C.H.I.P.S.

C.H.I.P.S. is a mechanical method for mind reading that requires no batteries. It gives you a hands-off, chosen-object routine without electronics.

Created by Jasper Blakeley and brought to life by master prop maker Alan Wong, C.H.I.P.S. is a set of colorful poker chips that fits in your pocket. At a moment’s notice, you can perform a demonstration of intuition and body language.

The effect

The performer approaches a table and asks to join the group. They explain that they are good at spotting liars and ask whether the group would like them to prove it.

Five different-colored poker chips are taken from a small velvet bag and placed in a row on the table. With the performer’s back turned, the spectators each pick up one chip and hide it in a fist behind their back. The performer turns around, announces that they are looking for the blue chip, and asks each of the five people whether they have it. Each person must answer, “No.”

The performer immediately knows who has the blue chip and who is lying. The routine can be performed again and again without failure.

Originally created by Jasper more than a decade ago in various forms, C.H.I.P.S. was developed further with the help of master mentalist Peter Turner. The video instructions include multiple live performances and in-depth new ideas from both Jasper and Peter, giving you a foundation for creating your own mentalism routines once you know the method.

C.H.I.P.S. can be performed in casual social settings, stand-up cabaret, or parlour performances. It works with one, two, three, four, or five people and uses a mechanical method for a chosen-object-in-hand routine.

Bonus features include Peter Turner’s one-person, three-poker-chip “which pocket?” routine, along with a jam session featuring many additional ideas.

The custom-made props are bright, visual, and durable. C.H.I.P.S. is easy to perform, resets instantly, and requires no batteries.