#3 Prediction Card Trick

Prepare three piles of cards:

Pile 1: Three cards (any cards)

Pile 2: Four 3's (from all 4 suits)

Pile 3: Five cards (any cards)

Put all these cards together IN THIS ORDER at the top of a deck to create the illusion that you are going to be randomly taking them off the top though they will have been prearranged (Note 1). 

Now tell your subject that you will use your magical psychic powers to predict which pile the volunteer will pick because your psychic powers are so strong. In fact, you're so good that you will write down your prediction ahead of time (stated as dramatically as possible). Without allowing the volunteer to see what you are doing, write down the number 3 on a large sheet of paper, fold it up, and then turn to the task at hand. Instruct the volunteer to think of a number and really concentrate. Close your eyes and pretend to be "sensing" what the volunteer is thinking. Then instruct the volunteer to point at the pile she or he has chosen. After pointing to any of the piles, say, "Yes, that is what I predicted! I have written down the number 3!!"

You have no chance of being wrong. Pile #1 had 3 cards, Pile #2 has all 3s, and the third pile is "Pile #3." Obviously, you don't reveal what your plan was or the effect will be spoiled.

Note 1: To get all the threes you could first overtly gather them to perform Dr. Daily's Last Trick. After the performance, put the threes on the top of the deck and shuffle on top three more cards, then throw the rest behind. Now you're ready to go.