Bar Bets & Puzzles

643 entries in Games / Bar Bets & Puzzles
250 per page
Creators Title Comments & References Year Source Page AA Categories
To conveie one shilling being in one hand into another, holding your armes abroad like a rood sucker bet in which a coin is in each hand, it is proposed to bring them into one hand without the hands coming near each other
 		1584
The Discoverie of Witchcraft (Issue XXV)
187
Another conceipt to procure laughter two items held far apart, challenge to bring them into one hand without moving the hands together
 		1634
The Art of Legerdemain Discovered
37
How to rub out Twenty Chalks at five Times, rubbing out every Time an odd one puzzle or wager, chalk strokes on a board
 		1784
Breslaw's Last Legacy
44
To make a Person tired, or sweat, at carrying a small Stick of a Room bet / wager
 		1784
Breslaw's Last Legacy
52
A droll Trick played with a Fowl roasted fowl comes back to life when pierced with a fork, as a prank / wager
 		1784
Breslaw's Last Legacy
55
To make an Egg stand an end on a Table or on a Looking-Glass impromptu version
 		1784
Breslaw's Last Legacy
58
C. H. Wilson Chapter IV. Confidence and Short-Card Games chapter intro
 		1877
The 52 Wonders
24
C. H. Wilson Slip-Jack No. 1, bar bet in which two separated Aces must be brought together
 		1877
The 52 Wonders
24
C. H. Wilson The Top and Bottom Dice Game No. 3, using a mis-spotted die in a dice game in a "adding up to seven" game
 		1877
The 52 Wonders
25
C. H. Wilson The Strap Game No. 4, rolled up leather strap
 		1877
The 52 Wonders
25
C. H. Wilson The Padlock Game No. 6, sucker is taught how to open a gaffed lock, later in a bet he cannot do it
 		1877
The 52 Wonders
26
C. H. Wilson The Dummy-Bags No. 7, small pouch with salt for tooth-ache, helper exchanges it with sawdust unbeknownst to operator, then it is bet that salt is still in it, which it is because of a switch
 		1877
The 52 Wonders
26
Der Salon-Herkules gag in which a spoon has to be moved with the mouth, it is secretly filled with mustard
 		Oct. 1895
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 1 No. 10)
157
Das Balancieren mehrerer Münzen balancing two coins on their edges on top of each other between thumb and first finger
 		May 1896
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 2 No. 5)
77
Kopf oder Wappen performer can tell whether coin lands heads or tails without looking, different sound
 		Nov. 1896
Der Zauberspiegel (Vol. 2 No. 3)
41
Der gebannte Korken bar bet with cork on a bottle
 		Mar. 1898
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 4 No. 3)
45
Was verstehen Sie unter "kompakt"? gag question that results into predictably funny hand movements
 		May 1898
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 4 No. 5)
78
Antonio Molini Das Glas als Lungenprüfer two glasses into each other, one has to remove the inner glass without touching either, solution is blowing
 		Oct. 1898
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 4 No. 10)
158
Das Glas als Geldschrank small coin in shot glass, sealed with bigger coin that gets stuck halfway in glass, challenge to remove small coin without touching anything, blowing
 		Nov. 1898
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 4 No. 11)
174
Antonio Molini Der widerspenstige Korken blowing a cork in the bottle
 		Jan. 1899
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 5 No. 1)
14
Talmi Bellachini Ein Streichholzscherz burning a match with its head down without burning oneself
 		Apr. 1899
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 5 No. 4)
62
Die gut sitzende Weste gag question that results into predictably funny movement to display vest
 		June 1899
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 5 No. 6)
95
Scherz-Aufgabe cutting a paper circe into eight equal pieces with three cuts
 		July 1899
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 5 No. 7)
111
Ein Vexierbild optical illusion with dice pattern
 		Sep. 1899
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 5 No. 9)
142
