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Dale A. Hildebrandt Special user 637 Posts |
Sometimes I enjoy making bizarre presentations for items other than magic tricks. The following is an example of a puzzle made into a bizarre piece. Feedback is welcome.
"ALL IN" by Dale A. Hildebrandt Joe played poker. He played No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em. He wasn’t very good at it. But there was no limit as to what he would do to get to the final table. Joe had made a deal with Ol’ Scratch, the Devil himself. The Devil said Joe would get to the final table, for the price of one soul---Joe’s soul to be exact. However, there was one stipulation. If three sixes showed up during a hand, Joe wouldn’t win and the Devil would still keep the soul. And now Joe was sitting at the final table. He had six chips left, and he thought the Devil wasn’t living up to his end of the bargain. Then Joe looked down at his hand. Two sixes. And a third six on the table. Joe had no choice, he had to go all in, at least that’s the way it felt. He lost the game. He lost his soul. The Devil showed up, a grin on his face. “Is there any way out of this?” asked Joe, more worried than he‘d ever been in his life. “You had six chips left,” replied the Devil, “If you can make two rows of four chips out of the following arrangement, I’ll give you back your soul.” The Devil laid out four chips in a horizontal line. Beneath the second chip in the horizontal line, the Devil laid a vertical line of two chips. Joe felt a tug at his heart. How would it be possible? And then, as if Divine Inspiration had hit, Joe put the first horizontal chip on top of the second horizontal chip. The Devil was not pleased, not pleased in the least. Joe might not have won the poker tournament, but he did get to keep a prized possession....his very own soul. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That's the presentation I built around a puzzle that the author titled "Criss-Crossed" in the book "Giant Book Of Challenging Thinking Puzzles" by Michael A. Dispezio. I substitued poker chips for coins, and added in the storyline. Sincerely, Dale A. Hildebrandt ~~I tried to illustrate the chip layout using zero's but the formatting on the board wouldn't allow me to do that. |
Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
Start. - means space.
--o-o-o-o-- ----o------ ----o------ Fini. 2 chips at 0. -->-0-o-o-- ----o------ ----o------ |
Bill Ligon Inner circle A sure sign of a misspent youth: 6437 Posts |
I like the idea of using a puzzle. It's a bit different, and it makes the puzzle more interesting. Thanks for this. It spawns ideas!
Author of THE HOLY ART: Bizarre Magick From Naljorpa's Cave. NOW IN HARDCOVER! VIEW: <BR>www.lulu.com/content/1399405 ORDER: http://stores.lulu.com/naljorpa
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ptbeast Special user Oregon 831 Posts |
I like the story and the basic idea. A part of me, however,
wonders if I would not be a bit disappointed as a spectator. I mean, the joy of a puzzle is in the solving. Perhaps if you put the spectator in the position of Joe and they had to solve the puzzle to save their soul? Just an idea. Thanks for sharing this with us. Keeps us on our toes! Dave |
Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-11-10 18:15, ptbeast wrote: I can see where the spectator would be renacting the story in their mind. When the chips are down they will, or should, be thinking of a solution. If you see that they're not involved in solving the puzzle, and want them to be challenged, then maybe ask, "What would you do in Joe's position?" I like the idea of it's not being a challenge to the spectator and am reminded of the "Color Monte" patter. The challenge is there in their mind but is not directed to the spectator. |
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