David Kwong - Magician/Puzzler; Head Magic Consultant on "Now You See Me" davidkwongmagic.com @davidkwong dkwongmagic Directed by Clay Tweel, Produced by Steven Klein
The first thing I thought was: Notice that he doesn't reveal the name of the card UNTIL the person tells him what it is. How many other card names are lurking in the grid?
He explains on The Bryan Callen show (without giving too much away) that he has spent countless hours memorizing patterns in words and crosswords. I don't think simply trying to "think" about how it was done will get you anywhere. Not on this one!
None, there's only one diagonal in this example from the bottom left to top right (well two, top right to bottom left). You can see his other examples, it's always a diagonal, not some random set of letters hidden in the grid.
atms: Automated Teller Machines tse: half of tse-tse fly oho: an exclamation askfor: to request (2 words) igors: belonging to Dr. Frankenstein's assistant all are possible (and common) crossword answers
What seems strange is that the time-lapse at 2:02 has the words on the crossword put up in a different order than they are put up during the presentation. Pay attention to the word "GROAN" in the top upper right corner. It's not on the screen before "ETTA" during the presentation, but in the time lapse, the word "GROAN" is written out before "ETTA" is. This makes it seem like these videos were from 2 different presentations & that he plans out and memorizes these crosswords ahead of time.
Of course, if the choice of card is forced on the audience (and really, why pass up that opportunity) then you only need one puzzle (per audience). I'd be interested in analysis of the words used to intersect the audience-selected words. But not so interested that I'd do it myself...
People like you David Kwong are the reason that Magic is still striving today!You are Inspiring,entertaining,and are making Magicians think inside the box again!Kudos,Congrats,keep up the Great work!!This is one of those,"why didn't I think of that moments"!
Yes, it is a trick deck of cards. Not a full deck. You notice he didn't let her look at all the cards or reveal the cards not selected. They may have all been the same card.
Really you only need 4 puzzles. "ofhearts", "ofclubs", "ofspades", and "ofdiamonds" designed with enough flexibility to accommodate Ace through King attached. And the diagonal placement of these letters makes it especially easy to fit audience-selected words in. There's certainly a lot of other skill involved, both in prep, and in execution, but I think as Penn & Teller would say, "you did not fool us."
I guess if you're a magician it's not hard to do a thing where someone picks a card and you know what it is? Or else you force them to pick a card that you want them to. That's the kind of thing magicians do all the time, right?
Truly presenting his own style of magic: David Kwong creates a crossword puzzle... and finds a chosen playing card all in one go.
The first thing I thought was: Notice that he doesn't reveal the name of the card UNTIL the person tells him what it is. How many other card names are lurking in the grid?
None
I love this trick every time I see it! Mind blown.
He explains on The Bryan Callen show (without giving too much away) that he has spent countless hours memorizing patterns in words and crosswords. I don't think simply trying to "think" about how it was done will get you anywhere. Not on this one!
None, there's only one diagonal in this example from the bottom left to top right (well two, top right to bottom left). You can see his other examples, it's always a diagonal, not some random set of letters hidden in the grid.
atms: Automated Teller Machines
tse: half of tse-tse fly
oho: an exclamation
askfor: to request (2 words)
igors: belonging to Dr. Frankenstein's assistant
all are possible (and common) crossword answers
What seems strange is that the time-lapse at 2:02 has the words on the crossword put up in a different order than they are put up during the presentation. Pay attention to the word "GROAN" in the top upper right corner. It's not on the screen before "ETTA" during the presentation, but in the time lapse, the word "GROAN" is written out before "ETTA" is. This makes it seem like these videos were from 2 different presentations & that he plans out and memorizes these crosswords ahead of time.
It's a replay
Of course, if the choice of card is forced on the audience (and really, why pass up that opportunity) then you only need one puzzle (per audience).
I'd be interested in analysis of the words used to intersect the audience-selected words. But not so interested that I'd do it myself...
How the heck...
pause at 2:32 and try to find any other cards.. good luck ;)
It's a trick for sure, just like any other 'magic', but this sure as hell is a good one!
Simply amazing! Really well done, David.
People like you David Kwong are the reason that Magic is still striving today!You are Inspiring,entertaining,and are making Magicians think inside the box again!Kudos,Congrats,keep up the Great work!!This is one of those,"why didn't I think of that moments"!
A complete deck of only eight of hearts?
Yes, it is a trick deck of cards. Not a full deck. You notice he didn't let her look at all the cards or reveal the cards not selected. They may have all been the same card.
Magia!
You have GOT to be kidding me!
HAHAHA no. Did you see how many crowds he's been to? It's marketable, thereby automatically not useless
Wow! I am duly impressed.
wow
okay, well, some people are just smarter than the rest of us.
What is the music you used in your video? it relates to something I've heard before and I can't put my finger on it so now... its driving me nuts..
Sinner man by Nina Simone
But part of the fun is trying to figure out how it was done! :D
Some people are just smarter than others...
I feel myself soooo stupid
Its 99% brain power.
How does he do that???????
nina simone-sinner man
Really you only need 4 puzzles. "ofhearts", "ofclubs", "ofspades", and "ofdiamonds" designed with enough flexibility to accommodate Ace through King attached.
And the diagonal placement of these letters makes it especially easy to fit audience-selected words in.
There's certainly a lot of other skill involved, both in prep, and in execution, but I think as Penn & Teller would say, "you did not fool us."
Try it yourself
good catch man, very nice
how?
The girl at the beginning ist pushing the card with 8 fingers to her heart, wow, magic...
Great stuff David!
Don't get fooled, that lady held the card with 8 fingers, close to her heart...
how?
I guess if you're a magician it's not hard to do a thing where someone picks a card and you know what it is? Or else you force them to pick a card that you want them to. That's the kind of thing magicians do all the time, right?
Right
It's amazing what magic you can create with planted accomplice's in the audience.