The 3.41 Challenge A Good Bar Bet
by Diamond Jim Tyler in GAMES November 2013
BET: Line up a dime, penny, nickel, quarter, and half dollar, in that order, across a tabletop. Then
place a stack of ten quarters near the five coin line-up. Bet your friend that he can't tell which coin,
when standing on its edge, is closest in height to the stack of ten quarters.
SECRET: Believe it or not, it is the dime.
The best way to present this little illusion of perception is to lay out the five coins sccording to size (not their value).
Then place stack the stack of ten quarters nearby on top of something like a cell phone or drink coasters (see picture below). Elevating the
quarters off of the surface of the tabletop makes comparing the height correctly somewhat tricky.
Most people who analyze this challenge will take the safe bet and go with the nickel since it is the middle coin. Should they choose this coin
or one that is larger, say something like, "I'll even give you a second chance if you are willing to double the bet. What do you say?"
If they accept this wager, then they will definitely choose one of the coins adjacent to their first selection, choosing the quarter or penny.
Since most people don't carry half dollars in their pockets, you'll need to bring one along when performing this little betcha. Having
this fifth coin is crucial to this optical illusion.
This is an excerpt from Bamboozlers: Volume Two by Diamond Jim Tyler, which you can order at
www.djtyler.com.
