I need to divine an item from a list of 24 with just a single card (2 sides).
A binary solution would require 2 cards (4 sides) and ternary would require 3 sides.
Any suggestions for a single card solution please?

Use different smileys in different colours.

Wouldn't a binary solution require more than four sides? 2^4=16

Can you provide more info on exactly what you're trying to do?

Landmark, you're correct, silly me. Of course 5 sides needed for 24 items (1,2,4,8,and 16).
What I am trying to do is similar to Effects with up to 16 items such as Zodiac sign divination etc. all of which can be comfortably accommodated on 2 sides of a single card.

hcs, thanks for that, I have played with 2 different colours but can't get to a final, fluid methodology. Can you expand a little? pm me if you wish.

You might want to take a look at Zodiak Gods by Unknown Mentalist

https://www.lybrary.com/zodiak-gods-p-871741.html

Mike

You can try with "take a number from 1 to 30 " page 246 in My Best J.G Thompson.
You have a card bearing 30 numbers or items ,you can replace columns with colors.

Marco

Michael and marcomind, thank you both for these tips.

It's on page 264.

Phil (I do the same think quite often)