Are you still amazed how the T-303 Lucky Strings Tenyo trick works?
How does it always end up with the last unselected string that is attached to the bell ball.
Well, you are in luck if you are reading this post, because you would find out the hidden secret of this close up trick.
It uses a connecting gimmick that holds all the strings together inside the folder.
I would explain and illustrate how this mechanical trick is done, together with the psychology behind this magical illusion.
This is another post from the Info Ruckus Tenyo Magic Trick Secrets Revealed series.
Effect:
A folder with five short strings extended from the top, and at the bottom is a longer string attached with a bell ball.
Magician asks the spectator to choose any of the five strings at the top of the folder.
If he is lucky, the string which he selects would be the one that is attached to the bell ball.
He gives him four chances to try his luck.
If not, it would come off as a short string by itself.
Surprisingly, after making the forth choice, yet he is out of luck, so to speak.
None of the four freely selected strings are attached to the bell ball.
Then the magician gives a light tuck at the long string with the bell ball below, and the top short string with the sticker starts to move.
Apparently the fifth string is the one with the bell ball.
Then he holds the bell ball, and pulls out the whole string downward from the bottom of the folder.
Watch the Lucky Strings 2023 by Tenyo Magic demo video:
Lucky Strings Tenyo Trick Secret Revealed
The concept of Tenyo T-303 Lucky Strings is by Hiroki Tanaka, who is also known for his T-269 Psycho Gravity, T-291 Note-A-Bill, and T-285 Dice Hopper.
When I viewed the official demo by Tenyo Magic Japan, I still could not make out the trick secret.
The only clue is, he pulls the string with the bell ball out of the folder from the bottom.
He doesn’t pull it upward just like all the other four strings earlier.
As it is a free choice selection, definitely each of the five short strings is individual by itself.
Meaning, they are separate strings, and they do not join with the longer string with the bell ball below.
Logic tells me, the gimmick must be some kind of attachment, which temporarily holds all the strings together.
Tenyo Lucky Strings Trick Gimmick Connector
It is only after watching this video, I think I know the method of this pocket trick.
I noticed the different ways he holds the folder during the act.
It has to do with the gimmick hidden inside the folder.
The gimmick is sort of a connecter between the final fifth string and the string with the bell ball.
Since I do not own or have seen the actual 2023 Lucky Strings Tenyo prop, this is just my speculation.
The so-called gimmick connector could be a piece of acrylic sheet or a hard cardboard.
The short five strings are at the top part of the gimmick, and the long string with the bell ball is at the bottom.
It is a hub where all the strings are assembled together, and tied with a piece of rubber band or a clip, as illustrated below.
- UPDATE Feb 2025: It appears my speculation of the gimmick is very identical. Someone sent me this video link that reveals Tenyo Lucky Strings.
How To Perform The Trick
After preparing the strings with the gimmick piece, place them inside the folder.
Use one of your hands to hold onto the hidden gimmick hidden inside the folder.
As the spectator makes his selection, you just pull the short string out accordingly.
Hold Onto The Gimmick Connector
Watch how his left hand holding the folder when he pulls out all the four short strings from 1:15.
His left fingers and thumb are at the center of the folder.
Actually he is holding onto the gimmick connector from moving, as he pulls out all the four strings.
This is to prevent it from moving when he is pulling out the four short strings.
When it comes to the final string, at 1:34, he changes his left fingers and thumb position.
Hold On The Folder
Now he is holding the sides of the folder.
He has let go of the gimmick piece that has the last top string and the bottom string with the bell ball.
The gimmick piece is now hanging loose inside the folder with the two remaining strings, as illustrated below.
They are both held by the rubber band or clip.
He can jiggle them up and down, to suggest they are of the same string.
Then at 1:39, he changes his left hand position back, holding the middle of the folder.
He needs to cling onto the gimmick piece lightly, so he can pull the gimmick piece downward, thus dragging the top string into the folder.
As the top short string is safely concealed inside the folder, he continues to pull the string with the bell ball out.
Leave Gimmick Connector Inside Folder
At the end of the trick, the gimmick piece with the final short string is left inside the folder.
There is a catch-piece with a hole attached at the bottom of the folder, to prevent the gimmick piece with the short string from dropping out.
It could probably look something like this:
This is what I think is the method of the Lucky Strings Tenyo 2023 trick.
Psychology Of Lucky Strings By Tenyo
People believe in luck because it can help them cope with uncertain and unpredictable situations.
Studies suggest that luck is more about psychology than probability, and it is not a random occurrence.
The phenomenon luck manifests itself in a different ways, but we like to be in control.
That’s is why this Tenyo Lucky Strings magic trick is mysterious and magical.
Their choices are completely free, yet they would always miss the string with the bell ball.
DISCLAIMER: This post is only for informational purposes.