Self-working (not) card trick
He presents a trick that anyone can do, claiming it is "math" and works automatically like some tricks do.
However, it's clear to me that the trick will not work most of the time but will work occasionally just by luck.
Most of the comments claim it works, maybe because they think they have screwed up each time it doesn't work.
I'll include a link to his defensive video and my proof that it does not always work below.
But there is an interesting math problem involved. What is the probability that it will work given a randomized deck?
(Note to find the answer you will have to impose some restraints that he doesn't mention. For example the final count has to be within the remaining cards for the fourth match. You'll see.)
Short video explaining and defending it:
Sorry, I can't post a link to the video and summarizing the procedure myself would be error prone. You can find it with the youtube title "Card Magic: More INCREDIBLE Self-Working EASY magic that ANYONE can do!"
Proof it doesn't always work, though it's intuitive enough:
From top of deck down...
Js,6s,Qh,10h,Ac,3c
(stop on 3c, write 3 and 6)
2d,8d,2h,Qd,Ks,Kd,10d,4d,5s,3h
(write 10)
5h,10s,Qs,Ad,Jh,5c,3s
(write 7)
3+6+10+7=26
4c,As,Kh,7h,6c,2s,5d,10c,Ah,9h,
Jd,8c,4h,7s,Qc,9d,9c,Jc,9s,2c,3d
(notice the fourth 3 is at position 21, NOT 26)
The remaining cards:
Kc,7c,8h,8s,6d,7d,6h,4s
(note 52 cards, all included, all unique - set them up yourself)
Have at it! I'm sure it's interesting enough and subtle enough for this bunch. And learning the answer will shed light on why so many believe it works.
The one with the title I quoted was a follow-up that repeats the trick almost identically basically defending it as working 100% after people like myself questioned it in comments. For the purpose of understanding the trick, I think both are equivalent and your link should be all that is needed.
What is the difference between a poorly-dressed person on a bicycle and a well-dressed person on a unicycle?
He's a hell of a magician, though.
EDIT: Just watched the follow-up video. He is definitely doing some kind of shuffle stacking. It's just a joke and everyone in the comments is going along with it....LOL Kind of funny.
Quote: TigerWuIt's a joke video... you can tell he's doing some kind of false/stacking shuffles and cuts at the beginning.
He's a hell of a magician, though.
EDIT: Just watched the follow-up video. He is definitely doing some kind of shuffle stacking. It's just a joke and everyone in the comments is going along with it....LOL Kind of funny.
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Well, one of the common guidelines is not giving it away.
Working out the puzzle is more fun than looking at the answer key. ;)
- Pick a value for x, approximately 20.
- Separate the four ranks of any rank of your choice.
- Separate out x-2 of the rest of the other 48 cards.
- Add two of the cards from step 2 to the stack from step 3 and mix together. Then place face up.
- Add to the top of the pile from step 4 a third card from step 2.
- Add any x cards to the top of the pile from step 5.
- Add the fourth card from step 2 to the top of the pile.
- Turn the whole pile from step 7 upside down
- Do the trick as seen in the video, pretending the rank chose in step 1 is chosen arbitrarily.
No one thinks some of the commenters are sincere and do it again and again until it works, believing they kept screwing up? (plausible imo if it works one time in ten or so)
Ok. If so, it's less interesting and frankly just kind of trashy. The guy is talented and many of his followers are bright and inquisitive like people here, so I thought there might be more to it.
I don't imagine his goal is to alienate his followers or turn his commenters into unquestioning drones, but sometimes the simplest explanation is the right one.
These two videos of "self-working" card tricks fit his persona of having a very dry sense of humor and taking the piss out of people who doubt his abilities. He is definitely showing off here and getting his followers and fans in on the joke. I honestly don't care much for his "style" but there is no doubt he's an amazing card mechanic.
The comments in the video really take it too far in screwing with the audience. I think I'm going to leave a comment in the video explaining how it's really done.
So perhaps he is just moderating out all those comments who say the truth, or doing something abusive like reporting them as spam or something to youtube. Not being a YouTube publisher I don't know how hard or easy it would be to delete all comments you don't like.
