Ok, before we get to the Grim Card Trick, let's start with a Number Puzzle. You have
someone think of a number (whole number) from 1 to 30 and not tell you what it is. Ask them
if it is in any of the five columns below. For every column their number is in, add the top
number (16, 8, 4, 2, and/or 1). For example, if their number is in the 2nd, 4th, and 5th
columns, their number is 8+2+1 or 11! It works every time because of a math principle! Let me
know if you want to know the math principle.
I have seen a similar Number Puzzle before. It had over 60 numbers. I created this
puzzle for 30 numbers because it has a better feel to it.
I used the principle from the Number Puzzle to create the Grim Card Trick. So, it
could be an original trick but it is not an original principle!
Ok, here's how it works. You have someone think of a card, in a standard deck of 52
cards, and not tell you what it is. Ask them if it is in any of the six columns below. For
every column their card is in, add a number. For the first column on the left, you add 32.
For the rest of the columns, you would add 16, 8, 4, 2, or 1. For example, if their card is
in the 2nd and 3rd columns, you would have a number of 16+8 or 24. You would then translate
the number to a card. The number 24 represents the 4 of hearts.
You need to memorize the translation but there is a pattern to make it relatively
easy to memorize. Here is the translation:
Numbers 1 to 10 represent the 1 to 10 of clubs (1 is an Ace)
Numbers 11 to 20 represent the 1 to 10 of diamonds
Numbers 21 to 30 represent the 1 to 10 of hearts
Numbers 31 to 40 represent the 1 to 10 of spades
Notice that the suits are in alphabetical order from clubs to spades to help your memory.
So numbers 1 to 40 represent all non-face cards and 41 to 52 represent face cards.
For the face cards, it has a similar alphabetical pattern:
Numbers 41 to 43 are the Jack, Queen, and King of clubs
Numbers 44 to 46 are the Jack, Queen, and King of diamonds
Numbers 47 to 49 are the Jack, Queen, and King of hearts
Numbers 50 to 52 are the Jack, Queen, and King of spades
If the card is not in any of the columns, the card is the Joker!
Here is a link to a PDF file of each puzzle that you can download, print, and
show others!
Click here for the Number Puzzle PDF file
Click here for the Card Puzzle PDF file
That's the end of this Grim Magic!
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