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Easy card trick called The Spelling Bee

Thursday, February 19th, 2009 – running time 10:45
It's rare to find a trick that you can actually fool yourself with...and that's exactly what you get with this episode!

In fact, grab a deck of cards right now, and we'll see if this works:

Start with any nine cards from the deck, and place them face down into three piles or three cards each. Pick up any pile and look at the bottom card: that's your card, so remember it.

Place the pile you selected on top of either of the other two piles, then drop that combined pile onto the last one. Now things get interesting:

Deal one card face down onto the table for each letter of the value of the card as you spell it out. In other words, if your card is king, you would deal down four cards as you spelled "K-I-N-G". When done, drop the rest of the cards on the pile you just dealt.

Next, spell "O-F" as you deal two more cards to the table. Drop the remaining cards on top.

Next, spell the suit of the card as you deal down one card for each letter. Remember that suits are plural, so you would deal five cards for "C-L-U-B-S". Again, drop the remaining cards on top.

Finally, pick any five letter word, and spell it our as you deal. It could be "scams", or "magic", or even your own name.

ready for the reveal? Turn over the last card you dealt...If you followed the instructions carefully, it should be your original card!

As we explain in this episode, this works on a couple of simple mathematical principles, and will work for any card in the entire deck!

Don't forget to submit your Scam School Domain Smack!

Play along and have Brian introduce your domain smack in a future episode! Find out more here.

Highlights
High School Musical ( 0:32, 0:32 ) Brian Jordan ( 1:00, 1:00 ) Martin Gardner ( 8:36, 8:36 ) High School Musical ( 0:32, 0:32 ) Brian Jordan ( 1:00, 1:00 ) Martin Gardner ( 8:36, 8:36 )

Automatically Generated Transcript(may not be 100% accurate) ( more )

" What if I told you you could do a killer card trick -- no talent no skill and without even touching the freaking cards. An effort to get a feeling this episode. --"

" brought to you by HBO's new series eastbound and down. Welcome to the long dark forgotten his stepson. Of High School Musical -- school the only show dedicated to social engineering at the bar and on the street. And then hold -- rest would have this we we actually have another cartridge Fed doesn't -- flooded and no talent no skill and it's electric you can do while you're holding the -- We're gonna learn. The spelling --"

" I got some Brian I don't know Brian Jordan Jordan. And hurt. -- Brewster actually driven Brewster fantastic on the show you guys. You know I actually what. I'm not a big cartridge you know usually but this -- such a different plot and it was great because it requires no skill and -- that's the cards but -- I love that already right can't beat the think about it we're gonna take out nice -- it doesn't matter what the ninth time are you guys could shoot them however way you want just pulled out picture we got nine. -- what you want is three pilot -- we are easy. Tomorrow. I think that's why and I Giuliani -- brief trial would fight -- the village just like that free -- I think also -- cards. Yeah we get up already up to smashing success I want to big up anyone of those guys were together you're one of those pick -- the file. And look at the bottom card every -- we remembered for the white that the really what you would trigger a look over your furniture I had no idea of what the parties have been enough. You gotta find what we judge -- while you picked up what you set it on one of the other piles. Yeah they're -- when you pick it up right banks I don't think they'll put it on the there's. Axle and here simple instructions all went Judaism's about the parts. We're going to spell. Silently don't let me hear a lot of and I know your card. I would Judith bell and as you spell out the value of the car I want to reveal now one card for each letter report you do at old you are. And it set the deck on top. It was a queen you do Q you usually in and is that back on top of practice that you really good beyond doubt silently you know you have -- a year ago. A bit better than that. -- actually now of course when you. Say the value -- the -- four -- lets you like that -- happening in that same thing over there okay. Our pick and roll out the same thing same thing for the six -- carrying members into -- into the Davidson NC LUV. And then -- degas and now us. Let's remind me. Couple that went magical enough America is business you look up and I want to -- my name's -- these are my -- it. We've seen in -- group either. Pre nup resultant reprieve remember what that you've got picked apart."

" Without you decided to call that the pilots yet you glimpse the card that's sites that the mullah. I've never knew it and I was never knew anything you guys spelled out the value. And it's not those suits and the mind games. And what was the -- you guys had to."

" Yeah. So all you're gonna learn how this will work but first we have to thank our sponsors over HBO's new series -- founded -- starring in and tries to hit comedy series by HBO eastbound and down premieres February 15 10:30 PM immediately following flight of the concorde's every kid has a great ballplayer they look up to any powers isn't that guy -- play real sports contributed to this and exercised its ultimate."

" And check this out you can send a voice mail to your friends from -- powers by heading over the message from a legend dot com. On the card turned this thing is completely -- working -- all those steps it doesn't self self worth the first question people last year's."

