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| Yep, we all like something for nothing
so here are three tricks for nix. These are beginners' level so they're
very easy. If you like these, then fill in the registration form via the
link on the home page and we'll email you our periodic free newsletter! |
Effect one - Coins - The five coin
predication
This is a good effect as it almost can't
fail, and it really gets people going!
Get five 10-cent pieces (or other coins of
the same value).
Out of sight, write "1" with a felt pen on
the face of one of them.
Turn that coin over to hide the number and
place it on the bottom of the stack.
Spread the coins in a row in front of the
spectator.
Explain that you want to make a prediction
- take some paper and a pen and without showing what you're writing, draw
a circle with a "1" in it (the circle is "misdirection" to confuse them
if they're watching what you're writing too closely).
Fold the paper in quarters and put it somewhere
in sight, or in their pocket etc.
Take the same felt pen and explain how you
will number the coins, start at number one - the coin that was on the bottom
of the stack - and number across to number five.
Now tell them what you're going to do. Explain
that in a moment you will give the coins to the spectator to shake and
toss back onto the table. Those that appear number side up we'll keep,
and those that land number side down we'll set aside. We'll repeat this
until there's only one coin left.
Demonstrate the facings with any one of the
coins (except number 1) as you explain this.
Pick up the coins left to right in a way that
minimizes the risk of dropping the one and exposing it. Pass them to the
spectator and ask them to shake them up and then toss them on the table
- psychologically they will now think they are in control.
They toss the coins and you remove those that
don't land number side up. Gather up the remaining coins and repeat.
Keep doing this until there is only one coin
left (number 1 of course).
Now say you had a hunch about this and ask
them to look at the prediction note!.
Gather up the coins and pocket them before
they have a chance to inspect them.
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Effect two - Cards - The homing
pigeons
This is a good example of misdirection,
and it works quite well too!
Prior to performing the effect, out of sight
of the audience remove the five of diamonds and six of hearts from the
deck. Go through the deck again and remove the six of diamonds and the
five of hearts - set these two cards aside, square the deck and hold it
face down - you're now ready to start.
Tell your spectators to imagine that the two
cards you have set aside are racing pigeons. Flash the faces of the six
of diamonds and the five of hearts to your audience, but in a casual way
that doesn't encourage them to memorize them.
Turn the two "pigeon cards" face down explain
that the deck is a basket. Ask a spectator to insert the pigeon cards separately
into the basket (deck) wherever they like.
Explain that homing pigeons are taken by train
for 200km into the country, as you do this, pick up the deck and hold it
in you right hand in the right hand lower corner of the deck (using a pinch
with your right thumb and forefinger - squeeze fairly hard to hold the
deck in position).
Explain that when the basket is opened, the
pigeons circle three times and head for home (make a circular motion with
your right arm, but don't expose the bottom card when you do this)
Now, squeeze hard and flick you hand - you
might also want to rub you thumb and forefinger across one another as you
do this - all the cards will fall on the table except for the very top
one and the very bottom one.
Turn the remaining cards over, and say, the
homing pigeons came home!
These two cards will not be the six of diamonds
and the five of hearts, they will be the five of diamonds and six of hearts
that you set up before the effect was performed. Most people will
not even notice as they look the same. This is an example of misdirection
at work - a very effective effect that anyone can perform.
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Effect three - Matches - The Magnetic
Matches
A very simple effect, but it's still good
fun.
Prepare a box of matches (out of site, before
you perform this effect) by snapping one match so that it is the width
of the tray.
Insert this match sideways into the tray and
press it down so that it is just above the top of the matches in the box
(you might need to remove some of the matches first so that you have room
in the box for the "cross bar.")
The idea is to have this match holding the
other matches in the box, but it should not be so big that if stops you
from opening and closing the box easily.
Now, you tell your audience that the matches
are magnetic. Open the box a little of the way (at the end away from the
cross-brace) to show that it contains matches, and shake it a little to
show that they are loose.
Close the matchbox and turn it over. This
time you slide the tray right out of the box, yet even though it's upside
down they don't fall out! (squeeze the box lightly to aid this effect).
When you're done, say the magic words to turn
off the "magnetic effect" and give the ends a slight squeeze and the matches
will then fall out.
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