Читать книгу Modern Coin Magic - J. B. Bobo - Страница 21

One of the most valuable of all coin sleights is a good method for switching one coin for another. Here is one that I have used with success under all conditions for many years. It can be used as an effect in itself or as the means for accomplishing numerous other effects, several of which will be found in the chapters that follow. Learn this sleight and you will have a valuable tool that will serve you well as long as you do close-up magic.

For the sake of clarity suppose you learn this with two coins of contrasting color, such as a silver half dollar and a copper English penny. Have the English penny concealed in finger palm position in your right hand while you show a half dollar in your palm up left hand. Pick up the half dollar with the first two fingers and thumb of the right hand, toss it back into the left hand and close the fingers over it. Do this again. For the third toss, the switch is made and the copper goes into the left hand instead of the silver, yet there is no perceptible change in movement. Regardless of which coin is thrown, the action appears the same.

Instead of tossing the silver coin the third time, the copper one is tossed, as follows: Always hold the visible coin (silver) between the first two fingers and thumb, Fig. 1. When ready to make the switch merely open the second, third, and fourth fingers slightly, releasing the copper coin, but retaining the half dollar with the forefinger and thumb, Fig. 2. It will be noted at this point that the silver coin is completely masked from the spectators’ view by the ex-tended second, third, and fourth fingers. Only a slight movement is necessary to place the half dollar in finger palm position where it is retained. This should be mastered so that all moves blend into one action of merely tossing a coin into the left hand.

The sleight is not difficult but requires practice to make it undetectable. Performed correctly it is impossible for anyone—lay—man or magician—to tell that a switch was made.

Remember to close the left hand over the tossed coin each time, and throw the coin in even, consistent speeds—not too fast, yet not too slow, either.

If it is desired to finish with the copper coin in the classic palm position, this can be accomplished as follows: Continue up to the point shown in Fig. 2, but instead of finger palming the half dollar curl the fingers inward pressing the coin into the palm (with the aid of the two middle fingers) and immediately snap the fingers over the closed left hand, which supposedly holds the coin. It is the snapping of the right fingers which covers the move of palming the copper coin.

Master the method first explained, and this one will come easier later. This is the preferred method of the two because it leaves the fingers of the right hand free to pick up other objects or handle them in a natural manner.

The first and most important thing to remember about this exchange is that it must be made under cover of a natural gesture and carefully timed to coincide with an appropriate remark.