Try the following with a deck of cards. Always shuffle the cards
first. Next, pick a number from one to ten. That number begins your
first count. Now, holding the pack face down, deal one card after
another face up onto a pile in front of you until you have turned over
the number of cards in your count. When you turn over the last card of
one count, that card gives you the number for your next count. Repeat
this until you reach the end of the deck. If the last card of one
count is a face card (Jack, Queen, or King) your next count is five.
For an Ace, your next count is one. For all the other cards your count
is the same as the value of the card. The suits don’t matter. This
tests your ability to understand and follow directions. Not everyone
is expected to pass.
You’re still with me? Great! Let’s imagine an example. Suppose,
after shuffling the cards, you picked the number eight. Now you begin
by turning over eight cards. Let’s say the eighth card you turn over
is an Ace. Your next count would be one. Now you turn over just one
card and that card gives you your next count. Let’s say it’s a Jack.
It’s a face card, so your next count is five. Now, you turn over five
more cards to get your next count, and so on.
Eventually you’ll run out of cards. You can forget your original
number and all the intermediate counts, but don’t forget the number
that starts your final count. If there are any extra cards, forget
them too. If you complete a count, the last card turned over in that
count is your next count. If you can’t complete a count then
the number that started it is your final count. That’s your
magic number. If the very last card in the deck coincides with
the completion of a count, that last card gives you your
final count and your magic number.
Now you are ready for the tricky part. You need a partner sitting
across from you. Show your partner how to count through the cards and
get their own magic number (let them read these directions). It
doesn’t matter who turns over the cards, but when your partner is
ready, you both need to count through the same cards together. Shuffle
the cards, pick your own starting numbers, and turn over the cards
about one per second so that you both get a good look at them. Don’t
tell each other your starting numbers, and count silently so that you
both get your own magic numbers at the end. Then, show your partner
your magic number by holding it up on your fingers.
You actually have to do this with a partner to get the full effect.
When you’ve done it once, try it again. Don’t forget to shuffle the
cards each time!
My question is, who is tricking whom? Does your partner know
something you don’t know?
April Fool !
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