Have you ever watched a mentalist and wondered, How did they do that? The art of mentalism—appearing to read minds, predict the future, or influence thoughts—seems like a rare superpower mentalism tricks. The truth is, many impressive mentalism tricks rely on simple psychological principles and clever techniques that anyone can learn.
This guide will introduce you to a few fundamental tricks that are fun, easy to master, and guaranteed to amaze your friends and family. By understanding these basics, you’ll gain a new appreciation for the psychology behind the performance and have some mind-blowing effects ready for your next social gathering.
The Grey Elephant in Denmark Trick
This classic trick is a fantastic introduction to psychological forcing. The goal is to make someone think of a grey elephant in Denmark through a series of seemingly random questions.
How does it work?
The trick relies on guiding the participant’s thoughts through a specific sequence of steps. Here’s the process:
Ask them to pick a number: Instruct them to choose a number between 1 and 10. Let’s say they choose 7.
Perform simple math: Tell them to multiply their number by 9. (7 x 9 = 63).
Add the digits: Ask them to add the two digits of their new number together. (6 + 3 = 9).
Subtract a number: Tell them to subtract 5 from the result. (9 – 5 = 4).
Assign a letter: Ask them to find the corresponding letter in the alphabet for their final number (1=A, 2=B, 3=C, 4=D). They will land on ‘D’.
Think of a country: Instruct them to think of a country that starts with that letter. The vast majority of people will think of Denmark.
Think of an animal: Finally, ask them to think of an animal that starts with the second letter of that country’s name (e). Most will choose elephant.
The reveal: Confidently state, You’re thinking of a grey elephant in Denmark, aren’t you? The addition of grey adds a layer of specificity that makes the reveal even more astonishing.
The Black and White Word Force
This trick demonstrates how easily you can influence someone’s choice with subtle cues.
How does it work?
Set the stage: Start by asking a series of rapid-fire questions involving the colors black and white. For example: What color are a piano’s keys? What color is snow? What does a zebra look like? What do you see on an old TV screen?
Ask the final question: Immediately after the sequence, ask, Quick, name a drink a cow drinks.
The outcome: Because you’ve primed their brain with black and white and mentioned a cow, most people will instinctively say milk. The correct answer, of course, is water. This shows how priming can override logical thinking.
Final Thoughts: The Art of Performance
These tricks are simple in mechanics, but their success hinges on your performance. Practice them until they feel natural. Speak confidently, maintain eye contact, and build a little suspense before the final reveal. The real magic isn’t just in the method; it’s in how you present it. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to create moments of genuine wonder and leave everyone asking, How did you know?
