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Hi all;

I have a question concerning coins. Following the recommendations on this forum (from Magicdiscoman in particular), I've ordered a set of Euro Scotch and Soda, and a set of Hopping Halves. Both are waiting for me in France since Penguin doesn't deliver in the Czech Republic.

I've also seen a set called copper and silver - is that the same thing as Scotch and Soda? If not, what is the difference?

Thanks
LP

your hopping halfs set will contain a version of a coper silver, thats the most that can be said on open forum but feel free to pm me about this.
a scotch n soda, gin n orange, coin unique set allows you to vanish one coin from a set of two in your hand or from a receptical like a cup and your hoping halfs set also contains thease in a modified form, thats why i recomend a hopping half set as an introduction to coin gimicks.

Hi Magicdiscoman;

Thanks and nice to speak to you again

I've had them waiting for me for about a month at my Father's and am not due there for another month. I'm impatient hehe.

You've answered my question, it sounds that I will already have enough to play with these two sets

I've also got the Bobo's DVD by Ben Salinas in the post, I hope it will have a few routines I can use to play with my new toys

Thanks again
LP

Bateleur,
Don't be impatient; relax and all things will come to you.

For example, here is a no-gimmick version of both Scotch and Soda and Hopping Halves:

First of all, here is the no-gimmick Scotch and Soda routine that appeared in my Showtime column in the Linking Ring magazine of June, 1998.

The following are unsolicited e-mails:
“Your No-gimmick Scotch and Soda is the neatest, cleanest, best handling I can imagine.” – R.D.
“That's fantastic!!! All I can say is I wish I'd thought of that!” – O.F.
“And after reading your scotch and soda effect I wonder why I ever bought my scotch and soda set.” -- F.G.
“I’d like to vouch for Peter’s no-gimmick method. It’s so good, I gave away my S&S set.” – J.
“Wow, simplicity is an understatement. Perfect!” – S.O.


By Peter Marucci

Simplify! Simplify! Simplify!

Many of the best magic routines can be done without any gaffed props: The Professor’s Nightmare, the Miser’s Dream, variations on Two in the Hand, One in the Pocket, and a whole boat-load of card tricks.

Trouble is, a lot of magicians aren’t happy unless they have to (a) buy a bunch of expensive props or (b) learn a zillion knuckle-breaking sleights.

This offering is an ungimmicked Scotch and Soda routine, based on another ungimmicked routine in a July, 1995 Linking Ring Parade.

For those of you unfamiliar with Scotch and Soda, briefly here is the effect: The spectator is given a U.S. half dollar and a Mexican 20-centavo piece -- one large silver coin and one smaller copper coin. The magus then turns the Mexican coin into a quarter, right in the spectator’s hand.

The gimmicked version of this is well done, with a locking shell half that passes casual -- VERY casual -- examination. The downside is that it is difficult to reset quickly -- and it’s expensive.

The Parade version was done with ungimmicked coins (that solves the price problem) and there was no reset (that solves the problem for table-workers). The downside (to my mind, at least) was that there were a couple of moves where you could get burned -- no big deal if you were careful, but still I figured there had to be a way around it -- and, sure enough, there was.

NO-GIMMICK SCOTCH AND SODA
Effect: The magus deftly turns the conversation to the economy and the effects of NAFTA, the free-trade deal between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The magus points out that, in the U.S., NAFTA stands for: “North American Free Trade Agreement,” while in Canada it stands for: “Nobody Asked For That Arrangement.”

He shows the spectator two coins, a U.S. half-dollar and a Mexican 20-centavo piece, pointing out that they are different metals and different sizes, which underscores the differences between two of the participating countries. He asks her to take both coins, put her hands behind her back, and put one coin in each hand.

He then asks her if she thinks she can identify the coins by feel alone. She replies yes (we certainly hope). He then asks her to show the U.S. half-dollar and she does so. He then asks her to show the Mexican coin but, when she opens her hand, it has turned into a Canadian two-dollar coin (a “twoonie”). The magician points out that this represents the third member of the NAFTA treaty -- the Mexican coin having disappeared “just like all those jobs that went south of the border.”

Working: You’ll need a U.S. half-dollar, a Mexican 20-centavo piece and a Canadian two-dollar coin. When you get the coins, you’ll notice that the Mexican and Canadian coins are the same size, while the half-dollar is noticeably larger.

Have the Mexican coin in your left pocket, the half and the twoonie in your right pocket. (This is simply for ease of telling them apart; you may come up with an arrangement that suits you better.)

Reach into your pockets with both hands, bringing out the Mexican coin and the half at the fingertips, while the twoonie is loosely finger-palmed in the right hand (the one holding the half).

Drop the coins on the table or give them to the spectator and let her examine them. Take the half back first with the right hand, tossing it into the left; then take the Mexican coin and apparently toss it into the left, too; in fact, you use the Bobo Switch to exchange the Mexican for the Canadian coin.

