Mating Game by Larry Becker

EFFECT

The mentalist displays six small envelopes. Three of these are WHITE and the remaining three are GREY in color. Also displayed are six One Rupee Coins. Two of them are 2014's. Two are 2015's. Two are 2016's. Any spectator is instructed to seal a 2014, 2015 and 2016 coin in the three white envelopes and likewise the remaining 3 coins of 2014, 2015 & 2016 years to be sealed in the three grey envelopes.

(Note: The spectator can place any coin in any envelope and the mentalist does not touch either the coins or the envelopes.)

When the spectator has finished sealing the six envelopes, he is instructed to hand the mentalist either the Grey or the White set of envelopes... after he has thoroughly mixed both sets. The mentalist places his three envelopes in his jacket pocket and tells the spectator to do the same. The mentalist places an empty glass on the table.

To begin the experiment, the mentalist reaches into his pocket and withdraws one of the three sealed envelopes which he immediately hands to the spectator. The spectator is told to do likewise, handing the mentalist one of the three envelopes in his pocket. Both now open up their respective envelopes. Turning their backs to one another, the spectator and the mentalist remove the coins sealed in the two envelopes. Both men (Mentalist & Spectator) check the year on the coin they have removed and after dropping same into the empty tumbler, proceed to write the year of their coins on the envelope each they’re holding. The mentalist tells the spectator to fold his envelope in half with the writing inside and to place it on the table, tent-like. The mentalist does the same and places his folded envelope on top of the spectator's. The same procedure is followed with the remaining two envelopes. At this point, there are three sets of nested envelopes on the table. Each set consists of one GREY envelope and one WHITE envelope. The spectator is asked to now hold up and display each set of envelopes. Believe it or not, each envelope matches with its pair. In other words, the coins have been mysteriously paired by years...two 2014's, two 2015's and two 2016's.

An unbelievable coincidence, and remember:

·         The spectator seals the coins in the envelopes.

·         The spectator mixes the envelopes.

·         The spectator selects the set to be used by the mentalist. And the mentalist removes each of his envelopes before the spectator does likewise. Naturally, everything can be left for examination, from now to dooms day.