Quote: TigerWuI've seen several of this guy's videos before. He's an insanely talented magician, and a common thread among a lot of commenters on his videos is that he's cheating or doing video edits or whatever. He is known for doing a lot of "debunking" videos, where people have challenged him to do something to prove he's not cheating and he does it, proving it's all slight of hand. He's a very smooth talker and seems to enjoy proving his doubters wrong.
These two videos of "self-working" card tricks fit his persona of having a very dry sense of humor and taking the piss out of people who doubt his abilities. He is definitely showing off here and getting his followers and fans in on the joke. I honestly don't care much for his "style" but there is no doubt he's an amazing card mechanic.
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"Patter" is an absolutely essential part of misdirection in the performance.
I agree that not every shuffle creates a random result.
Based on the target audience - people who voluntarily watch card trick tutorial videos - I think it's a fine trick.
Quote: dcjohnMy comment proving it does not work is no longer visible. And the Wizard said he replied and that is not visible in the comments to either YouTube video either.
So perhaps he is just moderating out all those comments who say the truth, or doing something abusive like reporting them as spam or something to youtube. Not being a YouTube publisher I don't know how hard or easy it would be to delete all comments you don't like.
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My comment is still there four days after I posted it. Here it is, "I tried it three times and it failed all three. I suspect it's an prearranged deck and a very careful shuffle. Those claiming it works with a fair shuffle are audience stooges." It was in reply to this version.
Quote: Wizard
My comment is still there four days after I posted it. Here it is, "I tried it three times and it failed all three. I suspect it's an prearranged deck and a very careful shuffle. Those claiming it works with a fair shuffle are audience stooges." It was in reply to this version.
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I don't see your comment on that video.... ??
I've also noticed he has several other videos of "self-working" card tricks that are obviously card manipulation. I'm not sure what his point is in posting these videos, other than just trying to punk his viewers. Seems kind of dickish, if you ask me, but like I said earlier, I don't really care for his style.
Quote: Wizard
My comment is still there four days after I posted it. Here it is, "I tried it three times and it failed all three. I suspect it's an prearranged deck and a very careful shuffle. Those claiming it works with a fair shuffle are audience stooges." It was in reply to this version.
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It's not visible to me today on the video at the link you provided. The comment count is 24. All the visible comments are 'stooges' or neutral. I wonder if he has a way to make certain comments only visible to the person who posted it. That might be how moderation works, in order to avoid debates. ???
Quote: dcjohnIt's not visible to me today on the video at the link you provided. The comment count is 24. All the visible comments are 'stooges' or neutral. I wonder if he has a way to make certain comments only visible to the person who posted it. That might be how moderation works, in order to avoid debates. ???
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Currently, it's the second most recent comment on this video. My YouTube name is TheOddsMustBeCrazy.
My newsletter for tomorrow is about that video.
I don't see your comment either. If I click on show more replies,only comment is by Abdullah asking if we should use the joker's. Don't know much about YouTube policies either,but some seems to be going on that is deceptive besides the card trick. 24 comments in total also
how do I subscribe to your newsletter? Any charge for it?Quote: WizardQuote: dcjohnIt's not visible to me today on the video at the link you provided. The comment count is 24. All the visible comments are 'stooges' or neutral. I wonder if he has a way to make certain comments only visible to the person who posted it. That might be how moderation works, in order to avoid debates. ???
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Currently, it's the second most recent comment on this video. My YouTube name is TheOddsMustBeCrazy.
My newsletter for tomorrow is about that video.
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Quote: avianrandyhow do I subscribe to your newsletter? Any charge for it?
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Here is my Dec 22, 2022 newsletter about the video.
You can get on the mailing list here.
He has definitely taken notice. Unfortunately, he's just doubling down and enjoying the added views and attention.
See the next post for the link to his latest video YouTube "Card Magic: Self-Working Math Magic Trick EXPOSED"
Quote: dcjohn
I can't post the link to the latest reply. It's titled "Card Magic: Self-Working Math Magic Trick EXPOSED"
hope this is ok since it is on topic:
https(colon slash slash)youtu(dot)be(slash)PVv_s1Ki6mU
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Quote: dcjohnYour comment is already gone, or blocked (within about an hour). I hope he's not spending Christmas eve activity deleting comment that only praise him in ways he deserves.
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Let's just keep posting comments. It's a matter of which side has more determination.
One of the settings is "Hold all comments for review".
You may be attempting a Sisyphean endeavour.
