It is essential that a mentalist’s props look as natural and inconspicuous as possible. After all, the idea is that a mentalist doesn’t use props, and if he must use them, they should resemble everyday objects. The clipboard looks like a very ordinary piece of board with a clip. Yet it is ingeniously designed as an invaluable tool for mentalists.

The clipboard is a secret device that gives you access to anything written or drawn by a spectator and kept by them. You can have one or more spectators write a few words or numbers, or draw a simple design on a piece of paper, which is then folded and kept by them for later verification. You seemingly read their minds and reveal or reproduce the word, number, or design, which is verified by comparison with their original.

The presentation possibilities for this prop are endless. A person’s name, or that of their mother or aunt… anything you wouldn’t normally know. The number of a note in the spectator’s pocket, the amount of change in their wallet, their driver’s license or license number, or date of birth, etc., are all great presentation topics. Have someone think of an animal, bird, or object. Have them think of a place they’ve been on vacation… or a trip. A place where they’ve hidden an object (Treasure Hunt!)

For children, or an audience with a diverse range of languages, simple drawings (house, bird, chair, etc.) or geometric designs (for example, a triangle inside a circle, or a circle inside a square, etc.) would be a good option.
You could have two or three or even half a dozen spectators participate in a mind-reading routine, with each spectator writing something different.