" For every. Art this is the nothing about it until it wouldn't doubt you -- out of work or every single card. Indian tired that it was going and walk through and it's actually a mathematical puzzle impact. I have the privilege of talking to the values do puzzles for scientific American Martin -- up."

" Here you know hard -- I got to meet him recently and we've talked about this very -- and one of the things we talked about. Was that there. It turns out that for the value of the card basically -- this will say -- king of diet sprite you want to take whatever pilots on."

" And stacking it on the other -- so it's really had to start."

" And here's the amazing thing let's say now this is -- that deal Kate ING. And they drop just to peek in on how we're doing. The media outlets like thinking is is free from Obama now we're gonna do oh. And now. It's fifth from either side it's right in the middle. After after going after them right so let's say the same similar situation we're gonna put became. Three from the top -- it was right -- Huge youth need to -- and all the effort. And it's right there in the fifth book in the fifth spot. Now we're gonna get -- same thing let's do that would that would -- ACP. We're gonna pick it up I guess it isn't easy though -- yet. And then there it is. In response. And all the numerical values either at 34 or five --"

" by the time you go through and -- and do all of."

" It's always going to be in the middle after that here's the other killer part and you don't. AM all in. And it's still. In the fifth on the fifth spot if you do CL UBS. Yes where it -- and it's still in the men's bonds denominated."

" Beer then you know I hope it will name -- there is no way that's impossible there now we're kind of abandoning -- again."

" Files and I'll get legitimately get your mom got it done now that you don't look -- yeah. I got I -- hooked -- you've got it yeah you got it went about it but I doubt now. -- Card number eight latter -- So I might as well here we nobody here that we don't know yeah it may god have we are mean and don't let it if you imagine sequence -- yeah. I think that -- being in there I got what you saw a lot -- didn't do anything. Have all. Yeah you got -- I can't do this development. Do you want to the sisters yeah yeah found out. We'll game yeah our right got a right and with the -- when you're -- because it. You -- we only have been doing all. Yeah Monday and we'll -- my name is Brian quiet perfect right spell your name when you didn't -- you didn't. They're already -- aren't I hate it and look at that talk about we'll -- that caused him publicly the yeah."

" I think I'd like Dell because once you get to the point we are ready once you've done bid that valued all of and they assumed you know you have to its five down to take anybody -- working."

" GI CC magic. Because -- scans SE ain't him. Ask what what's great is -- doesn't have to be a five letter word let's say some of his name is John and I got. HNN."

" And you know that the next one is going to be there right -- I -- four or five letter word will work. You guys were -- felt that was worth of -- yeah."

" A -- district is one of the few cartridge that actually -- yourself you can actually do it over the phone as long as they follow the instructions the right card is gonna show up at the right time. By the way elegant and very special thanks to mr. diamond Jim Tyler who took me out to meet the legend Martin Gardner where we discussed this very trick they should pick up diamond Jim's book bamboozled his boulevard vets that'll blow your mind. At his website as well get video of you pulling -- these scams I want to -- the motherboard that revision3.com. -- any questions about this -- if you want to suggest your favorite -- Write me directly at -- a revision3.com. Next episode we're going to be learning how to take embarrassing photos on the paparazzi before now. And get back to the bar."

" Eighth and school -- for the month of February were conducting a survey to get some additional information about our viewers. We'd love your feedback if you have a few minutes to spare pleased with the paper into the service provision 3 dot com slash am schools serving. But the view complete the survey you'll be treated with me Indonesia we've been working on banks are helping us. This week we teach your card --"

" It involves 3003 cards age and then they turn overwhelmed wild England's Bob Gardner and they spell out the cards and at the -- it turns out that's the kind of thought of this week -- charging that involves spelling."

" I love district it actually doesn't sell for as long as you follow the instructions you can't go wrong what do you say little -- back."

" A little bit weird standing next to -- back junior over here -- relic like GM. -- I'm Jim water back you need to compete with some big Jim would say I love stand still and give me more episodes immediately."

" Greg and Jim the anger -- Gilligan little different. I definitely see."

" They did actually yeah."

" But that's it."

" What if I told you you could do a killer card trick -- no talent no skill and without even touching the freaking cards. An effort to get a feeling this episode. --"

" brought to you by HBO's new series eastbound and down. Welcome to the long dark forgotten his stepson. Of High School Musical -- school the only show dedicated to social engineering at the bar and on the street. And then hold -- rest would have this we we actually have another cartridge Fed doesn't -- flooded and no talent no skill and it's electric you can do while you're holding the -- We're gonna learn. The spelling --"

