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Quinta by Philip Smith

Created by: Philip Smith

Quinta is a powerful mentalism effect where the performer appears to read a spectator's mind by forcing one out of five possible choices with no visible props or setup. This close-up or parlour trick creates a stunning moment of apparent mind-reading, leaving audiences baffled by its simplicity and impact. The method is elegant and relies on psychological principles rather than complex sleight of hand, making it accessible to performers of all skill levels.

Key features

  • No props or gimmicks required

  • Works with any group size

  • Can be performed impromptu

  • Blends psychology and magic for a clean effect

Pros

  • Highly deceptive and baffling

  • Easy to learn and perform

  • Versatile for close-up or parlour settings

  • Strong audience impact

Cons

  • Relies heavily on presentation and scripting

  • May require practice to perfect the psychological subtleties

Effect

Quinta is a mentalism effect where the performer appears to read a spectator's mind with startling accuracy. The spectator freely thinks of one item from a set of five, and the magician correctly identifies their choice without any props or obvious methods. The effect feels organic and spontaneous, making it highly deceptive.

Full Details

Quinta is a force-based mentalism routine that allows the performer to influence a spectator's choice from five possible options. The method is subtle and relies on psychological principles rather than sleight of hand. The routine is structured to feel natural, with no suspicious actions or awkward moments. It can be performed impromptu and adapted to different performance settings, from close-up to stage.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Quinta is ideal for mentalists and magicians who want a strong, prop-free mind-reading effect. It suits performers who enjoy psychological methods and clean presentations. Since it requires no gimmicks, it’s also a great option for those who prefer minimal setups.

Difficulty

Quinta is not technically demanding, but it does require strong audience management and timing. The method relies on subtle psychological cues rather than complex moves, making it accessible to intermediate performers. However, selling the effect convincingly depends on natural delivery and confidence.

What Magicians Say

Steve Faulkner from RealMagicReview describes Quinta as "an incredible way of forcing one out of five things" and praises its deceptive simplicity. He notes that while the initial method might seem straightforward, the real power comes from the scripting and premise, making it a highly effective piece of mentalism. Faulkner also highlights how the routine can be adapted for different performance contexts, calling it "as powerful as [Phillip Smith] says."

For magicians looking for a clean, psychological force with no props, Quinta is a strong contender. Its versatility and deceptive nature make it a valuable addition to any mentalism repertoire.

What people are saying about Quinta

RealMagicReview (Steve Faulkner) says...

Quinta is an incredible way of forcing one out of five things with no props—just spontaneously, you don't have to say anything like 'we knew.' It's as powerful as it sounds, and the method is elegant.

Review videos