Predict the outcome of a gambling game with 100% accuracy.
The magician offers to play a gambling game. He brings out two envelopes and removes three coins from one of them. Two spectators (S1 and S2) select one coin each. The magician gives the other envelope – which contains a prediction – to a third spectator (S3).
Then, from a packet of blue-backed and red-backed cards, S3 chooses a Secret Card that is put onto the prediction. The remainder is dealt to make up the board on which the coins will move along to select a card (one card equals one square).
The rules are simple: The spectator whose card is the closest in value to the Secret Card wins the two coins. But if the magician was able to predict the outcome, he gets the coins back.
S1 and S2 select a different number and start counting from any outer square/card. The two selections are turned face up. Let's say S1 ends up with a 2€ coin on a blue-backed 5 and S2 ends up with a 50c coin on a red-backed 10. The Secret Card is revealed to be a 7. S1 wins with a 2€ coin on a red-backed card, off by two.
The prediction is removed from the envelope. It reads:
2€ WINS – RED BACK – OFF BY TWO
Phew! The magician wins the game and can keep the money.
The coins are freely selected, no equivoque. No gimmick. All the props are ordinary. Easy to do.
