Magic Tricks With Coins

Magicians, especially professional magicians, tend to guard their secrets jealously. It is rare indeed to find a performer who would reveal the secrets of their art to the uninitiated or to colleagues. Very few of these individuals would indeed reveal the magic tricks they have developed on their own for love or money.

Nowadays books, videos, leaflets and other items available at bookstores and on the internet (even whole websites devoted to magic) have gone a long way towards explaining simple magic tricks. Amateur magic enthusiasts can even find the occasional magic convention to show them how to perform some of the more complicated magic tricks. All these things however are recent developments.

Right up till the end of the 19th century there were very few books or teachers of magic. Outsiders wishing to ‘break into’ the art found it an uphill and often frustrating task. The magic community itself was a closely knit group where magic was concerned, and made it a point of honour to collectively close ranks against all would be new comers.

‘Discoveries of magic’ by Reginald Scott, which was printed in 1584, is one of the first books ever printed that gave an insight into magic. Today, even with the existence of such organizations as the International Brotherhood of Magicians, there are still some organizations which make it a condition of membership to NOT divulge their art to non magicians.

Magic tricks themselves can range over a diverse arena that includes everything from the old pulling a rabbit out of a hat trick and mind reading to more complicated forms of magic. These will involve levitation, using handcuffs and replacing your assistant with a Bengal tiger.

Be that as it may, coin and card tricks are still performed in every magicians act. They are some of the easiest and simplest tricks to perform. They require nothing more ingenious than a sleight of hand and a good routine to pull off a creditable performance.

Popular modern magicians include such names as David Copperfield, David Blaine, Siegfried and Roy, Chris Angel and a host of others. These magicians have become household names due to their fantastic, unexplainable and often mind boggling magical performances.

However, the most famous of all magicians is Harry Houdini (1805 - 1871), the son of a Hungarian rabbi who started out as a watch maker. He then went on to become one of the greatest magicians in the world. Houdini is best known for his escapology – the ability to escape from any form of restraints - tricks.

As you see there are many different tricks that are employed by magicians. These magic tricks are what makes these magicians so fascinating to us. The many different magic tricks you will find are part of the atmosphere of magic.



By: Muna wa Wanjiru

About the Author:

I love the intimacy of close-up magic and especially the challenging work of maintaining a variety of relationships with several people at the same time. This maintenance is achieved in many ways, though ultimately much of it comes down to sigh, sound and touch. Glances, words and physical contact.

Of course, very few routines are constructed in such a way that you touch every member of the audience (without going to jail.) Though you can direct your comments towards a single member of a crowd, your words are usually heard by everyone present. Which is why, to first initiate and then develop different relationships with the individual personalities making up your audience, glances can often be the most effective means.

You glance at a spectator, then shift your glance to a second spectator, and as your glance shifts, the first spectator glances at a third spectator. And so it goes, everyone ceaselessly “checking in” with each other even as you all take part in the group activity of creating the magic effect. A glance takes but a moment to deliver and receive, and in that moment an incredible amount of information and feeling can be conveyed. At the same time, glances can be completely private, even while surrounded by other people. And unlike words said above a whisper, every glance can be sublimely tailored to the moment and recipient.

Even a fleeting glance directly into the eyes of another human being is a multi-layered event analogous to two mirrors suddenly turned to face each other, creating an opportunity for an almost infinite interplay. Looking into the eyes of a member of the audience, I see them just as surely as they see me. And they see that I see them. And I see that they see me. And so on.

During a performance of close-up magic, I am forever shifting my gaze from participant to participant, and as the show unfolds, these glances acquire a history, even a familiarity. As a result, we begin to see each other in a richer, more individual light. When I look into someone’s eyes, it is as if I have just dropped a penny into a well with no idea of how far it may fall. Sometimes I discover the well is frozen and the penny’s descent is stopped dead. More often, the waters are more receptive. And quite regularly, the coin falls deeper than I can gauge.

My job as a performing artist is to follow the coin and make the most of wherever it lands. Words and touch are undoubtedly transcendent tools, but when it comes to nurturing unique, individual relationships in a close-up magic setting, the eyes definitely have it.