Die mysterieuse Schlinge leather band rolled up, endless chain type game
 		Nov. 1899
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 5 No. 11)
174
Der eigensinnige Billardball No. 5, finger spins ball on table, it rolls forward or backwards on command
 		1900
Der Amateurzauberer
159
Die behexten Würfel No. 8, holding three dice between thumb and first finger and letting center one drop, puzzle
Related to 1900
Der Amateurzauberer
160
Die durchdringende Münze cardboard with a hole smaller than a coin, challenge to pass coin through hole
Related to Nov. 1900
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 6 No. 11)
175
Zur "Durchdringenden Münze" clarifying illustration
Related to Dec. 1900
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 6 No. 12)
189
Der Mann mit den vier Köpfen four paper strips with design on them have to be combined to make a certain image
 		Jan. 1901
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 7 No. 1)
14
Die Höhe eines Cylinderhutes zu bestimmen estimating height of top hat
 		Oct. 1901
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 7 No. 10)
160
A Simple Coin Trick coin in broken match into bottle, non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
295
Phantome Wie schwamm der Tote über die Donau? water poured on table, gag in which water is hit and everyone gets wet
 		Feb. 1902
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 8 No. 2)
30
Carl Willmann Der Vexirschlüssel borrowed finger ring put onto ring even though it does not fit
 		Dec. 1903
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 9 No. 12)
190
Die Cigarre, welche von drei Herren zu gleicher Zeit geraucht werden kann "by A. H.", cigar can be smoked by three people simultaneously
 		Apr. 1904
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 10 No. 4)
61
Friedrich "Fritz" Hügli Wer nimmt das letzte Streichholz? puzzle, 15 matches on table 1, 2 or three can be removed at each turn, last one loses
 		1930
Zauberkunststücke
13
Friedrich "Fritz" Hügli Das Geldstück unter dem Streichholz bar bet, two matches balanced on matchbox and on coin, coin has to be removed
 		1930
Zauberkunststücke
14
Friedrich "Fritz" Hügli Ein Geldstück aus der Hand bürsten bar bet, spectator tries to remove coin from performer's hand with a brush and fails
 		1930
Zauberkunststücke
25
Al Baker Come Seven! placing three dice onto table in special configuration so different sides add up to seven, spectator cannot duplicate it
Also published here 1935
Al Baker's Second Book
24
Knife and Egg Shell knife through egg shell stunt that cannot be duplicated by spectator
 		1937
The Magic Annual for 1937
95
Tom Darlington Tip Tap Top puzzle/bar bet with coin and cigarette pack
 		1939
The Jinx (Issue Summer Extra 1939)
408
Arthur Dowler Beer Cap bar bet with beer cap, turning it over on table
Related to 1939
The Jinx (Issue Summer Extra 1939)
413
Quong Yen Cig in Bottle bar stunt, paper circle on bottle, cigarette balancing on top
 		Oct. 1939
Chap's Scrapbook (Vol. 2 No. 4)
4
Professeur Boscar Denkaufgabe verbal puzzle
Related toAlso published here
  • in "Journal de la Prestidigitation"
 1939
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 1 No. 2)
3
Laurie Ireland The Coca Cola Bottle and Nipple Effect liquid from bottle is filled in tiny baby bottle nipple
 		1940
Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1940)
5
A Penny - A Bet - A Drink guessing in which hand the coin is, bar bet, see also page 728
 		1941
The Jinx (Issue 123)
716
Art Lyle One Drop More bar bet
 		Aug. 1941
The Jinx (Issue 146)
816
Match Folder Wager bet that spectator cannot light twenty matches in a row with one strike
 		1941
After the Dessert
10
Robert "Robelly" Rouet Un Pari Gagne a Coup Sur bar bet, first person who hits 80, using a die
 		Oct. 1941
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 3 No. 10)
8
Foscola Ein Streichholzscherz how to hold a burning match upside down for thirty seconds
 		Mar. 1941
La Baguette Magique (Issue 3)
7
Loop the Loop puzzle, removing loop of rope on arm while hand is in west pocket
 		1941 ca.
