Mike Ince – Better Returns

This compilation features some of my audience’s most cherished effects and concepts, many of which emerged through collaboration and support from friends like Sean Waters and Patrick O’Gorman, affectionately known as the Underground Kid. The title “Better Returns” reflects the idea that, much like in life, two minds can yield greater results in mentalism—unless, of course, they share the same neck, leaving audiences unsure where to focus.

Within these pages, you’ll discover a variety of parlor and stage routines, including “Einstein In My Pocket,” “Apophenial Square,” “Between Strangers,” and “Six Degrees.” Additionally, there are engaging close-up effects involving fortune cookies and playing cards, a straightforward peek technique for an ungaffed hip pocket wallet, and innovative presentation ideas to inspire your own routines. You’ll also find strategies to enhance popular effects like Osterlind’s “ODDS” and Steve Thompson’s “Glance,” provided you have those items for optimal results.

Here’s a glimpse of the contents:

Fortunate One

Effect: During a casual dining experience at a Chinese restaurant, the performer holds their hand above an ordinary, unprepared fortune cookie still in its wrapper. Gazing at a participant, the performer declares, “I foresee excitement in your future.” The participant then unwraps the cookie and discovers the fortune: “A thrilling time is in your immediate future.”

The DWRNAP Peek

Effect: A participant writes on your business card, which you then place writing-side down into your wallet. By the time you slide your wallet into your inner breast pocket, you already know what they wrote and can utilize that information as you wish. The wallet is genuine and unaltered.

Einstein in My Pocket

Effect: The right audience enjoys a lively, albeit slightly risqué, rendition of Al Koran’s “The Trick That Fooled Einstein,” culminating in a telepathic twist. Even if you find it too bold to perform, the reading experience is still enjoyable.

Changing the ODDS

“Yes, Mike… that is very, very good. That adds a lot to the effect and makes it look that much more impossible.” –Richard Osterlind

Insights on employing the “invisible compromise” of “DR” to enhance Osterlind’s drawing duplication effect, making it appear even more improbable. (Osterlind’s secrets remain undisclosed, so owning ODDS will maximize your understanding of this concept.) My gratitude extends to Mr. O.

Between Strangers

Effect: “Between Strangers” features a dual drawing duplication between two audience members who seemingly read each other’s minds. This is my interpretation of a technique that dates back to vaudeville but has been rarely published.