Dai Vernon's Five Card Mental Force

Borrow a deck of cards or use your own. Remove the following five cards and place them successively from left to right in an even row on table: King of Hearts, Seven of Clubs, Ace of Diamonds, Four of Hearts and Nine of Diamonds. Let us preface this description by stating that this is an experiment in pure psychological reasoning and it has been proven by countless tests to be almost infallible when properly presented. In the first place, it is based on the principle that, if any intelligent person properly "guided" by performer, is asked to mentally choose one of the five above cards, he will, by a process of reasoning, eliminate every card from his mind, with the exception of the Four of Hearts. This at first sounds absurd, but a few trials will convince you of the feasibility.

To best explain this principle, we will briefly set forth the remarks generally used by Mr. Vernon in presenting the effect:

"Here are five cards in a row and I want you to mentally select just one of them. Now let me emphasize in the first place that you have an unrestricted choice, so don"t imagine that I am trying to influence your choice in any way."

"For example, here"s the ace, a conspicuous card, that occupies the central position. For that reason you may think of it, but again you may not. Perhaps you may think I had some motive in placing just one black card among the five - this might influence your choice, but on the other hand, it might not. There is no way I could tell, for I am not a mind reader."

"At any rate, look the five cards over carefully, as long as you wish, but rest assured whatever card you definitely decide upon in your mind, I shall presently place face down upon your own hand. When you yourself are holding this card, and not until then, I shall ask you to name your thought - it will be the card. Even after this card is on your hand, you are still privileged to change your mind, but regardless, it will be your card."

So saying, Mr. Vernon picks up the five cards, shuffles them face down, draws out the Four of Hearts, exercising great caution not to expose the faces of any of the cards. The Four of Hearts is placed face down in spectator"s hand. He is then asked to name the card, which is inevitably the four spot, and turns same over.

Why should spectator choose this particular card? Logical reasoning, suggested or induced by the performer"s remarks "leads" him to it. In other words, he is deliberately led into a process of mental selection and rejection. For example, the average intelligent mind in looking over the five cards reasons along these lines: The ace and king he immediately rejects as being too conspicuous. Thc seven, being the only black card, shares the same fate. The seven also being an overworked number in magic tends to further confirm this decision. The Nine of Diamonds, for some unaccountable psychological reason, is never selected. (The late Dr. Elliott made wonderful use of the Nine of Diamonds for this reason).

The only card left is the Four of Hearts. It is not only pleasing to the mind's eye, but its position in the row tends to "intrigue" the spectator. Thus, it is chosen.

The one thing to remember in performing this effect is to make sure the spectator does reason along these lines, which he inevitably will by following the above suggested routine. This means that he must be given plenty of time to make his choice. Haste is fatal. An antagonistic or skeptical person is a perfect subject for this experiment.

A suggestion
Until performer is thoroughly familiar with the psychological aspects of this test, he may guard against spectator"s second choice, the King of Hearts, by placing same slightly forward in the row. This will work to steer him away from the king, since he'll feel you're trying to force it on him.