Abbott's Encyclopedia of Rope Tricks
55
Walter B. Gibson, Danny Morris Gaglet Department
  • card coding with name badges (Gibson)
  • card in balloon gag (Morris)
  • cut and restored tie performance at army shows without a stooge (Morris)
  • bar bet, naming three numbers of a serial number on a bill
 		May 1942
The Phoenix (Issue 10)
38
Danny Morris, Doc Hurwitz Betcha bar bet, drinking from a glass while arm is held by spectator, coin gag
 		Sep. 1942
The Phoenix (Issue 17)
70
Danny Morris, Doc Hurwitz Betcha
  • coin jumps from mouth of empty bottle, without touching
  • pepper in glass is attracted or repelled by finger
 		Oct. 1942
The Phoenix (Issue 19)
81
Danny Morris, Doc Hurwitz Betcha
  • drinking from a sealed bottled without opening it
  • moving a coin without touching it
 		Oct. 1942
The Phoenix (Issue 20)
85
Danny Morris, Doc Hurwitz Betch
  • bar bet, predicting which side lands up, when tossing a match box
  • betting burning a handkerchief without injuring it
 		Oct. 1942
The Phoenix (Issue 21)
89
Danny Morris, Doc Hurwitz Betcha word play bet with a coin and three matches
 		Nov. 1942
The Phoenix (Issue 22)
93
Danny Morris, Doc Hurwitz, Walter B. Gibson Betcha
  • boiling water in a paper bag
  • beer bet
  • coin bet / puzzle ("One is not a nickel")
Variations Dec. 1942
The Phoenix (Issue 24)
101
Eddie Joseph A Dose for the Smart Guy glass of water under newspaper, paper whipped away, as sucker trick, coins balanced on glass
 		1942
Coin and Money Magic
40
Eddie Joseph Perfect Timing two coins on table edge, pushed off table towards floor, one straight down one sharply forward, they hit floor together
 		1942
Coin and Money Magic
85
Eddie Joseph Right First Time quick way of counting high stack of coins, using coin as ruler
 		1942
Coin and Money Magic
103
Foscola Die Höhe einer Cylinderhutes zu bestimmen as F., bet on guessing the hight of a top hat
 		July 1942
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 4 No. 7)
2
Marcel Rousseau Un pari gagné und coup sûr bar bet, filling empty glasses with little rest of own glass
 		Nov. 1942
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 4 No. 11)
8
As-Thy Un changement de solide en liquide joke, changing coins of spectators to liquid
 		Dec. 1942
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 4 No. 12)
12
Bert Allerton A Close Fit optical illusion in which envelope seems to small to fit a playing card
Variations 1942
Cut the Cards
5
Naming the Card Cut performer announces that he can immediately name any card cut to, deck secretly reversed under cover card
Variations 1942
Cut the Cards
10
Richard Himber Paper Match Throwing match landing on the side, bar bet
 		Feb. 1943
The Phoenix (Issue 28)
118
James G. Thompson Jr. Coin Betcha
Feb. 1943
The Phoenix (Issue 28)
118
Albert Cohn Betcha holding a burning paper match upside down for 50 seconds
 		Apr. 1943
The Phoenix (Issue 32)
132
Hen Fetsch Betcha removing two coins balancing on rim of mouth of a galss, with one hand, bar bet
 		Apr. 1943
The Phoenix (Issue 33)
137
Hen Fetsch Betcha turning over a coin under a beer mug without touching the mug
 		Apr. 1943
The Phoenix (Issue 34)
140
Bar Bet letting bill fall and spectator has to catch it
 		May 1943
The Phoenix (Issue 35)
146
John R. Boyko, John McCormick Blitz-Match winning game
Related to
  • correction on page 154
 May 1943
The Phoenix (Issue 36)
149
Hen Fetsch Betcha joke, bet that the bottom card is spectator's card, miniature card
 		June 1943
The Phoenix (Issue 38)
157
Bill Salisbury Bottle of Smoke whisky bottle filled with smoke, smoke has to be removed without touching the bottle
 		1944
Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1944)
25
Tom Fitzgerald A Cute Betcha match balancing on edge of a match, everything is covered under a glass, removing match without touching anything
 		Feb. 1944
The Phoenix (Issue 53)
217
Tom Fitzgerald A Cute Betcha penknife sticked in top of door arch falls directly in a bottle
 		Apr. 1944
The Phoenix (Issue 59)
241
L. Vosburgh Lyons Paper Puzzle turning a square of paper into an equilateral triangle
 		July 1944
The Phoenix (Issue 65)
267
Bruce Elliott The Back Room Richard Himber, a strange bar bet by Mystic Craig, idea by Paul Morris for Thompson's Double or Nothing, Puzzle
Inspired by Sep. 1944
The Phoenix (Issue 68)
279
Bob Hummer Latest Miser's Dream Gag verbal ambiguity, getting spectator's money
Also published here 1944
Six-Trix for 1944
8
Laurie Ireland Betchas collection of bar bets, several reprints of the Phoenix
 		1945
Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1945)
6
M. T. Coogan A Drop in the Bottle with a bottle, a cigarette and a paper loop
Also published here May 1945
The Phoenix (Issue 84)
343
Bernard the Magician A Bar Bet names of states on 20$ bill
 		1946
Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1946)
29
Joseph P. Schmidt An Ancient Swindle Revivified pricking the garter, belt rolled up and spectator pushed stick in it
 		Jan. 1946
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 3 No. 8)
189
R. J. Cooper A Table Interlude balancing a Dime on a folded bill, on the table
 		June 1947
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 5 No. 1)
329
Milbourne Christopher Head Through Card putting head through business card, puzzle
Related to July 1947
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 5 No. 2)
332
Milbourne Christopher Head Through Card putting head through business card, different cutting system, see p. 370 for idea by Joe Schmidt
