talkmagic.co.uk

If anybody knows the name / originator of this effect, it would be much appreciated - it's been bugging me... I believe it may be from an American mathematician/magician (mathemagician?).

Deck (can be borrowed) is shuffled by the spec, who is then asked to select 2 cards by free choice and place them face up in front of them - and then add a 3rd unknown face down card next to them. Actual card values are not important, only the colours will be used in this routine.

Magi then does the same, leaving the situation with 2 sets of 3 cards - each with 2 face up cards and 1 face down card.

Face down cards are turned over, to reveal the colour sequences - for example, spec has RED-RED-BLACK and the magic has BLACK-BLACK-RED.

The remainder of the deck is dealt in sets of 3 - if the colour sequence matches that of the spec, they "win"... and the magi "wins" if it matches his. Basic premise is that the magi always wins.


Thanks!
G

I'm not certain but that sounds by the description to be 'Penney Paradox' by Nick Trost. This was based on a mathematical principle discovered by Walter Penney.

You will find this effect in the book, 'The Card Magic of Nick Trost' released through L&L publishing.

It's possible this routine was released in earlier publications by Nick Trost which you may find will be a lot cheaper to buy than the rather large volume I mentioned above.

Yes, the Penny Paradox is done with heads or tails.

I'm /pretty/ sure the Red/Black ting was done on a TV show in recent years, maybe one of Derren Browns shows.

Rob

As a note, the magician will not /always/ win, but you always have a higher change of winning, usually very much higher.

Lots of info n the principle here:-

http://plus.maths.org/content/os/issue5 ... yama/index

Rob

Thankyou Pickman and Rob - this definitely looks like it. I've ordered the book, so will know shortly!

Cheers,
G

That's a great book, no knuckle breakers but some really strong stuff. I really liked the ESP card chapter and there are also some of Nick's marketed effects included as well as some previously unpublished stuff.

I don't think you will be disappointed.

Just wanted to conclude this thread - the book arrived this morning, and the routine in question is indeed Penney Paradox... thanks again Pickman!

You're welcome Grant, I think you'll enjoy reading through that, it's something of a treasure trove