04-07-2025
Teaser 3275
Against the Odds
I have taken a number of playing cards (more red than black) from a standard pack of 52 cards and distributed them in a certain way in two piles, each containing both red and black cards.
A card is taken at random from the smaller pile and placed in the larger pile. The larger pile is shuffled; a card is taken at random from it and placed in the smaller pile.
There is a one in eight chance that the number of red and black cards in each pile will be the same as they were originally.
How many black cards in total were used?
Send your solution to: The Sunday Times Teaser 3275, PO Box 29, Colchester, Essex CO2 8GZ or email The first two correct solutions opened after next Saturday each win a £20 Waterstones voucher. Open to 18+ UK & ROI residents only.
Solution to Teaser 3273
52
The winners are: N Jones, Gillingham, Dorset; A Skidmore, Ripley, Derbyshire.
