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I'm new here. Don't be too rough on me. I am most definitely open for constructive criticism.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fNO3obSA7M

If you can take three minutes to watch it, please do so.

I really liked that. The salesman patter works really well and its rather unique! Most cups and balls routines follow a relatively generic pattern but this was nice and different!

That was a sweet routine. That the kind of routine I want to learn


Big D

That was very nice. Well done.

I had to watch without sound, (working, or at least looking that way) and it was a great routine. Executed very nicely. Any suggestion I might be tempted to make will all work themselves out the more you perform. That would be to watch as you turn the cups down it should be consistant, sometimes you tend to really rush the turn overs and other times not so much. But really it is probably something the spectators will not notice and your patter may well cover it.

But really a very good routine.
Brian

I thought that was a really nice routine, skillfully executed.

well that was nice makes me wan't to go out and buy a set today..... were do we get them from ..... thats right folks funshop.
well almost but it would not fit into my routine as I was expecting to see cups and balls standing without a table ala sankeys pill shaped thingy, name escapes me at the moment, but apart from that very nice, no critisism needed just more performances.

I appreciate the kind words.

I spent years, many years developing that routine.

The different coloured balls. (Funky spelling for my friends who own the language!) No getting load balls from a pouch or lap or pockets straightaway, and no hand to hand transfers were my starting requirements. I feel too many follow the lead of Vernon and Ammar, far too closely. Tommy Wonder's routine is always heralded as great, as damned well it should be! He's one of the greatest magicians of the last hundred years, I am NOT comparing my routine to his!!! His is seminal, mine is faintly amusing. I do think all true fans of this trick would benefit from a little trip outside the box. I wandered off the beaten path seven years ago. I got quite lost, but when I returned, I got do an orignal routine.

If there are any other cups and balls fanatics over there I'm always interested in new routines and ideas. I won't employ them, I won't steal them. My routine, for me, is done. All except making that guy behind the table into a performer some day!

I am a cups and balls fanatic. I am currently trying to work a routine with my sponge balls as the final load to transition from one to the other. A routine like this would be perfect. I will keep working on it and let you know what I come up with.

Thanks Kent


Big D

Very enjoyable

Really nice routine. Well done.

I know I have mentioned this before, but does anyone else use the Mendoza routine for the Chop Cups and Balls. I think it is excellent, but I've still never found a clip of anyone doing it.

Here's a clip of John Mendoza doing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxV-uN6YTr0

If you were looking for someone else, not John doing it I apologize.

Thanks for the link. But he's doing the Vernon routine. I'm looking for him doing HIS routine...

(as published by Morrissey Magic in 1971, 8th printing in 1989)

I'm pretty sure Vernon didn't:

Lap or use a chopped cup in his routine. I believe that Mr. Mendoza, like most magicians tweaks, changes and re-sequences his routines from time to time.

He's a working pro, I doubt he can perform every printed version of a routine he may have abandoned years ago.

I think you watched the Mendoza Cups and Balls Routine, as it exists today. The title pays homage to Vernon. It should, the routine sources exact Vernon sequences. The routine done in the video is NOT in print by Vernon, nor does it mirror any of the tape/film I've seen of Vernon doing the trick.

I fear if you want to see someone do the Mendoza routine as printed in either The Book of John or in the yellow or blue versions that were released as single trick pamphlets that you'll have to get busy learning the routines as they existed back then.

I could also be completely screwed up. I'd track down Mr. Mendoza via email and ask him!!!

Sorry - I wasn't meaning it was THE 'Vernon routine' as if he was just performing it as given. But the routine I am interested in was specifically designed for the Chop Cup and Balls set and minimised a lot of the sleight of hand vanishes of balls which are common in a more generic C&B routine. Does that make sense? I will dig out the pamphlet and refresh my memory and try and point out the distinctives when I have a bit more time, but off on hols shortly...