-around and close-up performances. It works with almost any name, avoiding limitations found in similar effects.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Name Dropper is ideal for:

• Magicians who want a strong emotional impact in their performances.
• Performers who prefer mentalism with minimal props.
• Those looking for a commercial effect with an instant reset.
• Beginners, since it requires no sleight of hand.

It may not be the best choice for those who dislike memorization or prefer impromptu tricks.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The trick is designed to be easy to learn but requires practice for smooth execution.

• No sleight of hand is needed, making it beginner-friendly.
• The deck acts as an open index, so performers must either memorize letter positions or use the included crib sheet.
• The presentation relies on engaging the spectator conversationally, which may take practice to feel natural.

Alex Kirk notes that while the handling is simple, performers should practice locating letters quickly for a seamless experience.

What Magicians Say

Magicians highlight different aspects of Name Dropper:

• itsallthingsmagic calls it "a powerful, emotional connection with an audience" and praises its clean presentation.
• Alex Kirk (monstermagicshop) says it’s a "keeper" and one of the strongest card tricks in his repertoire, though he notes the memorization requirement.
• Craig Petty (magic-tv) gives it a 70% rating, preferring Deep X for cleaner handling but acknowledging its strong finale.
• Scott (EverythingMagicPro99) critiques its reliance on asking for the name rather than predicting it and suggests alternatives like DMC's Alphas Deck.
• VanishingIncMagic emphasizes its emotional impact and calls it a "miracle" for walk-around performances.

Overall, Name Dropper is praised for its emotional power and practicality but has some limitations in method and memorization.