Magic Tricks

This video teaches you how to do a "number prediction" style trick with a calculator app on Android and iOS smartphones. Due to the fact that it's done on a phone, it's ideal to use this with the "phone number" presentation shown. The method can be used for any number, not just your phone number. Two methods are shown, the Non-Toxic method and the Toxic method.

This method (for android) uses a calculator app. It's a real calculator that you can get in the android store. However since I already knew the Toxic method, I already had the app used in this trick.

The method for Non-Toxic is... clever to say the least. The only unfortunate problem with it is that the "move" you have to do is at the end of the sum you get the spectator to do. This is different from Toxic which the calculator is in the spectators hands at all times during the performance. This does have the advantage of letting the spectator check that it's a real calculator at the beginning (whereas with Toxic you can let them check it's real at the end).

Geraint then explains the Toxic method. His explanation meant that only a specific type of sum can be made (multiplication) he also notes that it doesn't look as clean. This is due to the fact that the full Toxic formula isn't used. If the full Toxic formula is used it looks a lot less suspicious and allows you to use the other operators (addition, subtraction, division) as well. As mentioned before, you can't have the spectator check the calculator before doing the sum but I don't see an issue with having them check the calculator after when everything is clean.

The only other issue is that Non-Toxic allows you to make mistakes whereas Toxic doesn't. Normally this type of number prediction trick would be paced so that the spectator takes their time and puts in their input correctly (I should hope!) but with the presentation, it seems that the Non-Toxic method may suit for a more quick paced scenario especially at times where a spectator may get clumsy due to drunkenness.

As for me, I think the Non-Toxic method may be a good way as an "out" for the Toxic method. Not that you should be worried that it will go wrong but it's there just in case spectators make mistakes.

Overall, I still prefer the Toxic method (which again, the one I know is different to the one taught in this instant download), but this video gives plenty of ideas on alternative ways to present a number prediction style trick.