Amazing Card Trick - Jack of Hearts Discovered!

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a card trick that involves mathematical principles and spelling to reveal a chosen card. Participants explore the mechanics of the trick, its variations, and the underlying logic.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a card trick involving nine cards and the spelling of "J-A-C-K" to reveal the Jack of Hearts, while noting they are still working on a proof of its mathematical basis.
  • Another participant questions whether the trick works if the chosen card is not the Jack of Hearts, suggesting that the method may not be effective in that case.
  • A different participant proposes an alternative version of the trick that spells out the number of cards associated with the chosen card instead of spelling the name "J-A-C-K".
  • A participant expresses frustration over the misunderstanding of the trick's mechanics, emphasizing that the trick can use any nine cards and that the Jack of Hearts is just a hypothetical example.
  • Another participant reveals a secret about the trick, explaining how the spelling of the card's name and the subsequent steps position the chosen card correctly for the reveal.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of the trick depending on the chosen card, with some questioning the necessity of spelling "Jack of Hearts" specifically. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of using different cards.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the card values and their spellings are not explicitly stated, and the discussion does not clarify the mathematical proof mentioned initially.

soroban
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I found this fascinating card trick recently.
Obviously it has a mathematical basis,
$\quad$but I'm still working on a proof.

Use any nine cards from a deck
Display them on the table in three face-up fans.
Ask a volunteer to name a card (out loud).

Casually move his card to the bottom on its fan.
Then gather the fans face down, with his fan on top.

Suppose his catd was the Jack of Hearts.

Deal the cards face down, one at a time,
$\quad$one for each letter you recite.

Spell J-A-C-K, dealing four cards in a face-down pile.
Drop the other cards on top.

Pick up the packet and spell O-F (two cards, face down).
And drop the other cards on top.

Pick up the packet and spell H-E-A-R-T-S.
And drop the other cards on top.

Pick up the packet and say, "Here is the Magic."
Spell M-A-G-I-C.

On "C", turn over that card.
It will be the Jack of Hearts .
 
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what if their card isn't jack of hearts? do you always spell out "jack of hearts magic" no matter what?
 
I know a very similar trick where instead of spelling "J-A-C-K", I would deal out the number of cards that the card is associated with: Ace=1, 2=2, ... , Jack=11, Queen = 12, King =13. :D
 
Hello, ineedhelpnow!

What if their card isn't Jack of Hearts?
Do you always spell out "Jack of Hearts Magic" no matter what?
Jeez!
It wouldn't be much of a magic trick, would it?

Didn't you hear me say "any nine cards"?
And "Suppose his card was the Jack of Hearts?"
 
No, I'm a bit deaf. Sorry.
 

In case you haven't discovered the secret
$\quad$ of the Spelling Trick, here it is.The value of the card has at least 3 letters.
Its spelling places it third from the bottom.

Spelling "OF" moves it to fifth from the bottom
$\quad$(fifth from the top).

Spelling the suit (at least 5 letters)
$\quad$keeps it at fifth from the top.

Then spelling M-A-G-I-C leads us to the card.

 

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