HUMINT

by

$18

The Blurb

Interrogators prize two skills above all others: the ability to detect lies, and the talent to identify the truth that lies behind them. HUMINT holds the secret to developing these amazing skills… or so it seems!

HUMINT is a powerful prop, bundled in with an incredible method. The core prop is a 30mm brass finish coin, beautifully designed and manufactured – one side bears the legend Tell A LIE, the other side says Tell The TRUTH. The coin is intended to be integrated seamlessly with any Truth or Lie routine, providing a strong focus to the audience members and creating a logical context.

The routine that is bundled details a cut-down version of 20 questions used by trainee interrogators to learn to tell truth from lie. The punters write down ANY object on the surface of the Earth, and you explain the rules – you will ask a series of questions, and with each question they are to think of the real answer, then flip the coin. If it lands Truth side up, they give you the real answer — if it lands LIE side up, they give you a convincing lie instead. The questions are fun, and fast, and after only three or four you are able to reveal the truth of what they are thinking.

Packed in with the coin are blank cards and a band to practice the method, as well as a download link to a PDF explanation and video of the simple, sleightless, gimmickless and structurally-invisible method.

Jheff's Guide

WHAT IT IS:
Effect with Props

HOW ACCURATE OR COMPLETE THE BLURB IS:
The ad seems to indicate that the coin is the key to this.  It’s not.  You’re really buying a technique that allows the performer to know what’s written on the card.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED THAT YOU NEED OR NEED TO KNOW:
You do need to supply your own business cards or blank cards.

SUITABLE VENUES:
Close-up, Walkaround

JHEFF’S JUDGMENT:
The technique for learning the information written down is a clever and deceptive one and I can see why Phil Smiff claims to be exclusively using this impromptu technique which requires no extra props or preparation.  The price on the entire package, which includes the coin and practice cards to get you started, is definitely underpriced and that, of course, means that I definitely recommend looking into this.