By: Jay Sankey

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In order to become a great magician, someone must get a few things down and stick to them if they want to be successful for sure. It is very important that you make sure you practice your tricks in front of a mirror so you can see the trick the exact same way that the audience would.

Another thing you also have to do, is to practice a lot. There is no such thing as too much practice you would never want your magic trick to go wrong. There is a saying and it is practice the “patter” as well as the trick.

It is a very good idea to figure out before hand what you want you will say during your shows instead of just rambling on about random things that don‘t make sense. Good patter will help distract the audience just enough to keep them from guessing how you’ve pulled off your magical tricks even if you are doing it right before their eyes.

Now it doesn’t matter how much people beg and plead to find out how you did your magic trick. Always resist the temptation to tell how the trick worked, always keep them guessing and they will be even more impressed with your show. The less people that know how to do your trick, the better it is for you.

Never do the same trick more than once for the same audience. It makes it too easy for the audience to guess how it was done and also if you do the same trick over and over again people will get bored of your show and tell their friends that it’s no longer entertaining.

Wherever you can, borrow the objects from the audience… coins, pencils, napkins, etc. Borrowing from the audience makes it seem like the magician has not had time to do anything sneaky to the item they are using for the trick. This makes everything seem more magical not only that but it’s always great to have the audience involved.



By: Munya Chinongoza

About the Author:

 

One of them most important parts of learning beginner magic tricks is to understand the performance aspects behind the tricks. This article explains the importance of performing and what is needed to do it well.

 

Performing a magic show is when you will either make or break yourself as a magician. What the audience doesn’t realise is the amount of preparation involved in planning the show. To them you’ll be performing what appear to be miracles using only your hands and everyday objects that you can find in any household.

 

The famous magician Houdini was a master of the art of obtaining free publicity. No performer ever put on as many free shows for the purpose of breaking into print, and for that matter, few if any, were ever as liberal as he in the matter of entertaining lodges and other groups without charge. Houdini was out in less than a minute. The resulting media blitz established him forever as the world’s greatest escape artist.

 

Performing is about your presentation and how you perform in front of an audience, what counts is your timing and how you add humour into the mix. This is important because you need to distract the audience when performing magic. Get on stage and perform badly, and the worst that can happen is that people will laugh when your trick doesn’t work out the way you feel it should have.

 

Magic tricks are not only great for stage and street performance but are also well suited for entertainment at parties or as ice breakers at small gatherings. Magic tricks are also a fun way to add some light-heartedness and “wow factor” to your presentations. The points you make and the comedy aspect of the magic usually come from the ‘patter’ (what the magician says while doing the trick).

 

Performing magic tricks is exciting and can be profitable. Almost every magician starts performing magic as a hobby, with coin magic tricks and card magic tricks. Performing magic tricks builds self-confidence and self-esteem. It improves hand-eye co-ordination. Performance and style - the best magicians are memorable not only because of their tricks, but because of the way they perform them. Give a thought to your appearance, your voice, your humour, your props and your location when performing a magic show.

 

Practice and reinvention can help a lot in getting near that coveted status of a recognised magician — the famous and most loved one. Practice only makes a particular move perfect, or at least perfectly attainable. Thoughtfulness and planning will make a routine perfect.

 

Acting, or knowing how to mislead your audience with appropriate facial expressions and body language, helps create an air of mystery in any performance. Magic has changed, however some of it’s magician’s haven’t. Acts can be spellbinding or just sheer funny, with elaborate equipment. Magicians might ask for an assistant to add variety.

 

Magic won’t stop until people stop paying attention to it. Magic tricks have been a popular form of entertainment for many years. Originally people who practised illusions and sleight of hand were thought to be powerful wizards and witches.

 



By: David Bowley

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Cards, coins, flying doves, jumping rabbits are all part of magic. These many items are used as tools for a magic act. While most of the items that are used in magic acts are beyond the scope of new magicians there are others that can be used. For the new magician free magic tricks are especially useful to have in your selection of magic.