" I got some Brian I don't know Brian Jordan Jordan. And hurt. -- Brewster actually driven Brewster fantastic on the show you guys. You know I actually what. I'm not a big cartridge you know usually but this -- such a different plot and it was great because it requires no skill and -- that's the cards but -- I love that already right can't beat the think about it we're gonna take out nice -- it doesn't matter what the ninth time are you guys could shoot them however way you want just pulled out picture we got nine. -- what you want is three pilot -- we are easy. Tomorrow. I think that's why and I Giuliani -- brief trial would fight -- the village just like that free -- I think also -- cards. Yeah we get up already up to smashing success I want to big up anyone of those guys were together you're one of those pick -- the file. And look at the bottom card every -- we remembered for the white that the really what you would trigger a look over your furniture I had no idea of what the parties have been enough. You gotta find what we judge -- while you picked up what you set it on one of the other piles. Yeah they're -- when you pick it up right banks I don't think they'll put it on the there's. Axle and here simple instructions all went Judaism's about the parts. We're going to spell. Silently don't let me hear a lot of and I know your card. I would Judith bell and as you spell out the value of the car I want to reveal now one card for each letter report you do at old you are. And it set the deck on top. It was a queen you do Q you usually in and is that back on top of practice that you really good beyond doubt silently you know you have -- a year ago. A bit better than that. -- actually now of course when you. Say the value -- the -- four -- lets you like that -- happening in that same thing over there okay. Our pick and roll out the same thing same thing for the six -- carrying members into -- into the Davidson NC LUV. And then -- degas and now us. Let's remind me. Couple that went magical enough America is business you look up and I want to -- my name's -- these are my -- it. We've seen in -- group either. Pre nup resultant reprieve remember what that you've got picked apart."

" Without you decided to call that the pilots yet you glimpse the card that's sites that the mullah. I've never knew it and I was never knew anything you guys spelled out the value. And it's not those suits and the mind games. And what was the -- you guys had to."

" Yeah. So all you're gonna learn how this will work but first we have to thank our sponsors over HBO's new series -- founded -- starring in and tries to hit comedy series by HBO eastbound and down premieres February 15 10:30 PM immediately following flight of the concorde's every kid has a great ballplayer they look up to any powers isn't that guy -- play real sports contributed to this and exercised its ultimate."

" And check this out you can send a voice mail to your friends from -- powers by heading over the message from a legend dot com. On the card turned this thing is completely -- working -- all those steps it doesn't self self worth the first question people last year's."

" For every. Art this is the nothing about it until it wouldn't doubt you -- out of work or every single card. Indian tired that it was going and walk through and it's actually a mathematical puzzle impact. I have the privilege of talking to the values do puzzles for scientific American Martin -- up."

" Here you know hard -- I got to meet him recently and we've talked about this very -- and one of the things we talked about. Was that there. It turns out that for the value of the card basically -- this will say -- king of diet sprite you want to take whatever pilots on."

" And stacking it on the other -- so it's really had to start."

" And here's the amazing thing let's say now this is -- that deal Kate ING. And they drop just to peek in on how we're doing. The media outlets like thinking is is free from Obama now we're gonna do oh. And now. It's fifth from either side it's right in the middle. After after going after them right so let's say the same similar situation we're gonna put became. Three from the top -- it was right -- Huge youth need to -- and all the effort. And it's right there in the fifth book in the fifth spot. Now we're gonna get -- same thing let's do that would that would -- ACP. We're gonna pick it up I guess it isn't easy though -- yet. And then there it is. In response. And all the numerical values either at 34 or five --"

" by the time you go through and -- and do all of."

" It's always going to be in the middle after that here's the other killer part and you don't. AM all in. And it's still. In the fifth on the fifth spot if you do CL UBS. Yes where it -- and it's still in the men's bonds denominated."

" Beer then you know I hope it will name -- there is no way that's impossible there now we're kind of abandoning -- again."

" Files and I'll get legitimately get your mom got it done now that you don't look -- yeah. I got I -- hooked -- you've got it yeah you got it went about it but I doubt now. -- Card number eight latter -- So I might as well here we nobody here that we don't know yeah it may god have we are mean and don't let it if you imagine sequence -- yeah. I think that -- being in there I got what you saw a lot -- didn't do anything. Have all. Yeah you got -- I can't do this development. Do you want to the sisters yeah yeah found out. We'll game yeah our right got a right and with the -- when you're -- because it. You -- we only have been doing all. Yeah Monday and we'll -- my name is Brian quiet perfect right spell your name when you didn't -- you didn't. They're already -- aren't I hate it and look at that talk about we'll -- that caused him publicly the yeah."

" I think I'd like Dell because once you get to the point we are ready once you've done bid that valued all of and they assumed you know you have to its five down to take anybody -- working."

" GI CC magic. Because -- scans SE ain't him. Ask what what's great is -- doesn't have to be a five letter word let's say some of his name is John and I got. HNN."

" And you know that the next one is going to be there right -- I -- four or five letter word will work. You guys were -- felt that was worth of -- yeah."

