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Yes, it’s time once again for this blog’s annual World Famous Magic Contest (“World Famous,” as in my local restaurant’s “Sam’s World-Famous pastrami-on-rye sandwich, one trip to the salad bar only, please”).
So here is the challenge this year:
Last year at a magic Convention I overheard the tail end of a conversation where a well-respected famous magician was saying to his companions, “Well, that’s because that’s the Greatest Trick in Magic…” I kept on eavesdropping, but I never heard just what that earth-shaking Greatest Trick in Magic was.
So your mission, Jim and Cinnamon, if you should choose to accept it, is to tell us what the three greatest tricks are in magic. But please don’t just list them. You must explain why you consider each trick a great one. Extra points for coherence, unexpectedness, humor, and persuasiveness.
And wonderful prizes, as always, will be awarded:
First prize is first choice from the terrific grab bag of wonderful magic books, tricks, and DVDs I’ve put together; second prize is second choice from the grab bag; and third prize, in a parallel, numerically pleasing manner, is third choice from the grab bag. The items in the grab bag are all commercial books, tricks, or DVDs, at least one of which, I guarantee, you will be very happy to own.
And in the spirit of everyone being a winner, I’ll also ask all entrants to allow me to make up a pdf file which includes their entry. This pdf will not be sold, but will be offered only as a free download to all those who enter.
Send your entries please to jshalom@worldshare.net
Make sure to put the word CONTEST in the subject line
Deadline Wednesday, Oct 31, 11:59 PM.
All are eligible except those who have won 1st, 2nd, or 3rd prize in the previous two years.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Well, I’ll take a break from preparing for my nationwide teaching on the new tax law. Here is my entry, and thanks for asking the question. Answering it was fun.I love your blog, you have wonderful taste in music and magic and comedy and life, in general. I thank you. The three greatest tricks in magic: They would have to be…
Hi Abe, Thanks for your entry! I deleted the rest of your text from the public area of this blog, but rest assured I have a copy of it and will carefully read it. Best, Jack
Do the tricks actually have to have been performed? Or can we include Dr. Strange tricks, or the legendary Indian Rope Trick?
Fair question, James. For the sake of the spirit of the context, let’s assume the trick is a part of Our Magic; that is, nothing supernatural or a non-verifiable legend.