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Peekaboo by Peter Turner

Created by: Peter Turner

Peekaboo is a mentalism trick that uses billets (small pieces of paper or blank business cards) to secretly peek at a spectator's written information. The method is simple yet highly deceptive, leveraging techniques familiar to card magicians but applied in a mentalism context. Peter Turner's masterclass also introduces variations like 'Spy Hard,' where the peeked information vanishes using a lighter, adding an extra layer of mystery. This trick is ideal for close-up or parlour settings and is perfect for performers looking to expand their mentalism repertoire with minimal props.

Key features

  • Uses billets for a clean peek

  • Teaches multiple variations, including 'Spy Hard'

  • Blends card magic techniques with mentalism

  • Suitable for beginners and advanced performers

  • Includes practical performance tips and psychology

Pros

  • Simple yet highly deceptive

  • Versatile for close-up or parlour magic

  • Clear teaching with practical applications

  • Includes backup methods for performance safety

Cons

  • May require practice to master the subtleties

  • Billet work might feel unfamiliar to pure card magicians

Effect

Peekaboo is a mentalism trick where the magician appears to read a spectator's mind by secretly glimpsing information written on a small piece of paper, called a billet. The method is simple but deceptive, making it look like the performer has genuine psychic abilities.

Full details

Peekaboo uses a billet (a small blank piece of paper or business card) and a subtle technique to secretly view the spectator's written information. The method is borrowed from card magic but adapted for mentalism, making it feel natural and convincing. Peter Turner also teaches a variation called "Spy Hard," where the information vanishes using a lighter, adding an extra layer of mystery.

The trick relies on misdirection, body language, and verbal presentation to disguise the method. Turner emphasizes how small adjustments in performance can make the technique seem impossible to detect.

Who should consider the trick

Peekaboo is ideal for:

  • Magicians interested in mentalism but new to billet work.
  • Card magicians looking to expand into psychological magic.
  • Performers who want a quick, portable, and powerful mentalism effect.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The technical skill required is minimal, making it accessible to beginners. However, the real challenge lies in presentation—selling the effect convincingly without raising suspicion. Turner’s teaching helps performers refine their delivery to make the trick feel organic.

What magicians say

Steve Faulkner from RealMagicReview calls Peekaboo "so simple that it scares me," highlighting how effective the method is despite its simplicity. He praises Turner’s ability to make mentalism techniques feel natural, saying, "The way he presents it completely hides what’s really happening."

Faulkner also notes that Turner’s approach helps magicians overcome "magician’s guilt"—the fear that a method is too obvious once known. He says, "Watching Peter made me realize how much you can get away with using simple techniques when presented well."

The trick is part of a broader masterclass that includes other strong material, such as Turner’s version of "Out of This World" and an ESP symbol routine. Faulkner recommends the entire class for its clear explanations and practical value.

What people are saying about Peekaboo

Steve Faulkner says...

Peekaboo is so simple that it scares me—because the technique seems transparent once you know it, but Peter Turner shows how to sell it as a miracle. [...] His version of 'Out of This World' fooled me completely, and it revived my passion for the trick.

Review videos