" A -- district is one of the few cartridge that actually -- yourself you can actually do it over the phone as long as they follow the instructions the right card is gonna show up at the right time. By the way elegant and very special thanks to mr. diamond Jim Tyler who took me out to meet the legend Martin Gardner where we discussed this very trick they should pick up diamond Jim's book bamboozled his boulevard vets that'll blow your mind. At his website as well get video of you pulling -- these scams I want to -- the motherboard that revision3.com. -- any questions about this -- if you want to suggest your favorite -- Write me directly at -- a revision3.com. Next episode we're going to be learning how to take embarrassing photos on the paparazzi before now. And get back to the bar."

" Eighth and school -- for the month of February were conducting a survey to get some additional information about our viewers. We'd love your feedback if you have a few minutes to spare pleased with the paper into the service provision 3 dot com slash am schools serving. But the view complete the survey you'll be treated with me Indonesia we've been working on banks are helping us. This week we teach your card --"

" It involves 3003 cards age and then they turn overwhelmed wild England's Bob Gardner and they spell out the cards and at the -- it turns out that's the kind of thought of this week -- charging that involves spelling."

" I love district it actually doesn't sell for as long as you follow the instructions you can't go wrong what do you say little -- back."

" A little bit weird standing next to -- back junior over here -- relic like GM. -- I'm Jim water back you need to compete with some big Jim would say I love stand still and give me more episodes immediately."

" Greg and Jim the anger -- Gilligan little different. I definitely see."

" They did actually yeah."

" But that's it."

mari1ee

Started discussion: February 19, 2009 @ 9:23am GMT

Episode 49 - Easy card trick called The Spelling Bee [Discussion]

It's rare to find a trick that you can actually fool yourself with...and that's exactly what you get with this episode!

Watch or download now!

t2t2
9 months ago
Does this trick work in any language as long as there's a 2 letter word and a 5 letter word or is it English only?
thejbug
9 months ago
In reply to t2t2:
Does this trick work in any language as long as there's a 2 letter word and a 5 letter word or is it English only?


The trick is all about keeping track of where the card is. Spelling out the word of the value, then the "of", then the suit, followed by a four or five letter word is just an easy way to pull it off. I've been doing this one for years, and so long as you remember where the card is, you could use anything. I did it once in front of a few friends, and as soon as I told them to make three piles of three one of the guys at the table balked and said he knew exactly what I was up to... So I got them to add a 4th pile of three and spell out some funny words. It made keeping track of the card a little harder, but it's totally doable with a little practice.

As a good, simple variant to this one try:
1. Card Value
2. "O-f"
3. Suit name (Plural, of course)

Then make up some bs story about not having a magic wand:
4. "M-a-g-i-c"
5. "W-a-n-d"

At this point, your mark's card is at the top of the 9-card deck. Feel free to end the trick here - it's a little more impressive to have it at the top of the deck, then the top of the discard. Not to mention that the two additional words makes it look harder.

I've been known to have the mark spell their name following the "magic wand" bit, too. Once the card's at the top of the deck, ANY word (Well, any word with less than 9 letters) will bring it to the bottom. This works especially well when someone else nearby has seen the trick before - first they're thrown when you toss two words at them instead of one - then by not using the discard - then by the card at the bottom instead of the top.

[puff of smoke]
shwooddotcom
9 months ago
In reply to t2t2:
Does this trick work in any language as long as there's a 2 letter word and a 5 letter word or is it English only?


thejbug's right (welcome, BTW, thejbug!). This first two parts (spelling the value and the "of") pretty much just get the card to the middle (5th) position. From there, any number of words (as long as it has 5 letters or more), will keep in in that position. a little playing around, and it should work in your language as well!
MrPopular
9 months ago
Love this trick, can't wait to try it out.
coldv
9 months ago
Great trick! But I figured it'd turn out to be a "It always turns out the same" kinda thing.

Other than the great trick, this is an awesome episode! The two guys have great charisma. I couldn't stop laughing when they recreate the trick and Brian acting oblivious. Also awesome out takes!

Oh, and I can't wait to try this out on two of my friends! I am planning to use their last names, "Vozzo" and "Imrie". If I do this individually to them, I think it might just blow their mind.
rabidbadger
9 months ago
We are getting some awesome first posts today!
yvesoft
9 months ago
It works in portuguese. The numbers and suits have about the same amount of letters and "of" translates as "de", so it worked fine. I was really surprised!
shwooddotcom
9 months ago
In reply to yvesoft:
It works in portuguese. The numbers and suits have about the same amount of letters and "of" translates as "de", so it worked fine. I was really surprised!


awesome!
masherscf
9 months ago
Brain, as you may know, I'm a Math professor. I'm writing a scholarly work about math-embedded magic tricks. You've given me quite a few. But, this one is one of the best.

I think that nearly every trick that doesn't depend on slight-of-hand probably has a combinatorial or algebraic root. Nim is one of the simplest examples.
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