Related to Sep. 1947
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 5 No. 4)
354
Harry Solomon Betcha coin appears in match box, then a losing bet is made
Also published here Jan. 1948
The Phoenix (Issue 142)
571
Al Baker Sugar Cube quickly unwrapping a sugar cube, bar bet
 		June 1948
The Phoenix (Issue 152)
618
Bruce Elliott The Back Room on Roy Benson, the Jarrow dinner, Dr. Jaks and a bar bet by Ron Edwards
 		June 1948
The Phoenix (Issue 153)
614
Francis J. Rigney Another Cutting Up weird method to cut an apple
 		Oct. 1948
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 6 No. 5)
473
Dr. William Weyeneth Gagnez vos paris coin in bottle filled with water is removed under handkerchief without spilling, followed by german translation "Um Ihre Wette zu gewinnen"
 		Jan. 1948
La Baguette Magique (Issue 19)
5
Jack Yeager A Bar Gag finding the camel on a dollar bill
 		1949
Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1949)
16
Hen Fetsch Magical Business
  • Buzz Watch (gag by Ed Heyel)
  • Dad Betcha (tearing a paper in half 9 times)
  • Plate Break (biting a plate)
  • Candle Out (blowing a candle out through sleeve, gimmicked)
  • Three Links (producing bottle from three linked rings)
 		1949
Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1949)
34
One Card Under The Other How to hold a card under a King on the table, without moving the King
 		1949
Tricks and Stunts With Playing Cards
12
Making a Card Invisible Challenge: make a card invisible to one person, but visible to everyone else
 		1949
Tricks and Stunts With Playing Cards
14
Standing A Card On Edge
1949
Tricks and Stunts With Playing Cards
15
Coin On Card Stunt Balance card and coin on finger, flick card out under the coin
 		1949
Tricks and Stunts With Playing Cards
16
Robert Stull The Problem of the Stacked Dice puzzle, five dice stacked with coins on top, naming top numbers of each die
  • Counter-clockwise Dice
  • Clockwise Dice
Variations Jan. 1949
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 6 No. 8)
502
Table Tricks - A Delicate Balance bar bet, using three dice
 		Apr. 1949
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 6 No. 11)
530
Robert Stull, Ned Rutledge, Wallace, Royal Vale Heath The Problem of the Stacked Dice puzzle, more solutions to Stull's problem posed on p. 502
Inspired by Apr. 1949
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 6 No. 11)
532
A Cigarette Enigma puzzle, six cigarettes placed on table so every cigarette touches the others
Related to May 1949
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 6 No. 12)
543
Table Tricks spinning egg on plate, puzzle
 		Aug. 1949
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 7 No. 3)
569
Milbourne Christopher Drinking a Glass Full glass fills up while drinking, gag
 		Oct. 1949
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 7 No. 5)
596
Francis J. O'Rourke A Cigarette Enigma puzzle, six cigarettes placed on table so every cigarette touches the others
Related to Dec. 1949
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 7 No. 7)
616
Steady Hands puzzle / bar bet with sugar cubes
 		1949
Over the Coffee Cups
1
Five Cube Pick-Up bar bet with sugar cubes, lifting five cubes with one finger
 		1949
Over the Coffee Cups
1
Cubes, Papers, and Coin bar bet, three cubes are stacked on a coin and with piece of paper in between, slips and coins must be removed without touching the sugar
 		1949
Over the Coffee Cups
3
Mushroom, Key, and States folding Dollar bill to make picture of a mushroom
 		1949
Over the Coffee Cups
6
Cross of Knives special way to hold two knives, bar bet
 		1949
Over the Coffee Cups
7
Sixteen Coin Puzzle
1949
Over the Coffee Cups
21
Three Stunts with a Dime bets and gags with coins
 		1949
Over the Coffee Cups
21
Johnny Paul Spinning the Half Dollar spinning a coin on its edge without touching it
Also published here 1949
Over the Coffee Cups
22
Sucker Bet gag with coins
 		1949
Over the Coffee Cups
22
Penny Puzzle how many letters on coin, puzzle
 		1949
Over the Coffee Cups
22
Brim to Brim two filled glassed placed mouth to mouth, puzzles
 		1949
Over the Coffee Cups
23
Problem of the Six Glasses puzzle with three empty and three filled glasses
Also published here 1949
Over the Coffee Cups
23
The Pyramid removing napkins between glasses
 		1949
Over the Coffee Cups
24
Johnny Jones Cross of Pepper pepper on water, making a cross with match
 		1949
Over the Coffee Cups
24
Match, Nickel, and Glass match balanced on edge of coin is moved, under glass
 		1949
Over the Coffee Cups
25
Glass and Check removing check under glass, with coin balancing on rim
 		1949
Over the Coffee Cups
25
Vanishing Smoke removing smoke from empty whisky bottle
 		1949
Over the Coffee Cups
27
Catching the Check catching check / bill between fingers
 		1949
Over the Coffee Cups
29
Charles "Chic" Schoke Schoke's Wise Cracker gag, bar bet with cracker
 		1949
Over the Coffee Cups
33
Sailor and the Doughnut gag puzzle
 		1949
Over the Coffee Cups
33
Don Tanner Brain Tickler of the Month: Fill the Bath Tub
Mar. 1949
Grant's Inner Circle Magazine (Vol. 1 No. 5 & 6)
7
L. Vosburgh Lyons Lyons Den paper puzzle, solution on p. 833
 		July 1950
The Phoenix (Issue 207)
825
Al Baker, John Mulholland Subway Sorcery apparently entering through subway turnstyles without paying
 		Oct. 1950
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 5)
712
Hen Fetsch Betcha!