These different types of free magic tricks are one that anyone who is interested in doing magic can try. The tools of the trade will be basic items that you can easily find and buy. You may want to try your hand at the very easy magic tricks to begin with. These free magic tricks will be the ones that you can perform with cards and coins.

To perform one of these many different free magic tricks the first step you will need to follow is to know the magic trick you will be trying out. The best way to accomplish this task is to find a book of magic tricks. These books are available at your local library, at various book stores and you can even find some on the internet.

Once you have found what steps are required to perform the tricks you should practice at least one until you can execute the trick flawlessly. To make these different free magic tricks that you are working on look fabulous there are various atmospheric tricks that you can use.

These are part of the showmanship that captures the interest of people. Once their interest has been caught you will leave them wondering how you performed your trick. The best types of free magic tricks will show you all of the hidden secrets that need to be done for the trick to work successfully.

Some of these tricks are well know card tricks that many magicians have done. If you can pull these tricks off without your guests knowing what has happened then you can call the trick successful.

The many different free magic spells that you can try does not have to be contained only to the sphere of magic acts. These free magic tricks can be ones that you do for reason of personal well being. As magic can be used in different ways the magic tricks can be used in these ways too.

Magic is one aspect of life that we thoroughly enjoy. The many different spells and magic tricks that are known to have been used throughout history keeps magic alive in our minds. For people who don’t have any gift in magic free magic tricks are great ways to experience the wonder of magic.



By: Muna wa Wanjiru

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It’s always enjoyable performing magic tricks for an appreciative audience. Once you get a few magic tricks under your belt, you’ll be hooked on performing your craft because there is something really rewarding when a well executed magic trick leaves your audience in disbelief and applauding all at the same time… and that’s the real magic.

The element of doubt in the mind of your audience is the key to a good magic trick. Just a dab of doubt and you can see the people in your audience start to question their rational… and for that moment the illusion is truly magical.

Being in touch with your audience is the showmanship part of the magic trick and is vitally important. It is also the most fun part as a performer. The look in their eyes, their laughter all make it worthwhile.

When you first start out performing magic tricks, there is a good chance that the bulk of your audiences will be comprised of children. In the eyes of the kids your tricks will truly be magical and the look of the faces and the giggles from the children are a reward like no other.

A child’s imagination and the art of a magic trick are a wonderful combination. A child’s imagination is a wonderful enhancement to any magic trick. It’s that unique and innocent perception of the world that kids have that make performing magic tricks for them all the more rewarding.

Even something as simple as the disappearing coin trick will have kids giggling with joy as you first make the coin disappear then reappear from one of the children’s ears. They’ll love and beg you to do even more with them! And if you can’t get hooked on the innocent reaction of children then you can’t get hooked at all.

The best part about performing magic tricks for kids is that kids just know how to be kids… after all that’s exactly what they are. And magic to kids is just that… magic. I mean… after all… what is the major draw to Disney World for kids… well… Magic Kingdom… of course!

If you are just taking up learning a few magic tricks, an audience full of kids is a great way to get started. And even though you may decide to take your magic tricks to even higher heights, you’ll never have a better audience than a room full of young children.

So don’t worry about starting small… as in kids… you’ll probably find that you’ll always enjoy working your magic with the kids.



By: Tammy Foster

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Coin tricks are one of the most respected and entertaining forms of magic. So if you want to perform professional looking coin tricks it’s vital to develop the ability to palm objects.

Palming is a technique that allows you to hold or conceal an object in your hand. As the name suggests it involves hiding the object (for example, a coin) in the palm of your hand, although other versions of palming involve the use of your fingers or thumb.

When done skillfully, you should be able to palm a coin while conveying the impression that your hand is empty. Top magicians continue the illusion by maintaining unnatural hand positions with both hands so that the hand used to palm the object in question looks less noticeable.

There are three main palming techniques that can be used to conceal coins.

