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Time to Travel by Juan Pablo

Created by: Juan Pablo

Time to Travel by Juan Pablo is a captivating mentalism routine that takes the spectator on a magical journey around the world. The magician presents a catalog with flags from various countries, and the spectator is asked to mark a cross anywhere on it, seemingly at random. This action leaves four possible countries, from which the spectator mentally selects one and remembers its corresponding number. The magician then reveals a prediction that matches the spectator’s chosen airline, the country’s number (which corresponds to a seat number on a plane ticket), and finally, the country itself. This triple reveal leaves the spectator genuinely astonished. The trick is designed for close-up or parlor performances and is self-working, relying on psychological principles rather than complex sleight of hand.

Key features

  • Self-working effect, making it accessible to performers of all skill levels.

  • Relies on psychological principles for a strong sense of spectator participation.

  • Triple reveal (airline, seat number, country) for a memorable climax.

  • Can be performed close-up or in parlor settings.

  • Engaging patter and misdirection enhance the effect.

Pros

  • High impact with minimal technical skill required.

  • Strong audience reaction and memorability.

  • Versatile for different performance settings.

  • Engages the spectator in a unique and interactive way.

Cons

  • Requires a specific setup (globe and envelope).

  • May need additional items like a pen for marking, not included.

Effect

Time to Travel by Juan Pablo is a mentalism routine that creates the illusion of a spectator making completely free choices, only for the magician to reveal a series of precise predictions. The effect unfolds in three phases:

  • Country Selection – The spectator marks a cross on a catalog featuring flags from various countries, seemingly choosing any location at random.
  • Number & Airline – From the marked area, the spectator mentally selects one of four countries and notes its corresponding number. The magician then reveals a prediction matching the airline associated with that country.
  • Final Reveal – The spectator confirms their chosen country, and the magician shows that the seat number on a plane ticket inside the prediction envelope matches the number they selected.

    • The routine builds to a strong climax, leaving the audience with the impression that every step was guided by their own free will.

    Full Details

    The trick relies on a clever system of psychological forces and pre-determined outcomes, making it self-working—no sleight of hand is required. Key components include:

    • A globe or catalog displaying country flags (can be shown freely before and after marking).
    • A prediction envelope containing the airline name, seat number, and country.
    • Optional use of a gimmicked pen (such as the Nicholas Lawrence Sharp Shifter) for added deception during the marking phase.

    The method ensures that the spectator’s choices feel genuinely random while steering them toward the intended outcome.

    Who Should Consider the Trick

    • Mentalists looking for a structured, multi-phase routine with strong audience participation.
    • Stage or Parlor Performers who want a visual, globe-based effect with minimal props.
    • Beginners seeking a self-working trick with high impact.
    • Close-up Magicians (with slight adjustments for angles when handling the envelope).

    Difficulty

    • Ease of Execution: The trick is low difficulty, relying on presentation and psychology rather than technical skill.
    • Practice Required: Focus on pacing and misdirection to enhance the illusion of free choice.
    • Angle Sensitivity: Minimal—only the envelope handling requires slight attention if performing close-up.

    What Magicians Say

    • SaturnMagicShop highlights the routine’s "self-working" nature and emphasizes the importance of engaging patter to sell the illusion.
    • Mark T. (via SaturnMagicShop’s review) praises the strong stage presence of the effect but notes that the envelope does the heavy lifting, suggesting pairing it with a gimmicked pen for smoother handling.
    • Performers appreciate the triple reveal structure, which escalates the mystery and leaves a lasting impression.

    Time to Travel is ideal for performers who want a foolproof, audience-tested mentalism piece with a travel-themed narrative. Its simplicity and strong reactions make it a worthwhile addition to any act.

    What people are saying about Time to Travel by Juan Pablo

    Mark T says...

    The method is self-working the envelope does the the work as such [...] it's a great standup parlor type routine basically self-working the globe can be shown totally so they can see the whole thing.

    SaturnMagicShop says...

    The routine’s reliance on psychological principles rather than complex sleight of hand makes it accessible to a wide range of performers. The multiple reveals—airline, seat number, and country—provide a satisfying and memorable climax.

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