The Witch Hand Effect by Adam Dadswell

Effect

The Witch Hand Effect is a mentalism routine where the performer appears to read the participant's mind by determining which hand holds a hidden object. The participant thinks of a number, writes it down on a business card, and hides it in one of their hands behind their back. The magician then uses a combination of psychological cues, structured imagery, and subtle information extraction to reveal the correct hand—and often the hidden number itself. The effect creates a strong sense of impossibility, as the performer never directly touches the object or sees the participant’s choice.

Full Details

The Witch Hand Effect is a versatile routine that can be adapted for different performance settings, from close-up to parlor. Adam Dadswell’s version involves:

• A participant thinking of a number and writing it on a folded business card.
• The participant hiding the card in one hand behind their back.
• The magician using body language reading and structured imagery (inspired by Scott Creasy) to deduce the correct hand.
• Additional phases where the performer may reveal the hidden number or incorporate other participants’ choices for a layered, multi-phase routine.

The method avoids electronic solutions, relying instead on psychological principles and audience management.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This routine is ideal for:

• Mentalists who want a hands-off, interactive piece that feels like a psychological demonstration.
• Close-up performers looking for a strong, impromptu-friendly effect that doesn’t require gimmicks.
• Magicians transitioning from card magic to mentalism, as it blends structured presentation with audience engagement.

Difficulty

The Witch Hand Effect is moderate in difficulty. While the mechanics are straightforward, the routine relies heavily on:

• Audience management—guiding participants without overt instruction.
• Psychological subtleties—reading body language and leveraging structured imagery.
• Timing and pacing—to make the revelation feel organic.

Performers familiar with mentalism or psychological forces will find it easier to adapt, but beginners may need practice to refine the presentation.

What Magicians Say

Adam Dadswell praises the routine for its flexibility and impact:

"I’ve performed this again and again... It’s about pulling information from people just like we’ve done with you, but another part is pushing information to people without them realizing."

He highlights its roots in Jamie Daws’ The Tracker and Scott Creasy’s work, emphasizing how structured imagery elevates the effect. Other magicians, like Joel Dickinson and Timon Krause, have developed their own versions, showcasing the method’s adaptability.

For performers seeking a clean, interactive mentalism piece, The Witch Hand Effect offers a compelling blend of psychology and mystery.