by Alex Hui

This is a strong piece of mentalism. Though I am not totally sure the origin of the method, it is seldom used in modern mentalism. I never come across similar idea and I think the application in this effect is original to me. I have tried to keep the effect as clean as possible to eliminate any mechanical technique and make the effect looks exactly the same as what the description of the challenge said. Finally, I came up with a method which is well fit into the 'Live Lottery' theme in this effect. And it is exactly this theme which allows the possibility of this method.

Effect:

The performer invites a random spectator on stage for helping to pick some volunteers for a live lottery draw. Six spectators are chosen and each of them calls out a number loudly in order to form a random 6-digit number. The number is written on a board which is in view during the whole performance.

These 6 spectators are invited on the stage. 6 bags are passed to them for inspection, and it is clear that the bags are not gimmicked in any way. A transparent tubes containing 10 ping pong balls is brought forwards and the number 0-9 is seen on each ball. The balls are dropped into the bag and shuffled inside the bags by spectator. The first spectator takes a ball from random and calls out the number on the ball. It is the exact number chosen previously! The procedure is repeated and it is found that each of the spectators picks the ball that bears their own number! The performers never come close to the ball or touch anything! This is truly a winning Lottery!

Preparation:

An assistant (not stooge!) is needed, but she is not inside the effect at all so the audience will not remember her existence.

You also need 60 ping pong balls (total 6 sets of ball, 10 balls each set) specially prepared, but it is not difficult and one preparation serves you well in many performances. Take the ping pong balls and apply the water-proof sealer (dull transparent type) on them. Take a water type marker and write the number 0-9 on each set. After finish, you will have 6 sets of balls with number 0 -9 in the set.

You also need 6 transparent tubes which each can host only 10 ping pong balls. The tubes should have elegant looking since it is important on presentational aspect.

Finally, put a wet tissue at your right pant pocket.

Method:

'I think everyone of us should have bought the lottery ticket for at least 1 or 2 times in the past. But how many of you have ever seen lottery draw in live? I mean in real live. Today let's play a game of lottery and see how lucky we are.' You show a board on the stage. Use the fairest method to choose a spectator on stage. You can play the music and ask audience to throw a big balloon ball around. The music stops and the one who holds the ball come on stage. This is a nice ice breaking moment and everyone can enjoy even the effect has not started yet!

When the volunteer is on stage, pass her 6 plastic balls and ask her to throw towards the audience. The ones who catch the ball should stand up to help you in a moment. The first audience member who stands up is asked to call out a number between 0-9. He names a number and then is invited on stage to help. The called number is written largely on the board to let everyone see. The second spectator is chosen with the same procedure and a second digit is named. It is repeated until 6 digits are called and they are combined into a 6-digit number which is totally random. The spectators are chosen one by one because it helps you to remember which numbers the spectators have called. And you actually position them in order on stage (say left to right) so that the picture is more clear to you and the audience. What's more, this gives time to your assistant to do the secret maneuver.

The assistant is doing the secret work when the numbers are called. In back stage, when the first number is named, the assistant write the called number on the backs (opposite side to the previously written numbers) with an oil marker on the first set. As a matter of fact, the oil market should write the same color and width as the water-type marker. The balls are put into the first transparent tube with the number 0-9 facing up. After 6 numbers are nominated, you should have 6 sets of double-number balls in 6 tubes, which are arranged in order on the tray.

'Because it is almost a real lottery, we need a very high security and strict inspection.' As you are saying, your assistant takes out the tray with the tubes and 6 non-transparent bags (you can use any type but please avoid plastic bags which are cheap looking). The assistant leaves once the stuffs are put on the table. As you can see, no one will ever suspect the appearance of an assistant here since this effect is supposed to be grand.

Pass the bags to spectators and have the bags inspected. Take the first tube and walk to the first spectator. Open the tube, 'as you know, every lottery use the highest security process to ensure that each ball is safe before the draw. Each ball bears a single digit from 0-9. Please open the bag and we will put the balls into the bag.' You ask spectator to open the bag for you because he has no hand to touch the ball at this moment. Under this situation, your help is necessary and it will look very natural. Take each ball and put it in the bag. But when your hand just enters the bag, your right thumb rubs away the digit 0-9 on each ball. Since the digits are written in water type marker on water-proof sealer, they can be easily removed. This leaves you all the balls with the force number which is named randomly by the first spectator.

'Please shake the bag as loudly as you can so that the balls are genuinely mixed. But don't shake it too hardly, they are just ping pong…' This usually generates a laugh. You put your right hand into the right pant pocket to remove the dirt on your thumb with the wet tissue. 'Keep on shaking', as the first spectator is still shaking the bag, you go to the second spectator to repeat the same procedure. This sequence allows less dead time during the effect when you are putting the balls into the tube, and it is fun to watch the spectator shaking the bag hardly when you are doing other thing. This is entertaining to the audience.

When you almost finished putting the ping pong balls into second spectator's bag, turn to the first spectator and ask him to draw out a ball. He is to call out the number written on the ball loudly. Surprisingly, it is the same number called by him a moment ago. Instruct the very first spectator (the one who chooses these 6 spectators) to write down the drawn number below the 6-digit number on the board. This gives a better visual comparison to audience.

Continue putting the remaining balls (you should leave only few balls here) into the second spectator's bag. This strategy allows a more efficient use of time in order to shorten the interval between each drawn number. This increases the overall impression of the effect because the tension is kept.

Repeat the same procedure until six balls are drawn. It is astonishing to find that the numbers match the previous lottery number under this test condition!

Fine Points:

1. Instead of ping pong balls, small wooden balls can be used. Choose those ones with a looking like lottery balls and have weights. Wood type is better because this generates sound which can be heard by other audience. This enhances the psychological perception of mixing the balls.

2. When showing the balls before putting them into the bag, you can casually take out a ball and show it around. The force number is covered by the thumb and thus it looks clean. But don't over do if it is not necessary. Proving the obvious too much is indeed destroying the conviction.

3. For the design of the tubes, you have to ensure that the balls can be taken out easily without fumbling. Otherwise the ball may accidentally turn over and reveal the hidden force number.

4. When the balls are put into the bag, make sure you drop the balls once you finish the secret work. It is very unnatural for anyone to put a ball into the bag carefully. Make sure the action is unplanned.

5. You can roll up the sleeves before putting the balls into the bag. This proves that you are hiding nothing and it looks fairer to audience.

6. To maximize the effect, make sure you never touch the balls even after it is taken out and called out by spectators. The strength of this effect is that you never come close to the balls and the works are almost done by spectators. And it is important that you make sure every spectator should have their job on the stage to avoid their boring faces if you ask them to wait too long.

PS: I think I should introduce myself here. I am a 25 years old menalist/cardician hobbyist from Hong Kong. I have been learning magic for 8 years and only started created my stuffs 4 years ago. Usually I spend 3-6 hors a day on practise and creating. I perform for private party and corporates sometimes. And I have just finished a lecture for JCMA (Japan Close-Up Magician Association) in Jan and am planning to release a book on card magic next year. This work has been planning for 3 years. I am living in Japan right now. Finally, I would like to reserver the marketing rights on this item though the readers are free to use this routine. Thank you.