I have heard so many versions and variations of this story. Does any body know exactly what happened. I know for a fact that Vernon exagerated because I've heard him say "Houdini didn't do magic" and I know he did. My opinion is that Vernon fooled Houdini with a double backer when it was still rare and not known by most magicians. Before you could sign on to www.dellusionist.com (I think sirbrad came up with that) and buy a gaffed deck. I mean if you think about how you use the double backer, it is quite confusing to someone who has never seen one before.

What are your opinions!

Vernon tells the story on the Revelations videos. The clip, or at least the story as told by Ricky Jay, is probably still on YouTube.

Yes but how much truth is spoken?

Jay tells the story exactly as Vernon did. I wasn't around in 1926 to validate it, but Vernon claimed to have kept the card until he died.

Most magicians are a dude with a bunny on their business card. I can see how Houdini could have been fooled. (He quit using the monicker King of Kards after all).

Here is a video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeMm9pSr_RU

From what is shown, no double backer is necessary. Just a tilt and DL.

That's nice for the documentary, but it's not how Vernon explained it. It's fairly well known that he didn't use a "Tilt" but a DF and a DL. He would cleanly insert the card second from the top under the DF(not the center of the deck) and turn the double, letting the DF (unknown to Houdini at the time) camoflage the double, leaving him set up to do it again and again.

Dave meant DB, not DF, but the point is the same.

You're right. I did. Sorry about that.

It's no secret that Vernon detested Houdini. Houdini wasn't fond of Vernon either, especially since Vernon fooled him.

The story is true though. That is why their was so much dislike between them. They were both very proud men, and were offended by each other.

It's true, it was a second-from-the-top thing... It's explained in detail in Dai Vernon: A Biography by David Ben. Apparently Houdini stated that he could figure out any effect within three viewings of it. Vernon did it for Houdini SIX times and he was baffled.

Houdini was an arrogant [edited] in real life, especially to Vernon. I recall a magician recommending that Houdini improve his card palming by taking lessons from Vernon. Houdini simply lost it and punched this man in the face in rage. Sadly, the punched man was a long time fan of Houdini's and actually idolized him. How awful would that be to have such a terrible exchange with your idol?

HAHA yeah I did, that is funny that that is edited now. I still fool magicians today with double backers and double facers. Most are looking for "advanced technique" so it is even easier. Just goes to show you that "simple" is always better. It is a cimmon misconception that many "beginners" have that something must be knuckle-busting" in order to fool someone.

I didn't know exposure was allowed...

I don't use 'The trick that fooled houndini much', but it's pretty cool, also this was at a time when gaffs wern't used as much as now days.

lol a DL fooled houdidni

No ^

A gaffed card + tilt illusion + DL fooled Houdini.