Balls, Eggs, Dice & Cups

A red sponge ball is displayed openly, both the performer's hands being clearly seen to be otherwise empty. Curling his left hand into a loose fist, the magician pushes the red sponge ball inside and then blows on the hand. Immediately the fist is opened to reveal the ball has changed to yellow and both hands are once again genuinely empty.

This simple effect includes a principle that you will be able to use in many other effects. No gimmicks are required.

video 3:57

This was originally distributed with a couple of gaming shells from India. This ebook does not include any such shells, just the instructions.

Gaming shells are used as a kind of die substitute. Due to their shape, they can land one of two ways. Typically several such shells are cast and then all the ones landing in the same orientation are counted. Several tricks using these shells are explained.

• The Sure One in Four
• The Silent Call
• Mystic Twenty
• The Coin and the Shell
• Hypnotising a Matchbox
• Burning Water
• The Strange Live Spirit
• Disproving a Theory
• Psycho Crime Detection
• Transmutation ...

Just as Don presented it on TV. The move is so good you'll fool yourself. This trick had a lot to do with Don Alan's success on TV and in countless personal appearances. In fact, the very first time Don had a chance to do a trick for anyone connected with TV - in this case the director of a new show - he performed this effect. He was hired at once and began his long and sensational career. It's that good.

This beautiful routine uses a brass bowl (not supplied), or a single cup from your regular Cups and Balls set. The cup is not gimmicked in any way. Also needed are four sponges, which...

The sponge ball routine, in the hands of a capable performer, is one of the most astounding feats one can do, as the magic happens in the hands of a spectator. Garcia's routines are among the best of the best. Illustrated by Harvan with 17 drawings to show you how to master the routines and moves.

The booklet includes The First Routine, Lesson in Misdirection with the Magic Count, Garcia's Krazee Sponges, Perfect Sponge Vanish, Basic Routine for Beginners, Color Change Routine, Square and Cube Routine, plus suggestions by a working pro.

Here's your chance to add new moves, ideas and...

This is the exact routine as used by Mark Leveridge in his commercial close-up work and also to open all his children's shows. No new concepts, no 'flashy' moves, just a thoroughly professional and entertaining routine that has proved its value over countless performances.

There are few more popular routines with lay people than the sponge balls, and Mark Leveridge's fast-paced sequence will provide you with a practical version that you will quickly learn and use.

1st edition 1984, PDF 11 pages.

The Multiplying Balls is a favorite trick all over the world. Though a very old trick, it is popular because magicians are regularly adding their own presentation and moves to it, to make it something new and different. The basic effect is that one ball held between the magician's fingers multiplies to two, then three and finally four balls.

No balls are included with the ebooks. Any well-stocked magic shop will be able to supply you with the necessary balls and gimmicks.

• Multiplying Balls
  • The Basic Multiplying Move
• Palming
  • The Regular Palm
  • The Finger Palm
• Productions ...

When you think of Albert Goshman what usually comes to mind is his coins under the saltshakers. Unfortunately, this, like Rene Lavand's crumb trick, takes a lifetime of devotion to master. But Albert left us something else, his revolutionary take on the sponge balls. This startling effect is within the skill range of every serious student of magic. If you already perform this in some form, you can add his version in minutes, after acquiring a few easily obtained supplies. You may already have them among your props.

Also included is a suggestion for an astounding opening effect to add to your sponge ball...

A sleight-of-hand reference work for cards, coins, billiard balls, and thimbles.

Magic without Apparatus is the first English translation of La Prestidigitation sans Appareils, which has been recognized by authorities on magic as the world's greatest treatise on legerdemain with cards, coins, billiard balls, and thimbles. The French edition elicited such comments as these:

Leo Rullman (Connoisseur of magical literature): "The greatest work on pure sleight-of-hand in any language."

Professor Hoffmann (Author of Modern Magic, More Magic, Later Magic): "A contribution of the first rank to the literature...

This manuscript explains two routines, one which does not require any sleight-of-hand, and a second one that requires some basic moves such as a vanish, false and secret loading.

1st edition 1993, 14 pages; PDF 11 pages.