  • reading the date of a coin through a paper
  • predicting the right card, gag (two versions)
  • showing five kings in a deck
Also published here Aug. 1951
The Phoenix (Issue 236)
944
Apples (1)
  • ⁠⁠Martin Gardner's Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
breaking apple with bare hands
 		Mar. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 10)
763
Apples (5)
  • Martin Gardner's Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
apple in handkerchief is cut in half without injuring the cloth
 		Mar. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 10)
763
Apples (7)
  • Martin Gardner's Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
solution for party game, Halloween apples
 		Mar. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 10)
763
Apples (8)
  • Martin Gardner's Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
bar bet, cutting apple in half without touching apple or knife
 		Mar. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 10)
763
Balloon (10)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
picking up a bottle with a balloon
 		Mar. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 10)
766
Balloon (11)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
balloon is inflated by putting it on bottle and using water and seltzer
 		Mar. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 10)
766
Balloon (13)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
sticking balloon on wall or ceiling, static electricity
 		Mar. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 10)
766
Bill (4)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
bet, spectator tries to catch bill
 		Apr. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 11)
781
Bill (11)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
igniting a bill without damaging it
 		Apr. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 11)
781
Purvis W. Miller Table Stunts - A Bottle and a Bill bottle reversed on bill, how to remove bill without touching bottle
Related to Apr. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 11)
783
Bill (16)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
how to throw a bill with thumbtack on ceiling so it sticks
 		May 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 12)
787
Bill (25)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
bet that spectator can not name three digits of serial number of borrowed bill
 		May 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 12)
787
Bill (29)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
finding the key on dollar bill, puzzle
 		May 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 12)
787
Bill (30)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
finding the names of more than 20 states on bill
 		May 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 12)
787
Bill (31)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
how many times does "one" (word or number) appear on bill, puzzle
 		May 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 12)
787
Bill (32)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
bill under glas has to be removed
 		May 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 12)
787
Bill (33)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
turning folded bill over by blowing on it, puzzle
 		May 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 12)
787
Bill (34)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
turning head of Washington upside down
 		May 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 12)
787
Bill (35)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
folding puzzle for bill, Al Smith
 		May 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 12)
787
Bill (36)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
puzzle, fold bill to produce picture of mushroom
 		May 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 12)
787
Bill (37)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
puzzle, how to make a "five" from a one Dollar bill
 		May 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 12)
789
Bill (38)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
puzzle, balancing glass on bill while bill is put over two glasses
 		May 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 12)
789
Bill (39)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
finding a certain number on a bill, puzzle
 		May 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 12)
789
Milbourne Christopher Bottle and Bill bottle reversed on bill, how to remove bill without touching bottle, different method as Miller
Related to June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
802
Book (14)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
  • juggling stunt with book, flipping it
 		June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
803
Bottle (6)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
quickly emptying a bottle
 		June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
803
Milk Bottles (13)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
odd method to lift reversed bottle
 		June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
803
Bottle (15)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
puzzle, coin on match in v shape on bottle, bringing coin inside bottle without touching match
