PLAYING CARD PROPOSITION What your friends think they see:
What really happens:
They assume a simple and honest game where you each remove cards until there is a winner.
You have a secret mathematical strategy that makes it impossible for them to win.
Begin with a complete deck of 52 cards. Have it shuffled and cut by your victim. When they are done spread the deck on the table as seen in the photo, spread it all over the table in a messy and sloppy display. It is even better to have all the cards in a random face-up and face-down mess as seen in the photo.
they remove their number of cards it will be your turn. You must remove a number that would make the total of both your cards equal seven. So, if they took three you will then remove four because 3+4=7. There will now be 42 cards left on the table, which is a multiple of seven.
You then explain the game with a demonstration. Remove three cards from different parts of the deck as seen in the photo (which will leave 49 left on the table), as you do that you explain that each of you will have to take turns removing one to six cards at a time and the person who ends up removing the last remaining cards wins. Photo 1
You let your victim remove any amount up to six and have them remove them from different parts of the deck. Once
Here is a simple list of what you must take for every possibility. (Although I am sure all of you can count to seven and will not need this!) If they take 1, you take 6 (1+6=7) If they take 2, you take 5 (2+5=7) If they take 3, you take 4 (3+4=7) If they take 4, you take 3 (4+3=7) If they take 5, you take 2 (5+2=7) If they take 6, you take 1 (6+1=7) You will then continue with the exact same sequence. Each time they remove cards, you remove the appropriate number that would equal seven. As you keep doing this the total number of cards will keep getting smaller. From 42 to 35 to 28 to 21 to 14 and finally to seven. Once the total reaches seven and it is their turn to remove 1-6 cards, they automatically lost‌ leaving all the remaining cards for you. I like to mix up the cards a few times during the game which adds a level of confusion and can eliminate any suspicion of math being used because of the seeming chaos of the cards. A real con artist would play this game a few times and purposely lose as he would compliment their victim on their expert play. After the few losses, he would suggest playing for money—a lot of money! R
Meir Yedid is an award-winning magician and writer. He is also the CEO of MyMagic and Gambling Incorporated. You can reach him at MeirYedid.com
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