The PAO System Explained: How to Create

The PAO System Explained: How to Create Your Person-Action-Object Deck

For those entering the advanced stages of memory competitions, particularly for events like Speed Cards and Numbers, the Person-Action-Object (PAO) System is the ultimate game-changer. While the Major System is a fantastic tool for single-digit or two-digit images, the PAO System takes efficiency to a new level. It allows you to memorize three pieces of information with a single mental image, dramatically increasing your speed and reducing the number of locations you need in your Memory Palace. This guide will demystify the PAO System and provide a practical, step-by-step blueprint for creating your own personalized deck.

The PAO System is an elegant evolution of other mnemonic techniques. It leverages the brain’s preference for narrative and action. Instead of memorizing a long chain of static images, you create a dynamic, single scene that combines a Person, an Action, and an Object. This allows you to encode six digits or three playing cards at a time, making it the standard for world-class memory athletes. Building your PAO deck is a significant project, but it is the most crucial step you can take to become a top-tier competitor.

The Core Principle: A Three-in-One System

The PAO System is an extension of the Major System. Instead of assigning a single image to a number (e.g., 32 = “man”), you assign three distinct elements to each number or playing card: a Person, an Action, and an Object. The magic happens when you encounter a sequence of three cards or three number pairs. You combine the Person from the first, the Action from the second, and the Object from the third to create one, single, highly memorable image that you place in one location in your Memory Palace.

For example:

Let’s say your system for the number 32 is Person: Mike (as in Mike Tyson), Action: dancing, Object: a microphone.

And your system for 14 is Person: a driver, Action: juggling, Object: a car.

And your system for 88 is Person: an elephant, Action: painting, Object: a large canvas.

To memorize the number sequence 32-14-88, you would take:

• The Person from 32 (Mike Tyson)
• The Action from 14 (juggling)
• The Object from 88 (a large canvas)

Your final, composite image would be: Mike Tyson juggling a large canvas. This single, bizarre image is what you place in one location in your Memory Palace. This is a huge leap in efficiency, as you are now memorizing six digits (or three playing cards) with a single image.

Step 1: Create Your List (100 or 52)

The first and most time-consuming step is to create your personalized list. You have two main options:

1. Numbers (00-99): Create a list of 100 unique Person-Action-Object combinations for every number from 00 to 99. This is the standard for most number-related events. You can use your Major System knowledge to help you with the initial associations. For example, for the number 32 (M-N), your person could be Michael Night (from Knight Rider).
2. Cards (52): Create a list of 52 unique Person-Action-Object combinations, one for each card in a standard deck. This is essential for the Speed Cards event. The most common way to do this is to assign a number to each card. For example, all Clubs could be 1-13, all Spades 14-26, etc.

Tips for Creating Your Lists:

• Be Personal: Use people you know, celebrities, historical figures, and fictional characters that you can visualize easily.
• Be Consistent: Try to make sure each Person has a logical Action and Object, even if it’s a bit of a stretch.
• Be Unique: Make sure your People, Actions, and Objects do not overlap. For example, if “running” is an action, it shouldn’t also be an object in your list. The distinctiveness of each element is what prevents confusion.
• Be Bizarre: The crazier the combination, the easier it will be to remember.

Step 2: Practice and Memorize Your System

Your PAO system is useless if you have to stop and think about the Person, Action, and Object for each number or card. The goal is to make these associations instantaneous, a process known as “automaticity.”

• Flashcards: Create physical or digital flashcards with the number/card on one side and the PAO combination on the other. Drill with these until the recall is immediate.
• Daily Review: Spend 5-10 minutes each day simply reviewing sections of your list. You can do this on your commute or during a break. The more you review, the faster the recall will become.
• Use Spaced Repetition: Apps like Anki are excellent for this. They use an algorithm to show you the cards you are struggling with more frequently, ensuring that your entire PAO deck is transferred from short-term to long-term memory with maximum efficiency.

Step 3: Put It All Together with Your Memory Palace

Once you have your system built and memorized, it’s time to put it all into practice.

1. Choose Your Palace: Select a Memory Palace with enough locations to handle the task. For a deck of cards (52 cards), you will need 18 locations (52/3 = 17, with one location for the remaining card). For a long number string, you will need a palace with hundreds of locations.
2. Practice Encoding: Get a random number generator or a shuffled deck of cards. Take the numbers/cards in chunks of three. For each chunk, identify the PAO components and create a single, vivid mental image.
3. Place the Image: Immediately place that composite image in the next available location in your Memory Palace. To make the images even more memorable, ensure there is a natural “flow” or interaction between the images in consecutive locations. For example, the object in the first locus could be interacting with the person in the next locus.
4. Recall: After you’ve placed all the images, take a mental walk through your palace, retrieve each image, and decode it back into the original numbers or cards.

Final Thoughts: The PAO System and The Art of Memory

Creating a PAO system is a major undertaking, but it is a necessary one for anyone serious about memory competitions. It is a testament to the idea that memory is a skill that can be systematically built and refined. The PAO System is not a trick; it is a highly efficient language for your brain, transforming abstract data into a personal and unforgettable story. By mastering it, you are not just learning to remember more; you are building a powerful cognitive tool that will serve you for life.

Common FAQ

1. Why do I need a PAO system if I already have the Major System?
   The PAO System is a more efficient and faster method for high-speed events. It allows you to encode three pieces of information (six digits or three cards) into a single image, whereas the Major System typically handles one or two pieces of information per image.
2. Can I use the PAO system for numbers and cards?
   Yes, you can use the same PAO deck for both. You would simply map your deck of cards to a number system (e.g., King of Spades = 13) and use the same PAO combinations for both.
3. How long does it take to build a good PAO system?
   Building and memorizing a full PAO deck of 100 combinations can take weeks or even months of consistent work. It is a long-term project that requires dedication.
4. What if my PAO images are getting confused?
   If your PAO images are getting confused, it often means your Person, Action, or Object lists are not unique enough. Refine your lists to ensure there is no overlap and that each component is distinct.
5. Is it normal for a beginner to feel slow and overwhelmed by the PAO system?
   Yes, it is completely normal. The PAO system is a significant step up in complexity from the Major System. The initial learning phase can feel slow, but with consistent practice, the process will become smooth and fast.
6. Can I use the same person with different actions or objects?
   No. In a standard PAO system, each number/card corresponds to a unique triplet of Person, Action, and Object. Using the same person for different numbers would lead to confusion and errors during high-speed recall.
7. What if my PAO system is not working for me?
   If your system isn’t clicking, it’s often due to the personal associations. Take a step back and change the images that aren’t working. The most effective systems are personal and intuitive, so feel free to make changes as you go.
8. How do I memorize the 100 PAO combinations?
   The best way is through consistent, spaced repetition. Don’t try to memorize them all at once. Break the deck into smaller, manageable chunks (e.g., 10 per day) and drill them until recall is automatic before moving on.
9. What are some common mistakes when building a PAO deck?
   A common mistake is making the lists too similar, leading to confusion. For example, using “running” as an action for one number and a “runner” as a person for another. Another is not making the images dynamic and interactive enough.
10. Does a PAO system work for other memory events?
    Yes. While it’s primarily used for numbers and cards, the same principle can be applied to other events. For example, in a “Words” event, you could create a PAO for each word, using the sound or meaning of the word to derive the Person-Action-Object.