 		June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
803
Bottle (16)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
three bottles and one match, puzzle
 		June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
803
Bottle (17)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
puzzle, blowing cork inside bottle
 		June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
803
Bottle (18)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
puzzle, lifting bottle with straw
 		June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
803
Bottle (19)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
how to empty bottle without removing cork
 		June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
806
Bottle (21)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
crawling into a bottle
 		June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
806
Bottle (22)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
removing cork from bottle, striking it against wall
 		June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
806
Bottle (23)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
bottle reversed on small ball, transferring bottle and ball without touching the ball, puzzle
 		June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
806
Bottle (24)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
to drink from bottle, without opening it
 		June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
806
Bottle (25)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
removing smoke from bottle without touching it
 		June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
806
Bottle (26)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
bottle reversed on coin, removing coin without touching bottle, puzzle
 		June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
806
Bottle (27)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
bottle reversed on bill, how to remove bill without touching bottle, three methods
 		June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
806
Bottle (28)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
nipple for baby bottle over coke bottle, how to remove coke without removing nipple
 		June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
806
Bottle (29)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
bottle balanced on other bottle with coin and bill in between, how to remove bill
 		June 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 1)
806
Brick (1)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
lifting five bricks with one hand
 		July 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 2)
815
Brick (2)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
party game, racing while always standing on bricks
 		July 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 2)
815
Brick (3)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
breaking brick with hammer, while holding it in hand
 		July 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 2)
815
Broom (6)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
grip test with broom, to people hold broom and lower it without turning it
 		July 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 2)
815
Emil Jarrow Salt and Pepper
  • Two Table Tricks
separating salt and pepper with the static electricity of a comb
Also published here Aug. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 3)
826
Emil Jarrow The Obedient Match
  • Two Table Tricks
paper match balances on a coin on edge under a glass, bet about removing the match, comb with static electricity
Also published here Aug. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 3)
826
Martin Gardner Calendar (6)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
bet that in a room of more than 24 people, two people have the same birthday
 		Aug. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 3)
829
Candle (2)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
bar bet type, blowing out a candle with a funnel
 		Aug. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 3)
829
Cellophane (2)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
tearing cellophane, spectator is unable to do it
 		Aug. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 3)
829
Chair (3)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
tied on chair, spectator has to move coin from mouth into purse which is on head
 		Aug. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 3)
829
Chair (4)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
strength feat, lifting chair by grasping extreme end of one leg
 		Aug. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 3)
829
Chair (5)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
strength feat, perfromer lies on three chairs and removes center one
 		Aug. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 3)
829
Checkers (1)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
removing bottom checker of a stack
 		Aug. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 3)
829
Checkers (2)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
removing bottom checker from a stack using another checker
 		Aug. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 3)
831
Checkers (4)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
