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Scrabble Tiles by Chris Philpott

Created by: Chris Philpott

Scrabble Tiles is a close-up mentalism trick where the magician uses a set of Scrabble tiles to predict a word freely thought of by a spectator. The tiles are randomly selected or handled in a way that seems impossible to control, yet they spell out the exact word, creating a moment of astonishment and mind-reading illusion. This trick is part of a larger mentalism routine, often integrated into props like magazines or performed standalone, and requires no gimmicks, making it versatile for various performance settings. Buyers should note that it involves sleight of hand or psychological forces and may come with instructions for multiple routines.

Key features

  • Versatile for close-up and stage mentalism performances

  • No gimmicks required, using standard or provided Scrabble tiles

  • Includes multiple routines and integration tips for broader shows

  • Emphasizes psychological methods over complex sleights

  • Suitable for both beginners and experienced magicians with practice

Pros

  • Highly visual and engaging for audiences

  • Easy to reset and perform multiple times

  • Can be combined with other effects for a fuller routine

  • Testimonials from professionals highlight its effectiveness

Cons

  • May require practice to master the psychological forces

  • Not suitable for very large audiences without amplification

  • Relies on spectator interaction, which can be unpredictable

Effect

Scrabble Tiles is a mentalism effect where a spectator thinks of any word. The magician then reveals a prediction that matches the spectator's chosen word exactly. The prediction is often made using physical Scrabble tiles, which are randomly selected by the spectator during the routine. The effect appears to demonstrate genuine mind reading or precognition.

Full details

The effect is contained within Chris Philpott's Odyssey, a luxury travel magazine designed as a multi-effect prop. The Scrabble Tiles routine is one of ten mentalism effects integrated into the magazine's content. The method uses the magazine itself as a key component, allowing for a clean and logical presentation. The routine does not require any electronics or pre-show work. It is designed to be performed impromptu with the magazine as the only necessary prop. The method is straightforward and relies on the magazine's design.

Who should consider the trick

This trick is suitable for mentalists and magicians who perform close-up or parlor magic. It is ideal for performers who want a word prediction effect that uses a common object like a magazine. It is also good for those who prefer self-contained props with no reset. Performers who like multi-use props will find value in Odyssey magazine, which contains several other effects.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The Scrabble Tiles routine is not technically difficult. It requires basic presentation skills and the ability to follow a structured routine. The method is easy to learn and can be performed after reviewing the included training materials. There are no complex sleights or moves. The difficulty level is low to moderate, focusing on presentation rather than technique.

What magicians say

Prominent magicians have endorsed Odyssey, which includes the Scrabble Tiles effect. Banachek called it "F#%&ing Brilliant." Shawn Farquhar added it to his show at Hidden Wonders immediately. Brett Barry considers it the "ultimate version" of Philpott's earlier concepts. Craig Petty discussed using Scrabble tiles in mentalism routines during a Q&A, emphasizing the importance of clear method and strong presentation. He noted that such effects work well when presented with confidence.

What people are saying about Scrabble Tiles

magic-tv says...

Craig Petty discusses routines using Scrabble tiles, emphasizing confidence and simplicity in performance, and shares that it can be a strong addition to close-up magic with proper handling and emotional connection.

MurphysMagicSupplies says...

Odyssey is a luxury travel magazine filled with mentalism effects, including a Scrabble prediction routine where a thought-of word is predicted using randomly selected tiles. It's considered an advancement over previous concepts and is praised by professionals like Banachek as 'F#%&ing Brilliant!'

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