Cold Reading

actorcoop · **Joined:** 16 Sep 2004 **Posts:** 57

Hey fellow Mentalists!

I thought I'd start a topic on cold reading...
I recently discovered the concept and thought it would be a good idea to discuss it. I usually perform swami stuff and billet effects, but, I see the amazing potential this could have. I would like to start by asking a few questions.

What is the best 'motif' of a cold reading? (i.e. a dead contact, a childhood memory, personality traits etc...) Also, which gets the best reactions?

NEXT, what product is good for extending your learning on the subject?

I'm open to stories and experiences of Your cold reading routines too!

Please feel free to post some of your favortie or most useful phrases during a cold reading!!!

EmeraldOne · **Joined:** 02 Sep 2007 **Posts:** 140

Like any routine, a cold read must be somewhat tailored to the audience you have. Are you playing to an old woman who misses her dead hubby? Go for the dead contact. Otherwise consider something else. Combine the cold read with 20 Questions, and you are on velvet.

actorcoop · **Joined:** 16 Sep 2004 **Posts:** 57

Thanks for the tip! I defintely agree with you. Know your audience is KEY. I think with any mentalism in general... even with magic tricks too... :wink:

povallsky · **Posted:** Thu Sep 13, 2007 4:48 am

Personally, I use the Completely Cold system as laid out by Kenton Knepper. Utterly fantastic. Defo recommended.

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baggins321 · **Joined:** 19 Jan 2007 **Posts:** 48

Ian Rowland's Full Facts of Cold Reading. Derren Brown uses his material among others, and highly recommends it.

brucelee2 · **Joined:** 14 Jan 2007 **Posts:** 823

Quote:

Personally, I use the Completely Cold system as laid out by Kenton Knepper. Utterly fantastic. Defo recommended.

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Where is the system contained?

Brucelee

povallsky · **Posted:** Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:45 pm

In the manuscript of the same name:

World of Magic link

Shouldn't be too hard to find I don't think.

Enjoy.

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actorcoop · **Joined:** 16 Sep 2004 **Posts:** 57

What is Completely Cold?
A technique or an actual system? (Like system 88 sorta?)

kc62301 · **Joined:** 21 Oct 2007 **Posts:** 2

Completely Cold is the name of a book by Kenton Knepper. In the book, he describes a system for cold reading. It would be unfair to talk about the system in detail as the book is still a commercial product.

In fact, it's difficult to talk about cold reading at all without giving away secrets. Cold reading is an illusion of psychic abilities based purely on the use of language. Talking about the language used *is* talking about the secrets.

If you really want to learn cold reading, three books will give you everything you need to know:
(1) The Full Facts Book of Cold Reading, by Ian Rowland
(2) Completely Cold, by Kenton Knepper
(3) Wonder Readings, by Kenton Knepper and Rex Steven Sikes

Good luck.

Cold Reading

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