checkers puzzle using eight in a row
 		Aug. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 3)
831
Chess (7)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
chess puzzle, placing eight queens on table
 		Aug. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 3)
831
Cigar (8)
  • Martin Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Impromptu Tricks
bar bet, placing cigarettes on handkerchief
 		Aug. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 9 No. 3)
831
Lu Brent Making a Production out of the Pyramid Puzzle using the Magic Pyramid Puzzle for Do As I Do, then Two in the Hand
Related to 1952
Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1952)
7
Martin Gardner, Charles "Chic" Schoke Easy Aces Aces in the deck stay in the same order after spectator riffle shuffled the deck three times
Related to Feb. 1952
The Phoenix (Issue 249)
997
John Scarne Scarne Puzzle logic puzzle, solution to puzzle from p. 1073
 		Nov. 1952
The Phoenix (Issue 269)
1076
Bar Bet verbal trap
 		Oct. 1953
The Phoenix (Issue 291)
1165
Tom Fitzgerald Cute Coins eight-pointed star, coins have to be moved, puzzle, see also p. 48 and p. 52
Also published here May 1954
The New Phoenix (Issue 306)
22
Paris in the the Spring bar stunt, reading sentence, two times "the"
 		May 1954
The New Phoenix (Issue 308)
32
John A. M. Howie Match Box Bet lifting the tray of a matchbox on its cover with only the first and fourth finger
Variations Aug. 1954
The New Phoenix (Issue 314)
58
Karrell Fox A Sure Bet joke, coin transforms into match
 		1954
Kornfidentially Yours
13
Eddie Joseph The Flame in the Bottle match is placed inside empty spirit bottle and flame and sound is produced, performer can repeat it but spectator will fail
 		1954
A Magician Goes to Dinner
4
Jules D'Hotel Eine kitzlige, zuckersüsse Sache lifting pile of sugar cubes, bar bet
 		1955
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 16 No. 2)
272
Dr. William Weyeneth Ein amüsanter Tisch-Scherz bar bet, turning over a card without touching it, apparently by "Musti"
 		1955
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 16 No. 3)
305
Tom Bowyer Maybe Make Three shuffled deck cut in half, performer takes three values out of one half, three cards chosen freely from other half, most of the time some values match, proposition bet
Related to Aug. 1955
Ibidem (Issue 2)
5
Audley Walsh Box Office Math math question
 		Feb. 1956
The New Phoenix (Issue 341-2)
177
Garter Tricks Pricking the Garter, basic version, can use belt too
 		1956
Mathematics, Magic And Mystery
81
The Giant's Garter More complex version of Pricking the Garter using a closed loop of string
 		1956
Mathematics, Magic And Mystery
82
Tom Ransom Puzzle: Shear Madness puzzle about cutting out a Greek cross of a folded paper with one cut
Related to Apr. 1956
Ibidem (Issue 5)
9
Tom Ransom Puzzle Solution: Shear Madness
Related to July 1956
Ibidem (Issue 6)
14
Mel Stover, Tom Ransom, Norman Houghton Puzzle: Cubes arranging five objects to make a cube
Related to July 1956
Ibidem (Issue 6)
14
Martin Gardner Flexa Tube Puzzle flexagon-related puzzle about folding a tube inside out in a certain way
Related to Sep. 1956
Ibidem (Issue 7)
13
Mel Stover, Tom Ransom, Norman Houghton Puzzle Solutions: Cubes
Related to Sep. 1956
Ibidem (Issue 7)
15
Norman Houghton Puzzle Solution: Cubes
Related to Dec. 1956
Ibidem (Issue 8)
13
Tom Ransom Flexa-Tube Solution
Related to Mar. 1957
Ibidem (Issue 9)
12
L. Vosburgh Lyons Cubeb puzzle with cubes that have six different colors in different arrangements
Related toVariations Dec. 1957
Ibidem (Issue 12)
8
C. "Cajano" Baumgartner Eine lustige Wette bet, currency has to be divided in several envelopes
 		1958
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 19 No. 1)
594
C. "Cajano" Baumgartner, Werner "Walt Nelson" Nussbaumer Die verhexte schrift writing on camel cigarette pack changes when read with mirror
 		1958
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 19 No. 1)
594
Tom Ransom Puzzle: Fist Through Cigarette Paper walking through a playing card variation
 		Mar. 1958
Ibidem (Issue 13)
4
Martin Gardner Two Puzzles
  • arranging seven cigarettes so they all touch
  • arranging four matches into a square that becomes smaller and smaller
Related to Mar. 1958
Ibidem (Issue 13)
5
Yarborough Problem probability of getting no card higher than Nine in a quarter of the deck, quote from "Mathematics and Logic" by Sir Edmund Taylor Whittaker
 		Sep. 1958
Ibidem (Issue 14)
5
Martin Gardner Puzzle Solution: Seven Cigarettes arranging seven cigarettes so they all touch
Related to Dec. 1958
Ibidem (Issue 15)
11
Martin Gardner Odd! Monty Hall discussion, bet with three cards
Variations Oct. 1959
Ibidem (Issue 18)
3
Martin Gardner Glass House both hands hold a glass and set it down reversed, really only one glass is turned over, two applications:
  • 1. old three-glass trick parity puzzle
  • 2. parity puzzle with six glasses
 		Oct. 1959
Ibidem (Issue 18)
4
Martin Gardner Stick Up bar bet with bent paper clip and paper match, creator unknown
 		Oct. 1959
Ibidem (Issue 18)
7
L. Vosburgh Lyons, P. Howard Lyons Cubeb solution to puzzle with cubes that have six different colors in different arrangements
Inspired by Oct. 1959
Ibidem (Issue 18)
9
P. Howard Lyons Stuff Page
