In 2004, a gentleman named Deddy Corbuzier released a concept called Free Will. The concept is that a spectator is given three objects from which they are to make three unrestricted decisions. They will make a choice as to which object they will put in their pocket, which object will be given to the performer to hold and which they will hold themselves. After making all three unrestricted choices and even given a chance to change their mind, a prediction is read which reveals that the same very three decisions were predicted and predetermined.

Not unexpectedly, since the original release of Free Will multiple variations have been developed. These variations are of course minor tweaks to the original concept, some for the better and some for the worse. The props used cannot really be called props in themselves since the routine will typically use ordinary objects readily available. Objects such as bills (money), cards (business and credit), coins, pens, phones, keys, and wallets, all of which are accumulated at a moment’s notice. The revelation relies on the ambiguous nature of the prediction itself. By using the pronouns, I and You, the result of the prediction changes depending on who reads the prediction. For example, if the prediction is as follows, it is clear the location of the held objects’ changes depending on who reads the revelation.

Pocket has card
I have the coin
You have the bill

Although a great concept it does require some mental agility and psychological forcing to make it work. There had to be a better, less complicated way. The solution came in a simple gimmick designed by Steve Haynes and produced by Paul Harris called Fair Play. Fair Play is a revelation encased in a key chain fob. Written on a small piece of notepad, sandwiched in plastic is the prediction. Fair Play reduced the brain work to a minimum but still packed the same punch. Once the objects and locations are decided by the spectator, all that is needed to do it to remove the encased prediction from its holder and depending on conditions be read by the spectator or performer. Fair Play is an incredibly well made, easy to do routine which now reduces the complexity of the original to almost no thinking, and that’s a good thing. If you would like to explore the Free Will concept but are worried about the required mental gymnastics Fair Play by Paul Harris Productions is the way to go.

To watch a trailer on Fair Play at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njN_pVg7wQE