Sucker Trick

[soroban]

Use any 9 cards from a deck.
All the cards will be dealt face up.

A "deal" consists of the following:

Deal the first 3 cards a row.
Deal the next 3 cards on top of them.
Jog them down a bit so we can still read the first 3 cards.

Deal the last 3 cards on top of them.
Again, jog them down a bit.


"Deal" the nine cards.
Ask the volunteer to select any card mentally.
Have him tell you which group contains his card.

Apparently, you pick up the groups at random.
But you place his group between the other two.

"Deal" the cards again.
Ask him which group contains his card.
Again, place his group between the other two.

Hold the deck face down.
Now deal the cards face up in a 3-by-3 array.
. . \(\displaystyle \begin{array}{ccc} 1&2&3 \\ 4&5&6\\ 7&8 \end{array}\)

When you get to the ninth card stop,
hold that card meaningfully and say,
"I bet the next card I turn over is your card."

Actually, his card is in position #5.
When he takes the bet, turn card #5 face down.


Warning: After your announcement, the victim may
. . laugh, say you're wrong, and point to his card,
. . thereby spoiling your trick.

If he says anything other than "Okay" to your challenge,
immediately interrupt him with "Is it a bet? .Yes or no?"

 

[soroban]

This is a variation of a trick I learned as a child.
It usually involves 15, 21 or 27 cards.
It was probably my introduction to Magic
and I have fond memories of that time.

As an adult, I find that the trick was too slow.
My volunteers grew weary of all that dealing
and deduced that the trick was mathematical
and automatic. .They were underwhelmed.

My 9-card version is faster and neater.

I have them pick any 9 cards from a deck
\(\displaystyle \quad\)and spread them face up on the table.

I ask them to select any card mentally.

I push the cards into three groups of three.
I ask them which group contains their card.

Then I place their group between the other two.

I deal them singly face down into three piles.

I pick up and fan each pile toward them,
\(\displaystyle \quad\)asking if they see their card.

When they say "yes", their chosen card
\(\displaystyle \quad\) is the middle card of that group.

Now you can use your favorite method
\(\displaystyle \quad\)for revealing their card.