  • proposition bet in which spectator writes nine different numbers on nine cards and turns them up one at a time, performer calls stop before the highest number is turned up
  • 5x5 magic squares
Related to Oct. 1959
Ibidem (Issue 18)
18
Bill Elliott The O. H. Puzzle layout puzzle with geometrical shapes
Also published here Oct. 1959
Ibidem (Issue 18)
23
Mel Stover Puzzle: Black Chinese Checkers
Related to Dec. 1959
Ibidem (Issue 19)
31
Ernest W. Brady The Missing Dollar missing dollar puzzle, verbal
 		1960
Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1960)
53
John Murray 20-16=7 match puzzle
 		Dec. 1960
The New Phoenix (Issue 352)
237
Mel Stover, Leo Moser, P. Howard Lyons, Martin Gardner A Short Shot proposition bet in which spectator writes nine different numbers on nine cards and turns them up one at a time, performer calls stop before the highest number is turned up
Related to May 1960
Ibidem (Issue 20)
19
E. J. Partington Table Trick scam with two coins
 		1961
Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1961)
29
Martin Gardner Brain Popper spectator writes "yes" or "no" on a card to predict whether an event will take place, logic paradox
Related toVariations Mar. 1961
Ibidem (Issue 23)
23
Ronald A. Wohl (Ravelli) Improbable head/tail proposition bet in which spectator throws two coin and performer one coin
 		Dec. 1961
Ibidem (Issue 24)
24
Max Malini The Vanishing Whisky at a bar, secretly drinking Whisky of friend
Also published here 1962
Malini and His Magic
53
P. Howard Lyons Greedy gag in which one gets a large amount of peanuts out of a vending machine
 		Sep. 1962
Ibidem (Issue 26)
29
P. Howard Lyons Belling the Bell fake demonstration in which one gets a coin from a pay phone
 		Sep. 1962
Ibidem (Issue 26)
29
Hans Herrmann Kleinzauberei zum Hausgebrauch
  • Ein Ei auf die Spitze stellen (make an egg stand upright)
  • Ein Ring aus einem Teller mit Wasser nehmen, ohne sich die finger nass zu machen (removing ring from water, without the fingers getting wet)
  • Einen Apfel in vier Teile schneiden, ohne die Schachtel zu beschädigen (cutting apple, sewing method)
  • Ein Geldstück unter einem Hut hervorbringen, ohne den Hut zu berühren (removing a coin from under a hat, without touching the hat)
Related to 1963
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 24 No. 1)
4
Mel Stover Dirty Old Mel small plate is locked into jacket in both sleeves, gag
 		Aug. 1963
Ibidem (Issue 29)
20
David Hoy ????? puzzle, writing Khrushchev
 		June 1964
The New Jinx (Vol. 3 No. 26)
109
Arthur Monroe 3 Card Money monte, proposition bet with double backers (red-red, blue-blue, red-blue) shuffled in a bag and one is selected, bet on color of the other side.
Inspired by
  • item by Stanley Ogilvy in "Scientific American" September, 1950.
 Dec. 1964
The New Jinx (Vol. 3 No. 32)
131
Dr. William Weyeneth Denksportaufgabe für Fortgeschrittene puzzle with matches
 		1965
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 26 No. 5)
81
John Benzais Sandstorm Die Hard 3 math puzzle, see p. 160 for solution
 		June 1965
The New Jinx (Vol. 4 No. 38)
157
Card Flip Bar Stunt
Sep. 1966
The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 1 No. 11)
57
Peter Alexis A Friendly Game betting game with dice, proposition bet
Related to
  • p. 155 for George Henbeck comment
Variations 		Winter 1967
The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 3 No. 1st Folio)
136
Jack Ketch Jack Ketch's Nonsense Knot bar bet or gag, knot shall appear on rope without letting go of ends, writing knot on rope
 		1968
Abbott's Encyclopedia of Rope Tricks — Volume II
27
Karl Fulves The Compleat Gamester proposition bets
  • Birthday Bet (see p. 292 for Mel Stover comment)
  • Red And Black (Martin Gardner)
  • License Plate Poker
  • Ace-Deuce-Jack Variations
  • Black And White
  • Coin Swindles
  • 3-Card Poker
  • Odds On Favorite (Omega Bet, card pushed in reversed and pairs dealt off)
Related toVariationsAlso published here July 1969
The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 4 No. 9)
272
Martin Gardner The Compleat Gamester Addition red-black betting game with eight cards
Inspired by Mar. 1970
The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 5 No. 5)
324
Stewart James, Gene Gray A Match for Gravity watch and match tied to thread, over stick, see p. 337 for reference
 		Apr. 1970
The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 5 No. 6)
330
W. Mason Bet-A-Bill betting game, the last digit of which bill is highest
 		Dec. 1970
The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 6 No. 2)
387
Jules Lenier Odd Odds bets with odd in your favor
  • Baseball
  • Cards
  • Phone Book
 		Mar. 1970
Talisman (Vol. 1 No. 2)
7
Bradley Efron Las Vegas Dice non-transitive dice, also as packets of cards, see also p. 410 for idea by Stewart Olney
 		Jan. 1971
The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 6 No. 3)
393
Dai Vernon Vernon's Poker Challenge Demonstration No. 83, performer wins despite changing one of his cards for any freely chosen card from the remainder, will end up with flush or/and straight
 		1972
Jacob Daley's Notebooks
25
Cigarette Puzzle bar bet
 		Dec. 1974
Pabular (Vol. 1 No. 4)
49
Ken Brooke Coin Riddle bar bet
Related to Dec. 1974
Pabular (Vol. 1 No. 4)
50
250 per page