There are many links between mathematics and magic: on the one hand, mathematical principles have usually been used to design magic games and, conversely, various techniques specific to magia may give rise to mathematical models whose properties are of great interest in recreational mathematics. In this work we show this duality by linking Josefo’s famous problem and its variants to specific cardboard mixes used in some magic games with cards. To illustrate the educational nature of this problem, we also suggest some teaching activities to develop in a classroom.