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jimgerrish![]() Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3209 Posts ![]() |
Some puzzles used by magicians can actually be solved by a member of the audience if given the chance. This would be the “Magic Boomerang/Banana/Rainbow” type puzzle. Others puzzles, if handed out, would expose secrets- such as the “Monkey Bars” puzzle.
However, the type I prefer for magic use are those puzzles that can be handed around with confidence, knowing that the handler will never be able to solve it, such as the “Imp Bottle,” or “Brass Ball and Tube.” I am trying to collect some more of these for a possible “Impossible Magic Puzzles” book or collection. I will also be including puzzle magic that I have been working on in which puzzles like the “Winston Freer Tile Deal” can be left on a table and anyone curious enough to attempt what he just saw the magician doing will not be able to do so because of a secret change to the conditions. Other puzzles where a secret change can make them impossible to solve include Paul Curry’s “Case of the Missing Hat” or any of its variations. I am searching my brains and memory for more of the same, but my brains and memory have gone on vacation and are not expected to return any time soon, so I thought about asking members of this forum if they can name some other likely candidates for such a book. Any thoughts?
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
MeetMagicMike![]() Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3501 Posts ![]() |
1) The classic "Snapper" puzzle is really a magic trick disguised as a puzzle.
2) The "Raketti" is available in two styles, regular and magnetic. The regular one is a puzzle that people can't figure out until you show them. The magnetic one allows you to show them and they still can't do it. You can buy the Raketti here: http://www.grand-illusions.com/acatalog/Puzzle_Toys.html That page shows the magnetic Raketti but that site has a lot of items that might fit your needs. They probably sell the Snapper too. Try to get a wooden version rather than plastic. |
MeetMagicMike![]() Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3501 Posts ![]() |
I believe that Magic and Puzzles are two diffent things. When presented, it should be made clear if it is a Magic Trick or a Puzzle.
With a magic trick you are demonstrating your own skill or knowledge that allows you to do something that others can't do. With a puzzle you are showing something that gives everyone a chance to be the one who solved it. I always let them know that I found this puzzle tricky and had quite a hard time with it but in the end I thought it was clever and that is why I think they will enjoy solving it. So I'm not sure about your angle on this. Have you found that people enjoy the experience of NOT solving a puzzle that you clearly know how to solve? OR are you actually presenting these more as magic tricks? |
jimgerrish![]() Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3209 Posts ![]() |
Thanks for the Raketti idea and link. I already had the Snapper modified to be unsolvable even for those "in the know" but didn't mention it in the original post.
This e-Book is intended for those who know the difference between magic and puzzles and are clearly looking for unsolvable puzzles that stop the lay puzzle solver dead in his (or her) tracks. It may seem cruel because those who participate in this forum love to solve puzzles and get a feeling of triumph when they finally figure it out. This is for those times when you want to tweak the puzzle solver's nose, so to speak, and teach a lesson that not all puzzles have solutions. They see you obviously solve the puzzle, but when they grab it and try to do what they just saw you do, they find it impossible. So to answer your question, you treat it as if it is a puzzle, but it actually is a magic trick. It's not a type of magic for everyone, just for those who like to play "cruel tricks on good friends."
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
slowkneenuh![]() Regular user After 5,278+ posts, only credited with 133 Posts ![]() |
Jim, let us know when your book becomes available. I would be interested in that subject matter.
John
John
"A poor workman always blames his tools" |
MeetMagicMike![]() Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3501 Posts ![]() |
How about the Spring and Ring? You fool them with the move. Then you explain the move and hand them the Spring and Ring and they still can't do it because the ring now passes through two loops.
(I learned the sucker version at a Paul Diamond lecture.) Also Tieing a knot without letting go of the ends of the rope. You explain the objective then show the silly old method of crossing your arms before grasping the ends. Then you show that it actually can be done without crossing the arms initially. (You use a secret invisible move to accomplish it) There is even third method which does't require a sleight. All along the spectator has their own rope and can not repeat the actions that you perform slowly. Another rope trick called "The Bachelors Needle" might qualify although it is a faux demonstration of skill and not a faux puzzle. |
jimgerrish![]() Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3209 Posts ![]() |
Thanks. I had forgotten the Spring and Ring puzzle, although I knew the secret moves. I'll add that one to my list.
"Tying the Knot Without Letting Go of the Ends" was already on the list, but thanks for bringing it up!
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
B.W. McCarron![]() Loyal user Seattle, WA USA 262 Posts ![]() |
The Electronic 3 Shell Game that operates via R***** C****** falls under the examinable magic category, even though it looks like a puzzle. While it's a bit pricey to buy, anyone with a small amount of soldering experience can build their own.
I authored one with a different method (and VERY easy to build) in Genii 30+ years ago. |
jimgerrish![]() Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3209 Posts ![]() |
Thanks. I don't know that one so I'll have to look into it. I wouldn't consider the regular 3 shell game a puzzle- more of a game of skill and observation, but perhaps the electronic version can be seen as a puzzle as you suggest.
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
MeetMagicMike![]() Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3501 Posts ![]() |
You might want to include the one where you have three cups arranged like this unu and challenge the spec to get them like this nnn in three steps where each step consists of invering two glasses. You then set the cups like this nun and it is impossible for them to do.
This would be a weak example of this genre but you might include it any way. In my experience people do figure out the trick pretty quickly but sometimes it's fun for a laugh. |
jimgerrish![]() Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3209 Posts ![]() |
In general, challenge puzzles (of any type) are boring to watch in a performance setting. They work fine at parties where you aren't getting paid to entertain, but when you are a magician standing in front of an audience, something magical is supposed to happen in the time you have allotted to your show. The puzzle aspect comes after the performance and spectators pick up the pieces thinking they can figure out how you did what you did. That part does not take up performance time, because by then you have moved on to something else that is hopefully more interesting to watch than one or two people working over your last trick. Solving puzzles is not a performing art; magic is.
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
MeetMagicMike![]() Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3501 Posts ![]() |
I use puzzles at restaurants and parties but they aren't a performance like magic. It's more like a party game that you run. I do find that they triple my coverage or more. So while I'm doing magic with this group, several other groups are working on puzzles.
If you have the right puzzles and introduce them properly, people have a great time. |
morro3![]() New user 54 Posts ![]() |
Quote:
On 2013-07-16 13:55, MeetMagicMike wrote: Do you have any specific puzzle recommendation that you could share? Thank you in advance. |
MeetMagicMike![]() Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3501 Posts ![]() |
I don't want to hijack this thead which is about puzzles that can be made unsolvable but AdamChance started a more general thread about puzzles for close up magicians and I have made some suggestions there. Check it out and feel free to ask questions
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......m=101&22 |
theconjuror![]() New user 61 Posts ![]() |
Thanks for the link magic mike, I've been stuck on the site all morning looking at wht they have!
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maousus![]() New user 67 Posts ![]() |
Thanks for introducing so many wonderful small puzzles, I am looking into quite a few of them now to understanding their effects.
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