This manuscript explains basic routines and moves for the chop cup, with additional moves and routines by Goutam Guha and Mahadevananda.

1st edition 1993, 20 pages; PDF 17 pages.

Do you perform the Three Shell game/con? Have you thought about doing the Three Shell game? If so, this is a must, decades-held, secret underground move for you. This ruse adds an auditory convincer to the otherwise purely visual con. Easily executed; stunningly entertaining and deceptive. This is a move you will use.

Here are the reactions of well-known Shell Game workers with whom it was recently shared.

"Very Clever." - Pop Haydn

"An amazing idea I love it." - Terry Ward

"Brilliant!" - Michael Stehle

1st edition 2022, PDF 1 page, video 3:02.

From the introduction:

This is the third eBook in the series and a companion to Single Stone, and Pair fo Stones with completely different effects and additional sleights/moves plus special stratagems to take advantage of the unique qualities of "3-4 objects."

Learn how to use three objects like walnuts or candy to perform astounding and entertaining illusions of transportations, penetrations and transpositions and productions. There is a large focus on assembly effect

A blending of sway methods, innovative sleights, insightful stratagems and the elements of performance using 'found' objects in a true impromptu setting. (Many techniques...

A revised and enlarged version of his previous work on this subject. Four dice are tossed on the table, a dice cup put over the first one, and with quick movements, the dice cup is slid over each of the others in turn. Then the cup is lifted, and all four dice are stacked one on top of the other. It is a beautiful close-up trick, easy to learn with the help of this ebook. Many illustrations and dotted here and there with typical Crandall funnies.

1st edition 1974, 18 pages; PDF 25 page.

Here's the highly sought-after inside scoop on manipulating fair dice to come up with a desired point total. The same confidential information as sold by crooked gambling supply houses in the early to mid-1900s. Advertised as the most complete work of its kind ever published, it contains the real work for magicians, gambling lecturers, casino training, and law enforcement. Each shot is fully described and, where necessary, line drawings help explain the moves.

The combined effort of several players, this volume was originally sold for the equivalent of $50.00 in order to keep it out of...

Gregg Webb presents ideas using sponge balls and a folding box based on Slydini's "Paper Balls to Hat." The trick uses sponge balls and a folding cardboard box. Here, you will learn:

• How to vanish several sponge balls one at a time
• Cause the sponge balls to reappear from a small cardboard box

1st edition 2021, PDF 2 pages with illustrations by Gregg Webb.

This is the second eBook in the series and a companion to Single Stone, with completely different effects and additional sleights/moves plus special stratagems to take advantage of the unique qualities of "exactly two."

Learn how to use two objects like walnuts or candy to perform astounding and entertaining illusions of transportations, penetrations, color-changes, productions, and vanishes.

A blending of sway methods, innovative sleights, insightful stratagems, and the elements of performance using 'found' objects in a true impromptu setting. (Many techniques can be used in other venues/settings.) ...

1st edition 2021, video 14 min.

An ingenious alternative to a Chop Cup where the 'cup' is constructed "on the fly" from a magazine sheet while spectators make paper balls, or crumple dollar bills. No gimmicks! The trickery is built into the cup itself and undetectable. There are moves not possible with a standard Chop Cup and ends with a transport to a spectator's hand who keeps the cup and ball. No difficult sleights or handling as the Fold Cup does its thing automatically. But, the special techniques taught moves the astonishment far above a traditional Chop Cup approach.

There are many suggested Effects with special...

How to use a single object like a walnut to perform astounding and entertaining illusions of transportations, penetrations, color-changes, productions and vanishes.

A blending of sway methods, innovative sleights, insightful stratagems, and the elements of performance using 'found' objects in a true impromptu setting.

FOUND - an object from the location: candy, pebble, nut, coffee creamer, etc. Nothing from your person, carried, prepared or gaffed. Just a 'stone' in reference.

IMPROMPTU - in response to a sudden request or chance opportunity.

SINGLE - 15 effects and several...

Expanded uses of a Chop Cup.

Theory, sleights and several unique effects. This explores flaws in traditional Chop Cup routines and offers solutions. Move beyond "what came in the box."

