Word-o by Barry Richardson and Bruce Elliot

Created by: Barry Richardson, Bruce Elliot

Word-o is a mentalism effect where a spectator freely selects any word from a book. The magician, using subtle psychological principles and a clever method, accurately predicts or reveals the chosen word. This trick is perfect for close-up or parlour settings, offering a profound experience that feels completely fair and impossible to the audience. Buyers should note that the method relies on psychological subtleties rather than complex props, making it versatile and easy to perform with any book.

Key features

Works with any book
No gimmicks or pre-show work required
Relies on psychological principles
Highly adaptable to different presentations

Pros

Strong mentalism effect
Completely examinable props
Easy to reset
Can be performed impromptu

Cons

Requires careful scripting for maximum impact
May need practice to perfect the psychological subtleties

Effect

Word-O is a mentalism effect where a spectator freely selects a word from any book. The magician can predict or reveal the chosen word with seemingly no force or influence. The trick creates a strong sense of impossibility, as the spectator believes they had complete freedom in their choice.

Full Details

Word-O allows the performer to use any book, making it highly adaptable. The spectator can name any page number or stop the magician while flipping through the pages. The magician then runs their finger down the page, and the spectator calls "stop" at any word. Despite the apparent freedom, the magician knows the exact word selected.

The method relies on psychological principles rather than complex gimmicks, making it practical and easy to reset. It can be performed with a bookmark or a paperclip, keeping the method invisible to the audience.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Word-O is ideal for mentalists and magicians who want a clean, impromptu book test. It works well for performers who enjoy psychological magic and storytelling. Since it doesn’t require gimmicked books, it’s great for those who prefer minimal props.

Difficulty

The trick is not technically difficult but requires smooth presentation and audience management. The performer must be comfortable with subtle psychological techniques to ensure the spectator feels they had a free choice.

What Magicians Say

Oliver Meech praises Word-O for its "invisible compromise," where the method remains hidden while the effect feels completely fair. He highlights its flexibility, using it in different routines—one involving time travel and another exploring synesthesia.

Barry Richardson’s Theater of the Mind includes Word-O, emphasizing its strong psychological foundation. Jay Sankey’s Slider also explores variations, demonstrating the trick’s adaptability.

Magicians appreciate Word-O for its deceptive simplicity and the ability to create profound experiences with minimal setup. It’s a powerful tool for mentalism performances that leave a lasting impression.

What people are saying about Word-o

AlakazamMagicUK says...

Word-o demonstrates the power of subtle influence and psychological principles, making it a standout mentalism effect.

Oliver Meech says...

Word-o is one of those tricks where the compromise is pretty invisible. It feels like you're just pointing, and they say stop—that's the word. It's so fair and clean.