The Trick That Fooled Einstein is most closely associated with mentalist Al Koran. He first marketed it as Jackpot Coins. Here's the basic effect:
The performer and spectator grab a handful of coins (quarters) from a jar of coins on the table. The magician/mentalist then makes three statements about the number of coins they hold:
- “I have the same number of coins as you." [Alternate: “I have as much money as you do.”]
- "I have taken two more coins than you..." [Alternate: “I have an extra pesky 50 cents that we’ll get rid of...”]
- "...And I will have enough coins left over to make your total 20 coins." [Alternate: “....And I have enough left over to make
your total $5.00."]
Both the magician and the spectator count their coins and the magician’s statements are proven to be true!