Magic: Tiny Plunger - Penn & Teller's Impressive Card Trick

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In summary, the conversation discusses a magic trick performed by Penn and Teller on their show "Fool Us" where a plunger is used to find a chosen card from a deck. The trick is impressive because the plunger and cards are given for inspection, yet the magician is still able to perform the trick. The discussion delves into possible methods of how the trick is performed, including using talc on the cards or having pinholes to create suction. There is also a mention of the magician asking the host to speak a number and the plunger picking out that exact number of cards, leading to speculation about the placement of the talc or suction. The conversation ends with a suggestion to have one thread for all magic trick discussions.
  • #1
Raghav Gupta
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An act from Penn and Teller: Fool us where a plunger does the act of finding a card from deck against so many odds.
This trick is so elegant as the magician is giving the plunger and cards for inspection yet he do wonders.
Anybody having faintest idea of how this is being performed?
 
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  • #3
jackwhirl said:
My best guess is that it is related to wringing. This would be especially easy with a brand new deck of cards.

See the answer here that refers to gauge blocks: http://physics.stackexchange.com/qu...-similar-smooth-metals-seem-to-stick-together
Okay,if he is able to pick the whole deck of cards by that plunger. But how he is able to cut with a plunger the exact same card that the audience has chosen? Most surprising part is that when he gives to the audience (Teller) and Teller cuts his chosen card by that plunger.
 
  • #4
The mere act of pulling the card out would add air around that card making it the likely breaking point. If he had talc on his hand he could spread it on the card below and practically guarantee it would separate there.
 
  • #5
jackwhirl said:
The mere act of pulling the card out would add air around that card making it the likely breaking point. If he had talc on his hand he could spread it on the card below and practically guarantee it would separate there.
That logic is not applicable when he asks the host to speak a number and the plunger takes out exactly that number of cards, because the magician has to know the place where he has to apply talc or separate it.
 
  • #6
Raghav Gupta said:
That logic is not applicable when he asks the host to speak a number and the plunger takes out exactly that number of cards, because the magician has to know the place where he has to apply talc or separate it.
And who was holding the cards when the number was spoken?
 
  • #7
jackwhirl said:
And who was holding the cards when the number was spoken?
Magician, but he is not spreading cards while host speaks number.
 
  • #8
Why not just have pinholes in the cards, wouldn't that be enough to exert some suction on the lower cards. Just make there be one solid card, or however they align, and you can control how many to pick up.

As soon as I saw it pick up 2 cards I thought, ok, they have unaligned holes.
 
  • #9
Hepth said:
Why not just have pinholes in the cards, wouldn't that be enough to exert some suction on the lower cards.
No, I don't think so. Pressure is force/area and the area of pinholes is very small.
 
  • #10
Why don't you just make one thread to post all these in, instead of spamming the general forum with magic trick posts.
 
  • #11
I don't think the size of the hole matters so much actually. What matters is that the plunger can maintain a lack of air between the two cards, thus causing a friction for them to stay together. 2 New cards will actually do this without suction, almost like a casmir effect.
 

1. What is the premise of the "Magic: Tiny Plunger" trick?

The "Magic: Tiny Plunger" trick involves using a small plunger to seemingly control the chosen card in a deck. The plunger is used to pick up and move the card, making it appear as though the magician has control over the card's movements.

2. How does the trick work?

The trick involves a combination of sleight of hand and misdirection. The magician uses a duplicate card and strategically places it in the deck so that when the plunger is used to pick up the chosen card, it appears to be the same card that was chosen by the audience member. The magician then uses various hand movements and distractions to make it seem like the plunger is controlling the card's movements.

3. Is the trick difficult to learn?

Like most magic tricks, the "Magic: Tiny Plunger" trick requires practice and skill to master. The sleight of hand and misdirection techniques used in the trick may take some time to perfect, but with dedication and practice, it can be learned by most people.

4. Can anyone perform this trick?

While the "Magic: Tiny Plunger" trick can be learned by most people, it does require some basic knowledge of magic and sleight of hand techniques. It may be more challenging for those who are new to magic, but with practice and dedication, anyone can learn to perform this impressive card trick.

5. Are there any variations of this trick?

Yes, there are variations of the "Magic: Tiny Plunger" trick that have been created by other magicians. Some variations may use different props or different methods of controlling the card, but the basic concept of using a plunger to control a chosen card remains the same.

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