Wiseman - 101 bets you will always win: the science of the seemingly impossible

To Quirkology fans everywhere

Lets try something right now.

Please place your hand flat on a table.

Next, bend your middle finger under your hand, so that the knuckle rests on the table like this. Perfect.

I bet that you cant lift your third finger up and down, and tap it on the table.

Sounds simple? No matter how hard you try, you wont be able to do it!

Congratulations, you have just carried out your very first bet, and now you can use it to amuse and amaze others.

But hold on. I can hear the more curious among you thinking, Thats great, but why does it work? Its an excellent question and I am glad you asked.

Your forearm muscles are connected to the bones in your fingers via tough cords of tissue called tendons. When you contract your forearm muscles the tendons tighten and your fingers move.

Your thumb, first finger and little finger each have their own tendon, but your middle and third fingers share a tendon. When you tuck your middle finger under your hand this tendon is stretched, and so cant move your third finger.

And why do these two fingers share a tendon? Because you use them to grasp large objects, and they are more effective if they work together. In fact, scientists think that this mechanism evolved to allow our primate ancestors to hold heavy stone tools.

So now you know. A moment ago it was a fun bet. Now it illustrates a vital stage in human evolution and has changed the entire course of history.

Oh, and you can take your hand off the table now.

This book is about how to perform the impossible. For years I travelled the globe in search of the worlds greatest bets and challenges. Leaving no stone unturned, I have tracked down 101 bets that appear totally impossible, yet are easy to win once you know the secret.

But there is more to these bets than impressing and entertaining your friends. They are also a gateway into serious science and fascinating facts, enabling you to impress others with your new-found knowledge of life, the universe and everything.

Its almost time to set off. Fasten your seat belt, because you are about to enter a weird world where nothing is quite as it seems. A world full of jaw-dropping stunts, scintillating science, and cunning conundrums. A world of 101 amazing bets you will always win.

Enjoy.

Richard Wiseman

Some of the bets involve everyday objects, such as glasses, knives and matches, that could potentially be dangerous in the wrong hands. We are not responsible for any physical or financial harm that you may suffer as a result of performing the bets, so read on at your own risk! If you turn the page well understand youre intrepid and thats all fine with you. Oh, and if youre young of mind, make sure you are supervised by an adult whenever you carry out a bet that involves fire or sharp objects. Many thanks.