I used to get a lot of laughs with these "bits" (hard to really call them "tricks" but they're a little more than "jokes."

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Stand right in front of "volunter." Hold out deck of cards, spread. "Pick a card, any card, and look at it..."

As he does so, say "Study it very carefully, concentrate, and I'll tell you exactly what card it is ... have you got it firmly in mind?" - all the while holding your hands up (within his "comfort space") in a display of magic power,

["Yes"] - Quick as lightning, snatch it from his fingers, openly look at it and tell him what card it is.

Okay, it's stupid ... that's why it gets laughs.

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Write a prediction of a card on a piece of paper ("I predict you will not chose the King of Hearts"), fold it and place it in your pocket. Walk up to someone, and say, "Think of a card." After affirming thay have done so, you say, "Was your card the King of Hearts?" They will say "no!" You pull out your paper and open it to reveal, "I predict you will not chose the King of Hearts." When it miraculously (1 in 52 times) turns out they actually did choose the King of Hearts just don't bring out the paper and you have just done a miracle. Otherwise it's comedy.

I really like # 2! I'd do it a hundred times just for that one shot of getting it right...straight, inexplicable mind reading!

Thanks for the tip!

It sounds hilarious and a great ideal keep up the good work.

We're definitely in the market for more!

BTW, the first one - absolutely has to be done with a straight face and matter-of-fact delivery, no smile - or else as a sucker-trick "It's the ten of clubs ... what, did you think I was psychic or something, idiot!?"

Not to de-rail the post But I think it would be beneficial to reads as to why it's funny. I believe it's funny not because it's stupid (even though it is). It works because you are relaying on the audience conditioned to think the magician is going to get it right. And you do by doing a 180,"Surprise" and how does the audience release there tension by way of a laugh or chuckle. Which at the right moment can be exactly what the Doctor ordered.

If you're ever in this situation. Have a very tall person on stage with you and hand him a small piece of rope. Note the size of rope to the audience and look at the person on stage with you. Say nothing. It will always get a laugh.
Why? I think the audience looks at it from a sexual point of you yet you say nothing but they think it.
cheers chris

You first magic gag reminds me to a similar "effect".
You spread a deck of cards to the audience that they can see every card is different. Then you turn the cards face to you, backs to the audience and let pick up any card. Of course you can see what card is chosen, but you turn your head to tell them that you not want to see the card. After the spectator looked at his card you reveal his card and make a big show.
Some of the spectators will notice the secret of course and will laugh, but some won´t notice it and for them you created a miracle.

Compleatly true and works for more than just rope. I look at the front and back of my hand and then look at the guy up and down then shake my head. Same reaction. Looking people over always gets a laugh.

ATG