by David Baker

When I first thought about this effect I completely got the wrong end of the stick. I thought the effect was to simulate an actual lottery with numbers from 1 to 49. My solution to this effect will follow the solution to the actual challenge of getting six balls pulled out to match a six digit number freely chosen.

Requirements: -

09 x Clear Forcing Bags
45 x Ping Pong Balls
01 x Sharpie
01 x Piece of Cardboard

Setup: -

On 6 balls write the number 1.
On 5 balls write the number 2.
On 5 balls write the number 3.
On 4 balls write the number 4.
On 5 balls write the number 5.
On 4 balls write the number 6.
On 5 balls write the number 7.
On 4 balls write the number 8.
On 5 balls write the number 9.

Place the balls into the force bags as follows: -

Side 1 Side 2

Bag 1 - 1,2,7,9, 1,1,1,1,1
Bag 2 - 2,2,2,2, 3,3,3,3,3
Bag 3 - 4,4,4,4, 5,5,5,5,5
Bag 4 - 6,6,6,6, 7,7,7,7,7
Bag 5 - 8,8,8,8, 9,9,9,9,9

Perfromance: -

Choose 6 random volunteers from the Audience to shout out a number from 1 to 9 inclusive. As each number is called it is written on the cardboard for everyone to see. Tell the audience members they can choose the same number as somebody else if they like(this is where the secret mainly lies, because the audience can choose the same digit more than once it gives you motivation to have more than 1 bag of numbers otherwise they wouldn't be able to pull out that number again). After the number has been written tell the audience about the game and bring out
bag number 6 from your case show that the bag contains 9 balls with numbers 1 to 9 on. Tell the audience that the bag will be eliminated after each go and a fresh bag of numbers will be used so that each time the probability of the spectator selecting the correct number will be harder. Put bag 6 back in the case. Invite the first spectator up whilst reminding yourself of the first digit by looking on the cardboard. Use the time it takes for the spectator to come up to select the correct force bag from the case. Force the ball on the spectator. Then call up the next member of the audience and use this time to put the first bag back, look at the cardboard for the next number and get the correct bag. Force the second ball on the spectator. Continue in this manner until finished.

Effect number 2 - Actual lottery simulation

Six spectators call out a number from 1 to 49 which is recorded on a cardboard sheet. Each spectator is then called up in turn and removes a ball from 1 bag only and the six balls match the six numbers called out.

Requirements: -

1 x Giant Force Bag (Construction Instructions Supplied)
1 x Sharpie
1 x Cardboard Sheet
1 x Assistant
49 x Ping Pong Balls
1 x Bucket

Setup: -

On 43 Balls Write numbers 1 to 43.
On 6 Balls write nothing.

Giant Force Bag is made by sticking a clear polythene bag inside another polythene bag.

Put the 43 balls in the center polythene bag and leave it off stage with assistant.

Performance: -

Select 6 volunteers. Ask each volunteer for a number between 1 and 49 inclusive. This time volunteers can NOT select the same numbers. When a number is called out it is written on the cardboard also secretly behind stage your assistant writes this number on a blank ping pong ball at the same time and drops it into the outer polythene bag. This continues until you have 6 numbers called out. You then invite a spectator up as your assistant brings the bag and bucket on stage. You tell the volunteer that you wish to eliminate some balls first and start pouring the center bag balls into the bucket. The volunteer is instructed to call out stop when they wish but you want to try and get rid of as many balls as possible. This will leave about 15 balls in the center bag but it doesn't really matter. You then get the volunteer to select a ball from the bag but you only let him grab a ball from the outer bag (the number of balls in the outer bag will not be noticed as much because you have emptied a lot of the balls from the inner bag). The volunteer is asked to keep his ball and not to look at the number and stand at the side of the stage. This is repeated with another 5 volunteers. When they have all selected a ball they are asked to come center stage and read aloud the ball they hold and throw it in the bucket. This is continued for all spectators and it is seen that each spectator has picked a ball that matches a number on the cardboard.

Mentions~:

I would like to mention an effect here that is on the flicking fingers dvd 'THE MOVIE on this DVD is an effect called the MONA LISA (Performance Only) this effect gave me the idea of eliminating balls before they are picked out.

I know its a lot to take (especially when writing this thing) but hopefully you get the idea.