1st edition 2009, PDF 43 pages.

One cup effects using a silicone collapsible drinking cup.

Innovative sleights, moves, and effects created when the Boy Scouts changed to this cup in 2009. Now, many silicone cups are available. These methods work with them all. One can use crochet balls, or nuts, candy, pebbles - most any small objects. No need for the expensive versions from Europe. This came first and is much simpler.

Chop Cup? Yes, several ways to gaff this cup, but you don't have to. Many exciting magic effects without the limitations of the traditional gaff. Move beyond a Chop Cup. Move beyond a solid cup. Always...

• Settings
• Chapter Eight More Original Hull Effects
  • Rainbow Spheres
  • Novel Method Of Obtaining Balls
  • Ball Through Handkerchief
  • Finish For Ball And Hkf.
  • B. H. Latest Color Change
• Chapter Nine Special Balls
  • The Excelsior Ball Trick
  • Chameleon Ball
  • Multiplying Balls
  • Rouge Et Noir
  • Hkf. And Ball
  • Polychromatic Ball
  • Ball And Goblet
  • Ball And Hkf. Change
  • "Top Vest Servante"
  • Attachments
  • Ball - Holders
  • Ball Pull
  • Clutch Pull
  • Vanishing Ball
  • Henry Hardins Auto Vanishing Ball
  • The Sucker
  • Ball Spider
  • Other Apparatus
• Chapter Ten Special Balls Designed By Author
  • The "Poufe" Ball ...

Burling Hull was indeed an excellent billiard ball manipulator, and this is a very good introduction to the art.

Paul Fleming wrote about part 1 and 2:

A practical and commercial routine without difficult sleights.

From the Introduction:

On August 2nd, 1982, Martin Breese organized a John Mendoza lecture, which was taped for later release as a video. But Martin being the busy publisher he was had so many other projects to work on that he never got around releasing this recording. We rescued the recording from two old Umatic tapes Martin gave to me. Since this was recorded in the early 80s do not expect a high definition video. But it is nevertheless a good recording of Mendoza's lecture. The video has some flaws here and there with stripes, ghost images, and an occasional blackout. The audio track has no noticeable blackouts or problems....

Rene Lavand became known around the world for his version of this classic "Two in the hand, One in the pocket" sequence. Using only one hand, a few small balls of some soft substance and a lone coffee cup, he was able to fool and entertain all types of spectators for decades. This, then, is a streamlined, shortened version lasting less than a minute. It plays up the surprises without becoming monotonous. It can be performed silent or using brief patter.

EFFECT: Three small pieces of foam rubber are used along with a coffee cup. Two of the foam balls are placed into the cup. The remaining...

D. Terelmes is a performer who admits he tends to overthink things. He's been performing the chop cup for close to 40 years. Contained are his pet peeves on what he believes other performers (even top pros) are doing wrong when presenting the chop cup. You won't find any new sleights or new moves. Instead you might find a nugget or few that will change your approach as to how YOU perform and routine the chop cup.

He hopes to take the chop cup from the "obvious" trick that some consider it to be, to the miracle it can be; one that withstands repeat performances at street festivals and haunted...

Dice stacking is not only magical, but it is fun too. The art of scooping up a series of dice and stacking them one on top of the other is not nearly as hard as it looks. Professional juggler and entertainer Todd Strong has developed a method to easily teach you how to stack dice. In fact, using Todd's methods, you can learn to stack dice proficiently in just a few short hours.

Being a juggler, Todd has created numerous unique and highly visual dice stacking techniques, many of which magicians have never seen before, including fantastic aerial dice moves and two-handed stacking. You will...

Encyclopedia of the 3 shell game, completely exposed, revised and enlarged, including the latest routines, profusely illustrated, and comprehensively described.

