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Not.ESP by Jake Keane

Created by: Jake Keane

Not.ESP is a revolutionary mentalism app that allows performers to conduct ESP tests with spectators in a highly deceptive and interactive manner. The trick involves the spectator matching drawn symbols or thoughts, which the magician can predict or reveal in real-time. It's designed for close-up performances, offering a seamless blend of technology and traditional mentalism techniques. The app is praised for its simplicity, effectiveness, and the ability to perform instant drawing duplications or predictions without any physical gimmicks.

Key features

  • Utilizes a web app for performances, requiring no physical gimmicks.

  • Allows for instant drawing duplications or predictions.

  • Designed for close-up mentalism performances.

  • Highly deceptive method that leaves spectators baffled.

  • Can be performed with any phone, making it versatile for various performance settings.

Pros

  • Highly deceptive and interactive.

  • Simple to perform with minimal setup.

  • Versatile for various mentalism routines.

  • Instant reset allows for quick repetitions.

  • No physical gimmicks required, making it examinable.

Cons

  • Performance may be limited in extremely loud environments due to the method's reliance on subtle cues.

  • Requires a smartphone to perform, which may not be suitable for all performers.

  • The method may not be suitable for all performance settings, requiring specific conditions for optimal effect.

Effect

Not.ESP. is a mentalism app that creates the illusion of telepathy between the performer and the spectator. The magician draws a symbol (such as a star, circle, or wavy lines) on their phone, then asks the spectator to mentally receive the image and draw it in the air. When the spectator reveals their drawing, it matches the symbol the magician drew—despite no verbal or visual cues being given. The effect can be repeated multiple times, with the spectator even sending their own thoughts back to the magician, resulting in an impossible mind-reading demonstration.

Full Details

Not.ESP. is a digital tool designed for mentalists and magicians to perform ESP-based routines with minimal setup. The app allows the performer to:

  • Draw symbols or simple images on their phone.
  • Have the spectator "receive" the image telepathically and draw it in the air.
  • Switch roles, with the spectator mentally sending an image back to the magician, who then draws it accurately.
  • Expand beyond ESP symbols to include any simple drawings (e.g., a cup of tea, a mountain).

The method is highly deceptive, with no reliance on voice activation, camera monitoring, or forced choices. The app integrates seamlessly into performances, making it appear as if the magician is using a standard notes application.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Not.ESP. is ideal for:

  • Mentalists looking for a clean, technology-assisted ESP routine.
  • Close-up and table-hoppers who want a quick, impactful effect with minimal props.
  • Performers who enjoy interactive, psychological magic rather than traditional card or coin tricks.
  • Magicians who prefer digital tools but want something more deceptive than standard magic apps.

Difficulty

The trick is easy to perform but requires some memory work for optimal execution.

  • Basic ESP routine: Requires minimal practice (5-10 minutes to learn).
  • Advanced drawing duplication: May take 30-60 minutes to master if using the full range of possibilities.
  • No sleight of hand needed, making it accessible to beginners.

Reviewers note that while the method is simple, the presentation is key to maximizing the effect’s impact.

What Magicians Say

  • Lloyd Barnes calls it "by far my favorite thing to do instantly on the fly... it's just real and it's just instant." He praises its versatility, stating, "You can do it with anything... it's literally the best thing ever."
  • Sebastian Toca rates it 8.75/10, highlighting its simplicity and impact but noting it requires specific performance settings (e.g., not ideal for extremely loud environments).
  • Reid Ferry describes it as "very clean" with a clever dual-reality method, though he personally prefers using it for drawing duplications rather than ESP tests.

Overall, Not.ESP. is praised for its deceptive method, ease of use, and strong audience reactions, making it a standout tool for modern mentalism performances.

What people are saying about Not.ESP

lloydb says...

It's absolutely unlike almost anything in this realm that I've ever seen... it's not like your normal thing and it's absolutely not like anything I've been preaching my ass about for the past however long this video's got on for.

ReidFerry says...

Not.ESP by Jak Keane... it's very clean and the way it works when I first saw it in Lloyd's video I immediately kind of knew what was going on but it's got a very clever almost dual reality going on with it which I really liked.

sebastiantoca9208 says...

Not E.S.P is an ESP routine where your spectator will always know what you drew or you will always have predicted what the spectator is thinking of or any matter of fact.

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