:: EFFECT ::

Pull out your watch and ask someone to think of any two numbers on its face, provided they are opposite to each other on the dial. Ask him to add them together and give you the total. Immediately you name the 2 numbers and proceed to repeat the effect again with someone else.

Now pause and explain that probably several have figured it out. There are only a few possible combinations and it might be surmised that you have memorized their totals, etc. But you now offer to show something more difficult.

This time a spectator chooses (mentally) another pair and SUBTRACTS the smaller figure from the larger. HE KEEPS THE RESULT TO HIMSELF. After due concentration and build-up, you tell him the correct answer!

:: METHOD ::

The first part is quite easy. There are only 6 pairs, with totals running 8–10–12–14–16–18 (counting around the dial beginning with 1). When the spectator gives you the total, merely count around the dial (by two’s) until you hit the total.

The reason for repeating this first part the second time is to produce the impression that for each pair there is a DIFFERENT total! The success of the trick depends almost entirely upon this psychological suggestion that different pairs give different totals. For if the results are different when added—they certainly should be different when subtracted (he unconsciously assumes!).

Actually—when any pair is subtracted, the result is ALWAYS 6! And before divining the “6” by telepathy, casually put your watch away so that he will have no immediate chance to experiment with the figures.

It’s a nice stunt to work in connection with the old watch mindreading effect in which you tap the figures with a pencil and stop on the correct hour. This has been published many times and makes a nice companion.