Bamboozlers: Ten of Spades

A mathematical brain-teaser for card enthusiasts.

The Bet:

Lay out the Ace through ten in four rows so that each row equals 18.

 

The Secret:

See Figure 1.
You can show them how the cards will be laid out by putting the cards face-down in the above sequence in a random order. Or you could just hand them the packet of cards and allow them to figure out how the rows are to be formed. If you don’t have a deck of cards handy, then simply write the numbers one through ten onto the back of some pieces of paper, sugar packets or paper coasters in a restaurant.

When they give you a hard time for not playing with a full deck, tell them that you can’t help it because you were born that way.

For more commercial magic and puzzles from Diamond Jim Tyler visit his online Magic Shop!