For this experiment, the magician needs a spectator and the audience to think of the same playing card. Here how it goes:

From a shuffled deck of cards - and while the magician looks away, the spectator combines the value and the suit of two freely cut selections to create a playing card.

Then, he silently reveals the identity of the thought-of card to the audience by piling-up a number of cards that match its value and its suit. The rest of the deck is dropped on top.

The magician faces the audience again and cuts the deck a few times as he recalls the free choice of the spectator. After asking the spectator and the audience to think of their card alltogether, the magician spreads the faces toward himself and removes a card. Only now they reveal the name of their thought-of card: The 7 of Hearts. The magician turns his card over... It is the 7 of Hearts!

NOTE: PUBLIC THOUGHTS uses a regular deck. It includes an optional minimal set-up but most of you will be able to perform it impromptu. Any card can be thought of. Repeat the trick immediately. And best of all, not a single sleight or secret move in sight!

BONUS TRICK - OVER MAX: From a shuffled deck, a spectator cuts to two cards (in two different portions) and yet, the magician is able to locate both! This version of Max Maven/Phil Goldstein's DOUBLE OVERCUT eliminates the original full-deck setup and is basically impromptu.