Give the half and the Mexican (actually Canadian) coin to the spectator, gently closing her hand around them. Ask her to put both hands behind her back. You demonstrate what you want her to do and, as your hands go behind your back, your right hand ditches the Mexican coin in your back pocket.

You are now clean and can devote the rest of the routine to presentation and showmanship.

Ask her if she can identify the coins by feel; if necessary, remind her that the U.S. -- being the bigger country -- has the bigger coin. Then ask her to show the U.S. coin.

After she does so, tell her that the difficult part is yet to come -- and can she show the Mexican coin. It being the only coin in her hand, she will think you are a little weird but will co-operate. When she opens her hand, however, the Mexican coin has vanished, to be replaced by the Canadian coin.

Take the money and run!

Second Thoughts: The above routine is the one that I use -- although some of you may find it too political. That’s okay; you should be coming up with your own routines, anyway.

Besides, it doesn’t have to be the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. This will work with any three coins, as long as they are noticeably different in material, one is larger or smaller than the other two, and two are the same size.

Some obvious possibilities: Three European coins and a story about the Euromarket; any coins with animals on them (the one animal escapes --from the zoo, circus, etc.-- only to be replaced by another one; well, you get the idea.

The Mexican 20-centavo piece can probably be found in the “junk box” at most coin shops (I don’t know if the coin is even in use in Mexico any more). You can probably get the Canadian “twoonie” from a friend up here in the True North. (Although, if you’re really, REALLY stuck and you really, REALLY want to do this, I’ll send you a twoonie for the two bucks plus a buck to cover postage.)

The twoonie, by the way, got its name mostly by accident. The Canadian dollar coin has a loon on the back and was called the “loonie.” It seemed a logical step, when the two-dollar coin came out, to call it a “twoonie” (or toonie). It’s a two-part coin, with a brass centre and a silver rim. Looks good -- but try carrying a pocketful around for a while!

And finally . . . don’t underestimate the impact of this routine, simply because it only has one simple sleight and no expensive props to buy.

Any working pro will tell you that there is nothing -- absolutely NOTHING -- in magic that is as effective as having the magic work right in the spectator’s hands.

Stop here; read that last paragraph again.

Now go thee and do likewise.



And here is my routine for no-gimmick Hopping Halves, which appeared in my Showtime column in the Linking Ring magazine of March, 2003.


showtime – marucci

By Peter Marucci

Purists will argue that gimmicks are a crutch and shouldn’t be used.
That’s putting it a bit strongly, since many effects can’t be done at all without gimmicks, and many other effects are easier with gimmicks.
But sometimes, we tend to rely too much on gimmicks; they are often not necessary and once in a while actually make an effect worse.
My No-Gimmick Scotch and Soda, which appeared here some time ago, is one example of a trick that is actually easier (and, arguably, better) without the gimmick. The locking coin takes too long to unlock, making the whole thing not really practical for table hopping.
The following – I hope – falls in the same category:

No-Gimmick Hopping Halves

Effect: The magus shows an English penny and a U.S. half dollar on the palm of his left hand. He takes the half in his right and closes his left hand. The right hand puts the half in his pocket but, when he opens the left hand, the half is back with the penny.
This is repeated.
The third time, he removes the half and puts it in his pocket as before. But this time, when the left hand opens, both coins have vanished.
A dealer ad would read: “No reset; no clean-up (you finish clean); no gimmicks.”
And probably charge you about 20 bucks for the effect.
But you’re getting it free here! (Aren’t I a nice guy!)

Working: You’ll need an English penny and two U.S. half dollars.
The penny and one half are on the palm of the left hand; the other half is finger palmed in the right hand.
As the right hand comes over the left hand to pick up the half, it drops the concealed half on the fingers of the left hand, which immediately closes. (The coins should be far enough apart so that they don’t “talk”.) The left hand is in a fist and the forefinger points at the right hand, which is holding the half; this conceals the fact that the left hand is actually holding two coins.
The right hand puts the half in the right pants pocket but steals it out again in a finger palm.
The left hand is opened showing the two coins have re-united.
This is repeated but this time the right hand actually leaves the coin in the right pants pocket.
The left hand shows the two coins and they are tossed to the right hand, to show the other side of the table/room/audience; in fact, they are positioned for the Click Pass. With both coins in the right hand, apparently dump them into the left hand. In fact, only one coin (the half) actually goes into the left hand; due to the Click Pass, it sounds as if both coins landed in the left hand.
The right hand conceals the penny and the forefinger and thumb reach into the left hand and take out the half, holding it by the fingertips; the position should naturally hide the fact that the penny is concealed in the right hand, too.
Put the half in the right pants pocket, ditching the penny along with it (be careful they don’t “talk”.)
The left hand is still closed and, apparently, holding the penny.
With a clearly empty right hand, point to the left hand, asking what should be left.
No matter what the answer, open the left hand, showing it clearly empty, as well as the right.

