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Parapad by Parapad

Created by: Parapad

The Parapad is a mentalism trick that allows the magician to seemingly read a spectator's mind by knowing what they've written down on a piece of paper, which is then torn out and hidden. The magician can reveal the information without ever seeing the paper. This trick is perfect for close-up or parlour settings and is known for its deceptive nature and the updated Foster-Johnson handling, which adds an extra layer of impossibility by using an opaque envelope.

Key features

  • Versatile for mentalism routines

  • Updated Foster-Johnson handling for more subtle information gathering

  • Works flawlessly and is easy to get the information

  • Can be used impromptu

  • Ends clean with no suspicion

Pros

  • Highly deceptive and impactful

  • Portable and easy to carry

  • Can be adapted to various performances

  • Updated version (Foster-Johnson Pad) adds more justification and impossibility

Cons

  • Requires practice to perform smoothly

  • The original version may seem less justified without the envelope addition

Effect

The Parapad is an impression device used in mentalism. A spectator writes down private information on a piece of paper, tears it out, and keeps it hidden. Despite never seeing the written content, the magician reveals the information with impossible accuracy. The updated Foster-Johnson Pad version enhances the deception by introducing an opaque envelope, making the revelation even more baffling.

Full Details

The Parapad appears as an ordinary notepad, making it highly deceptive. The spectator writes freely, tears out the sheet, and conceals it. The magician never touches the paper, yet gains full knowledge of the written information. The Foster-Johnson variant adds an extra layer of impossibility—after tearing the paper, the spectator places it inside an opaque envelope, further eliminating any suspicion of tampering.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Mentalists and magicians who perform psychological or prediction-based routines will find the Parapad invaluable. It suits close-up, parlour, and even stage settings where information gathering is key. Those who prefer impromptu-style effects will appreciate its natural handling and minimal setup.

Difficulty

The Parapad is easy to use, requiring no complex sleight of hand. The method is straightforward, but performers must focus on presentation to maximize impact. The Foster-Johnson version adds a slight refinement but remains simple to execute.

What Magicians Say

AJ DeBeck, a magician and mentalist, praises the Parapad for its deceptive nature, stating: "I love this method when seeming genuinely impromptu... it's inconceivable how I'm able to know what they're thinking of." He also highlights the Foster-Johnson update, calling it "very clever" and noting that it "feels slightly more Justified and also personally seems a bit more impossible."

The Parapad is a reliable tool for mentalists seeking a clean, direct method for information gathering. Its simplicity and strong impact make it a worthwhile addition to any performer's toolkit.

What people are saying about Parapad

AJ DeBeck says...

The Parapad and Foster-Johnson Pad are appreciated for their deceptive nature. [...] The Foster-Johnson pad is basically a Parapad but after the participant tears the paper out you hand them an opaque envelope to put their folded paper in so no one can get to it or see through it in the act of handing them the envelope you'll get all the information you need it's very clever and I've loved the updated handling it feels slightly more Justified and also personally seems a bit more impossible.

AlakazamMagicUK says...

The Parapad is one of those weird items that as soon as you bring it out it really raises people interest levels. [...] It's a really interesting sort of strange prop for non-magic folk or non-Mystic folk.

Review videos