American University’s Professor knows how to control minds.

Professor Barry Gordemer guessing the first group's card. 

Oct.2, 2014 (Photo by Jaclyn Merica)

Thursday afternoon American University Professor Barry Gordemer known as “The Sort of Amazing Barry” performed a magic trick that “read” the students’ minds. The trick is called “Mental Poker.” Barry says, “The mechanics of the trick are very simple” yet left the students mesmerized.

It started when Barry brought out a set of cards and divided the classroom into five groups. Gave each group five different cards and told each group to select a card without saying anything. Barry showed the first group the set of five cards and told them to look at the card they had picked. In less than one minute Barry had already guessed the card the group had chosen. The classroom was in shock. Participant Hanya said, “I was in awe, but I believed he was not going to be able to guess all of the cards.” So then came the second group, and again within 30 seconds Barry guessed the card. Then the third group came and Barry started taking his time. The classroom remained quiet.

Within seconds he told the group to give him more time that he would come back to them. Jaclyn said, “This is it, the “Sort of Amazing Barry” did not pull off the magic trick.” Then the fourth and the fifth group came and Barry guessed their cards. All of a sudden Barry gives the third group an envelope and told them to open it. When one participant of the third group opened it, it was the card they had chosen at the beginning “Ahhh, Ace of Clubs.” Participant Hanya said, “I was expecting a puppet show, not a mind reading magic trick.”

Professor Gordemer left the class in shock.  

“As adults we are not supposed to believe in magic, but when the magic trick happens there is a nanosecond that makes the audience believe it is real,” said Barry.