Dream Lock by Alan Wong - Trick

Picture this: a borrowed ring is snugly locked onto a shiny 4-digit brass combination lock. You mix up the dials (because that’s just what magicians do), and the spectator can hold the lock while you twist and turn. They can even have a go at opening it, and guess what? It won’t budge. Now, here’s the fun part: the spectator thinks of any 4-digit number and enters it herself. Spoiler alert: that number magically opens the lock! And yes, they get their ring back—no funny business here.

No need to force them into naming their birth year, anniversary, or the number of times they’ve watched Love Actually (although that one's a classic). You’ve got options:

• Ask the spectator to name ANY 4-digit number (yes, even if it’s a bit silly).
• Project a secret 4-digit number into their mind and watch them name it (you'll feel like a wizard).
• Have four different people each name a number to create a 4-digit combo. Trust me, it’s a showstopper!

Whatever numbers they throw out there, they set the dials and open the lock themselves! How’s that for a bit of magic?

Alan Wong:
"I remembered my fascination when I saw the effect of a combination lock that opened on my year of birth. Later I came to notice an enhanced version that opens only on the month and day of your birthday. This further enhanced my interest and become a dream to develop a stronger effect with the combination lock possibilities where you are not limited to dates and years but open with any numbers named without any force and presetting work. After more than a year's work, I am pleased to present you here my idea realized of such desired effect, the Dream Lock.

Important points:

• Work is pure mechanical, nothing will break.
• Nothing to add or take away.
• No electronic parts, no remote control.
• No magnets, no PK rings.
• No threads, no wires.
• No buttons, no switches.
• No gravity switch, no directional limit.
• No timers.
• No years, no birthdays (but you can use those if you fancy).
• Lock can be in the spectator's hand from the start to the finish of the performance.
• Reset in 2 seconds, right under the nose of a spectator.
• Any 4-digit number can be named. Absolutely no force.
• Remember this: Spectators set the chosen numbers on the lock. They open it themselves!