1) The Classic Palm: This is the most common method and involves holding a coin between the muscle at the base of the thumb and the fleshy part on the edge of the hand. The coin is kept in place using a small amount of lateral pressure. Ideally, you should use just enough pressure to keep the coin in place when your palm is facing down. Any more pressure will make your hand look unnatural and defeat the purpose of the palming technique. With practice you’ll soon know the right amount of pressure to use.

When practising this technique there’s a natural tendency to hold your thumb further away from your fingers in order to increase the amount of grip that you can apply to the hidden object. If possible, try to resist this temptation as it can give people a clue that your hand isn’t as empty as you might like them to believe.

Try practising in front of a mirror until you can use the classic palm technique to hide coins of all shapes and weights in a natrual manner.

And when you start practising, it’s a good idea to use the largest, yet lightest coin that you can find. For example, the American half dollar is a perfect size for practising and the fact that is has a strongly milled edge provides more grip. In contrast, smaller and heavier objects take more skill to palm naturally.

2) The Finger Palm: This is a slightly easier way to conceal a coin. From being displayed at the end of all five fingertips, the coin is released and slips down inside the hand to the crease in the skin where your fingers meet the palm of your hand. This allows you to hold the coin securely using a natural looking hand position. It also has the benefit that your hand can be viewed from a wide range of angles without revealing the coin.

Often magicians reinforce this technique by combining it with misdirection or picking up another object. This further reinforces the idea that their hand is empty.

3) The Back Palm: This method of palming is used to conceal a coin behind your hand, while showing your audience that the palm of your hand is empty. It’s also the technique that magicians use when they pretend to pluck a coin out of the air or from behind a person’s ear. In most cases the coin is gripped between the pinkey and the finger next to it. The other fingers and the thumb are then used to conceal the coin.



By: Lucas Da Silva

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Here are three simple coin tricks to add to your collection of magic. They don’t take long to learn, they don’t need many special props and with a bit of practice they can amuse and delight people wherever you go.

Coin Trick 1: Money Making Magic

Your hands are empty and there are three coins on the table. You sweep the coins off the edge of the table and into your hand. When you open your hand, there are five coins instead of three.

The Secret: Before you begin, stick two coins to the underside of the table at the edge where you plan to do the trick. When you sweep the coins off the table with your right hand, detach the other two coins with your left hand. When you open your left hand, the three coins will have magically increased to five.

Coin Trick 2: The Teleporting Coin

A coin mysteriously travels from one hand to the other. Start with your palms face up on the table and a coin in the palm of each hand. Flip both hands over and when you remove one hand there’s nothing under it. When you remove your other hand, both coins are safely hidden under it.

The Secret: Place one coin in the palm of your left hand and another coin at the base of your fingers towards the right hand side of your right hand. Due to the positioning of the coins, when you flip your hands over the left coin will end up under your left hand, while the right coin will be pushed towards your left hand.

The trick should work automatically. If you flip your hands using enough speed, your audience won’t be able to see what happens.

Practice flipping your hands until you can get the trick right every time. The hand that fires the coin across should flip slightly before your other hand. It’s also important to make sure that the coins don’t collide and make a noise, which will reveal the secret of this trick.

Coin Trick 3: Mind Reading Money

When you leave the room or turn your back, someone from the audience hides a coin under a cup that’s placed in the center of the table. When you return to the room, you can guess the type of coin that has been hidden.

The Secret: Once a member of the audience has placed a coin in the middle of the table, your secret assistant places the cup over the coin. They use the handle of the cup to secretly inform you the value of the coin under it.

All you have to do is agree on a secret code. Each different handle position relates to a different value of coin. Just make sure that both of you are perfectly clear on the secret code that you’re using and can remember it without having to think about it.

The other advantage of this trick is that you can perform it anywhere in the world regardless of the currency.



By: Lucas Da Silva

About the Author:

Are you constantly amazed by disappearing acts, card tricks and other magic wonders you see on different occasions? Children’s shows, magical exhibitions, trade shows, parties, and carnivals are some of the events where magicians are popular.

