Puzzle Paradox by Larry Becker and Lee Earle
The Mentalist shows two 11 x 14 inch jigsaw puzzles; one is fully assembled in a thin poster frame and the other is still boxed. He quips, One of the reasons jigsaw puzzles are - well, puzzling - is that they often use a picture that provides one set of patterns, cut into completely random shapes formed by yet another pattern. Most folks solve such puzzles through a process of elimination: they assemble the straight edged, outside pieces into a frame and then work their way toward the middle. Some puzzle addicts find it more challenging to assemble the puzzle face down. The performer shakes the pieces inside the box, then opens it for everyone to see the assortment of pieces inside. Each of you take one piece, please, he offers to three nearby participants, and do your best to memorize its unique shape. Taking another piece from the box and handing it to the first participant for comparison, the performer instructs. Cup them in your hands and mix them. It will still be simple to pick out your piece because there are but two choices. He retrieves them from the helper and tosses them back into the box. Approaching the next person, the mentalist withdraws three or four more pieces from the box and hands them to that helper, saying, Now you try it. It gets tougher with more pieces, yes Although I suppose with fewer than half a dozen different shapes, its still fairly easy. Those pieces are also returned to the box. For the third helper the performer says, Toss your piece back into the box. He gives the pieces a shake and holds the lidless box for the participant to view the contents, Your challenge is more complex; with a 250 piece puzzle, the odds against you finding your piece on the first try are 249 to 1. Unless, reminds the performer, you have assembled that puzzle so many times its burned into memory, as I have with this one. He places the lid on the box, hands it to helper #3 and instructs, Give the pieces a good shaking, please, then lift the lid just enough to