• Forward
• Forward, Junior
• The Author Speaks
• Chapter 1 Point On Shells
• Chapter 2 The Correct Pea
• Chapter 3 How To Make A Pea
• Chapter 4 The Size Of The Pea
• Chapter 5 Working Surface
• Chapter 6 The 3 Shell Game
• Chapter 7 Fundamentals
• Chapter 8 Red, White & Blue
• Chapter 9 You Hold It
• Chapter 10 Over The Top
• Chapter 11 Double Pea
• Chapter 12 Back Hand Trick
• Chapter 13 Variation
• Chapter 14 Which One, Bub?
• Chapter 15 Open Hand...

This is a much later version of Slydini's classic routine cut down to a length more suited to today's short audience attention span. Any unnecessary moves have been eliminated. The sequence is written for right hand performers.

You will also receive a video with further explanations and demonstrations.

1st edition 2018, 3 pages + video

A series of original sleights with miniature billiard balls including an explanation of the author's ball stand and vanishing apparatus, and a thirty minute manipulative act.

Inspired by the name of a Dave Mayer routine entitled The Black Spotted Wooden Egg referenced by name only in a 1989 IBM Ring report, I constructed this five-minute routine for the venerable die box that has now entertained audiences for two decades. Between two volunteers acting out their parts on stage, and the entire audience creating the sound effects necessary for the story, no one is left without a part to play in this routine. It just might bring your die box out of the drawer.

1st edition 2018, length 7 min

From the introduction by Lewis Ganson:

A marvelous trick featured by many of the greats in magic. In effect a piece of paper is crumpled up and bounced on a fan. Visibly it assumes the shape of an egg - a full-sized egg - and this is removed from the fan and broken into a glass to prove genuine.

This special manuscript tells you all you need to know about this famous trick. The correct way to make the special egg at home and the correct way to store it. Various steals, types of fan to use, lead-up and follow-up tricks, etc., etc. A very valuable publication on this subject.

1st edition 1958, PDF 7 pages.

One-Ball cups and balls routine

One large ball and three cups are examined by the spectators. The magician's hands are empty - so are his pockets.

• Covered by a cup, the ball vanishes
• It jumps from cup to cup
• It penetrates the bottom of a cup
• It jumps from pocket to cup
• It appears under any cup the spectator picks
• It multiplies to three balls, one under each cup

• No special equipment required
• Performable under almost any conditions: close-up, standing, sitting, kneeling - even begging
• 5 second reset
• Do it in your (or someone else's) underwear
• Short, easy-to-follow,...

Learn how to make your own coconut cups for a three ball routine.

1st edition 2017, 16 pages.

Brick Tilley learned this routine in China from Mr. Fu in 1980. It is a 'cups and balls' routine but is performed with two rice bowls and three balls which appear to be small pieces of fruits. They are not really pieces of fruits but that is what they look like. Details of what they are and how to make them is in the ebook.

The video below is part one of a four part routine.

1st edition 2017, 5 pages.

This is one of the oldest magic tricks in history. The routine was developed by Ed Marlo and allows the performer to discard the shell during the performance. See video below.

1st edition 2017, 4 pages.

A pair of long forgotten touches for the three shell game including a mechanical walnut shell that steals and delivers the pea without sleight of hand. Also a working surface that collapses at will in case the operator needs to make a quick escape.

1st edition 2017, 4 pages.

Pins and Needles isn't your average Russian Roulette. First of all, it's funny. Until it becomes shocking! This mix of comedy and sudden drama will guarantee your audiences will be highly entertained.

Most effects in this plot tend to use disposable items, such as cups or bags, making them impractical for a close-up or walk-around scenario. Pins and Needles was created for this exact environment.

This illustrated PDF teaches the full presentation and script, as well as an insanely practical method to the Russian Roulette plot, allowing you to stay in complete control the entire time. ...

The original book Tips on Zombie was published in 1946 and has long been out of print. The Abbott Magic Company acquired the rights to this book. Neil Foster compiled the additional material and the book has been revised and greatly enlarged. Magic's Number One illustrator, Sid Lorraine, contributed the more than sixty detailed illustrations. If you are interested in performing the famous "Zombie" effect, you must have this ebook. The contents include:

• Zombie
• Zombie Gimmicks (6 different types)
• The Start on the Arm
• Zombie Vanish (4 methods)
• The John Calvert Story
• The No-Gimmick Zombie
• Will Desmond's...