Because of the effect of magic on people, many would like to somehow try the basics of magic. There are a lot of online sites that offer tips on how to get started with magic. Others just content themselves with ready-made gimmicks they found at magic shops. But for those who are really serious about trying magic, these magic-filled sites offer different services for newbie magicians. In their sites, they offer free videos that will help you become trained in simple card tricks and other vanishing acts with the use of coins, rings and other magic props.

Before starting to learn magic, you have to know the essence of magic. First, magic or magic shows should provide happiness to people. Magic ought to be truly enjoyed by people watching and by the magician performing. Second, a truly good trick should be remembered. Different methods can be tried in order to make your tricks stand out even more.

The best place to get excited about your first magic trick is in a local magic shop. Talk to the magician of the shop, if there is one, and try asking him basic questions. Then, request him to show a couple of tricks to you. Usually, magicians are very eager to help beginners.

A good magician does not mind putting in a lot of effort to learn and continuously practice his magic tricks and constantly reinvent. Good magicians don’t repeat tricks to the same audience. Your audience may figure out your secret. It is not long before people notice familiar moves and can get bored quickly.

Here are some tips:

a. Regularly practice your magic. Allot time every day for your practice.

b. If you are trying to videotape your act, be sure that you have no mirrors around you as they change views and the audience would not see what they ought to see. And remember do not appear as though you are unsure of what you are doing because your audience might easily lose interest watching when the magician looks not confident.

c. Ask other people to watch intently while doing your tricks, then ask for feedback.

d. Master one trick first before learning a new one.

e. Anywhere you go, make it a habit to bring magic props. Take some coins and a deck of cards with you so that if you have extra time, you can use it to practice the tricks.



By: David Riewe

About the Author:

In Scotland, Magic is a very popular hobby and is an excellent way of entertaining your friends and family. It is also very useful in business and can be used as a great “ice-breaker” when meeting new business contacts.

This series of articles will teach you some simple tricks, that you can perform anywhere, without any special equipment.

These types of tricks are called ‘impromptu’ by Magicians and are considered to be the most powerful and effective type of Magic you can perform.

The Perplexing Coins

This little novelty seems more of a puzzle than a trick. However, with the right audience and presentation, it can cause quite a stir.

How The Trick Appears To The Audience

The Magician points to three coins on the table.

He asks everyone to watch carefully as he counts them.

Rapidly, he picks them up one at time counting one,two,three.

He them lays them down on the table one at a time counting four, five, six.

He picks up one counting seven and another counting eight.

He pushes the remaining coin on the table aside and, without pausing, lays down the two coins in his hand one at a time, counting nine and ten.

This is seems simple and very easy to follow. However, when the Magician hands the coins to a friend, then they cannot do it, no matter how hard they try.

Even though you show them several times, no one can duplicate your actions.

How The Trick Is Done

It is done with an interesting bit if psychology.

The trick count will only work if you start the count with the three coins lying on the table. If you start with the three coins in your hand, then it is impossible.

So, you play a crafty trick on your friend. After you finish your count, you pick up the coins and hand them to him.

Because the coins are in his hand at the start, he will unwittingly start the count with the coins in his hand and get it wrong.

But, of course, you do not tell them that the starting position is important. You act as though it makes no difference where the coins are started to be counted from.

When performing the trick, do it quickly.

When he gets it wrong, pick up the coins and put them back in his hand and encourage him to try it again.

Do not give him time to think.

If someone else wants to try, then put the coins in their hands and ask them to do it.

A Variation

The secret of the trick can be concealed even more if you use someone’s hand instead of a table.

So, your starting position would be to place the three coins in his hand and then start the count.

The act of counting the coins from his hand to your hand makes it even more confusing.

Psychologically, it does not seem important whose hands the count starts from - but, of course, it does.

Practice this trick well before showing it to anyone.

If Someone Does Gets It Right

Congratulate them and ask them to do it again. Very often they cannot. However, if the do get it right a second time, then don’t worry. Ask them to keep it a secret and hand the coins to someone else for them to try. The person who was successful will feel flattered you are letting him in on the trick.

You will have a lot of fun with this.

N.B. You do not have to use coins. You could use matches, small packets of sugar in a restaurant, or any other small objects that are handy.



By: Michael Breck

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