Paul Craven is more than the chief of Pacific Investment Management Co. in London. He is also a member of the Magic Circle. The article recounts the "grueling audition" process during which 16 members evaluated his style, ability, and entertainment value. The article describes one of the four effects Mr. Craven performed during the audition: In one trick, Mr. Craven said, the audience is asked to select three cards from a full deck, each numbered randomly from 1 to 52 on the back.

The three cards are placed on a table face up, next to a photograph thats sealed in an envelope.

Mr. Craven then opens the envelope and reveals a photograph depicting his three children, each holding a number identical to those on the back of the cards selected by the audience.

We would love to know more about this effect. From the description, it could be just about anything. Frequently, news articles about magicians track descriptions from lay fans.

"He (the magician) took a quarter and then shoved it into this little girl's head -- I think through her ear -- and while it was in her brain, the spectator marked it with her initials and then when it came out of the other ear it was a nickel but it had the marking on it.

"I think I know how he did it.

"I think the little girl had a nickel in her other ear and when the magician asked the spectator to initial it, he already knew what the spectators initials would be so he put that on the nickel so it would like it was the same mark that she put on the quarter.

"But because the nickel is smaller, the mark had to be smaller too so it was okay if the initials didn't look exactly alike.

"Still, it was a pretty good trick. I have to admit it had me fooled until I thought it out with logic."

Usually, they pause a bit and then ask, "Do you know how he did that one?"

So, if Mr. Craven had the three cards selected purely by random choice, his effect rocks.

Even if he gave less than a free choice, we love the way the prediction is revealed. Very cool idea. Mr. Craven became goofy, in-love with magic after meeting Peter Mehtab six years ago. Mr. Mehtab is also a member of the Magic Circle and a top working professional.

What does he enjoy the most?

"I like about magic is that at least for a brief period of time, you get a chance to turn grown adults into wide-eyed children," he said. The article also notes that Prince Charles is a member of The Magic Circle. We did not know that until today; although we knew there was a reason we liked the guy so much.

- Provided by InsideMagic