Second thoughts:There is no patter given with this because:
a) the variations are so many that you might miss one of your own creations if you followed my patter.
b) I am still working on a story line for this but wanted to get it into print and into your hands as soon as possible.
Obviously, you don’t have to use an English penny and a U.S. half; after all, the penny is no longer in circulation and the half is fairly rare in most areas.
It’s not necessary to even use two coins the same size, although it does lead the audience down the garden path!
The story line should follow the coins: An English penny and a U.S. half could tell the story of a girl, Elizabeth, and a boy, Jack, who were separated but he rejoined her; when they were separated again, she joins him – who knows where?
You could tell the story of a financier who didn’t no whether to put his finances in foreign or domestic money and ends up losing it all.
Or a half dollar and an Oriental coin could tell the story related to the long-term effects of the Vietnam War.
Or – well, you get the idea.
I have used a borrowed coin and a Houdini palming coin; he escapes twice and, being a showman, he naturally charges for the act; the third time he and the money vanish.
Let’s hear what you can come up with; if you have a full routine, the germ of an idea, or anything in between, I’d appreciate hearing from you, snail mail or e-mail.


Peter Marucci
200 River Street, Suite 303
Fergus, Ontario, Canada
N1M 3H8
e-mail: pmarucci@cogeco.ca

Thanks Peter!

Mandrake,

You're welcome.

Brilliant stuff Peter.

very nice, I use gimicks myself more as a disabled person uses a scooter around town, they take the load off.
I recomend bobo's first then sugest hopping halfs, preferably the expanded version as you get two of the best coin gimicks out there which are featured in bobo's, thease days i'd recomend a split coin for its versitility.
mark ledveridge has a nice take on the regular coin verses gimicked sets with his colour coin set, which is great for doing coin work for kids and in diferent countrys because there colourfull, why use a complicated sleight when a simple bobo switch will do, after all no ones going to see it.
iv'e been asking if he would bring out a few additions to his set like a shell or a split coin but he has no plans at the moment.

anyhoo people should learn the sleights first and add the gimicks for convinience or too achive a set idea later on, thats the best way.
I remeber thoughs tortuose long sessions practising the retention vanish and darrals single handed coin switch, name escapes me right now, thease days i can't tie my own shoelaces so I let the gimicks take the strain and concentrate on the performance.

Hello Peter;

sorry I didn't get back to you as soon as I read your mail earlier on, I wanted to digest it first.

Thank you very much for sharing. It's really good, it seems simple just reading it, but I would never have thought of it in a million years

So your routine is using two sleights, the Bobo switch and the Click pass. I will have to learn this, it will be my introduction to coin sleights, nice. I just checked and they both are on the Bobo DVDs I've just ordered Both on the first disc as well so hopefuly I'll be able to pick this up without too much problems. How hard would you say they were to learn?

I'm wondering if there is a way to use both the gimmicked sets for a routine that would not be possible without, as you mentioned, and then close with your routines and hand out the coins to be examined. That would be a convincer that the first part must have been fair too?

I would like to do this for my soon to be brother in law who just started in banking fresh from uni. Obviously at the moment with all the news stories about money disapearing it should be a fun story to tell. "You know what bankers are like, they promise you amazing returns (miser's dream?) , they take your money, move it from hand to hand, and in the end ... you're left with nothing"

Thanks again for sharing

LP

Le Petit Bateleur wrote:So your routine is using two sleights, the Bobo switch and the Click pass. I will have to learn this, it will be my introduction to coin sleights, nice. I just checked and they both are on the Bobo DVDs I've just ordered Both on the first disc as well so hopefuly I'll be able to pick this up without too much problems. How hard would you say they were to learn?

The Bobo switch is a nice sleight that should fool everybody if done well; it doesn't take long at all to get the hang of it with practice
The click pass I could never get down, sadly. But again it's really nice, and I've been fooled with it in the past during a meet

I would like to do this for my soon to be brother in law who just started in banking fresh from uni. Obviously at the moment with all the news stories about money disapearing it should be a fun story to tell. "You know what bankers are like, they promise you amazing returns (miser's dream?) , they take your money, move it from hand to hand, and in the end ... you're left with nothing"

That sounds actually quite a nice idea for a routine. Rather than use the 'classic' Miser's, I suggest using the method described in the first four paragraphs of 'A Miser's Dream Routine' by Jack Makepeace) and Authur Buckley's Four Coins To a Glass (they're both the same thing). It's possible to do this from classic with practice, and you won't need a glass.

Making them vanish with four different vanishes would also be pretty neat

Bateleur,

Your idea of tieing one of the routines in with the Miser's Dream is great!
I love that sort of "out of the box" thinking.

Good luck. And keep up the VERY good work