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Details

The Mysterious Puzzle of The Missing Dollar Bill

Einhorn, Nicholas

Einhorn Entertainment Ltd

(Based on 2 reviews)
A famous puzzle is brought to life with this simple-to-do and highly entertaining routine which seems to defy logic!

THE FAMOUS PUZZLE...
"Three diners finish their meal. The waiter says the check is $30, so each guest pays $10. Later the waiter realizes the check should only be $25.

To rectify this, the waiter returns a dollar bill to each of the three diners and they give the final $2 to the waiter, as a tip for his honesty.

Now that each diner has been given $1 back, each has paid $9, taking the total paid to $27. Add to that the $2 tip they gave to the waiter and the total is $29.

If the guests originally paid $30, where did the missing dollar go?"

THE ROUTINE
After the above puzzle has been told the magician explains that maybe it would be easier to work out what happens to the final dollar if he uses real money as he tells the story.

That being said he clearly shows $30 and with actions to match the story, the money is re-counted and bizarrely a real one dollar bill is missing!

A final bill is added to once again total $30. The spectators confirm there are definitely $30. Once more the process is repeated and astonishingly the result is the same. A bill disappears!

A true mystery which seems unexplainable and one which they can retell and enjoy long after you have parted.

  • IDEAL TO KEEP IN YOUR WALLET FOR THAT 'RIGHT MOMENT'
  • 5-SECOND RESET
  • 20 PAGE SPIRAL BOUND MANUSCRIPT (8.5" x 5.5")
  • OVER 25 CLEAR PHOTOS


Inspired by Daryl's original routine 'A Puzzling Bill Vanish' and released with his blessing.

Reviews

Dr. J. M. Ayala De Cedoz

Official Reviewer

Jun 18, 2013

I have had a lot of fun with this effect/puzzle in by formal close-up shows and in quite a few walk-around and banquet shows.

It does work very well and in my own experiences of performing this effect, the most memorable was for a room full of mathematics professors. Not a single one of them even figured out what should have been a very simple puzzle for them to solve! What that does show is that even though it works across all levels of education, it always seems that it is even more confounding to those with higher education. Even if the math part of the puzzle is solved by an audience member, the magical part trips them up.

The instructions are very clear and the photos illustrate everything clearly, making this a breeze to make up. The fact that the book is spiral bound and lies flat makes it all the more easier.

If you want to get technical, you only have to keep the gimmicks on yourself and you can even borrow the rest of the necessary notes if you want to go through the hassle, but that is hardly necessary and in my opinion, not really worth it. But it can be done.

This does take up a decent amount of table space, so it is not practical for every venue but rather is better for the types of venues I mentioned above. It can also play for parlour or stage if using a projection system.

The reset is not complicated and can be done in less that 4-6 seconds, although it cannot really be done in the open.

Overall if you are a fan of puzzles, a good story effect (even those with 1930s prices!) and have a venue in which to use it, this effect will work well for you. Check it out!
(Top ▲)

Joe Diamond

Official Reviewer

Nov 05, 2011

This manuscript explains a routine that’s part story, part puzzle, part math equation, and part magic trick. It’s based on a classic math puzzle in which a dollar is lost, but this routine allows you to actually vanish a dollar during the procedure.

While I don’t think this is suitable for walk around magic, as it takes a while to perform, and uses a good amount of table space, I can definitely see it going into a formal close up show. I also think this should be performed for an intelligent audience, because I think a good amount of people will get lost and may not realize a magic effect has taken place. Though a ‘math minded’ person may be able to figure out the equation, the magic effect that happens will still baffle them as the dollar 'really' vanishes.

The manuscript is spiral bound, and will lay flat on the table as you assemble the props, and walk through the routine. This is a HUGE learning advantage, so bravo to the producer for having this kind of foresight. Full color photos accompany the text, which is printed on high quality glossy paper

This product has many things going for it. While I’m not sure how an audience will respond to the effect, I’m sure there are performers out there who will make the most of this story, puzzle, and magic effect!
(Top ▲)