talkmagic.co.uk

I want some advice on something, I, like many people who enjoy magic love the chop cup and cups and balls trick, both are very similar, except the chop cup uses one cup and one ball and the cups and balls uses three of each.

Now I'm pretty much a beginner in magic and I want to learn this classic, but I don't know which I should practise, because both are similar, so I was wondering in your opinion, which is better? The Chop Cup or Cups and Balls?

Thanks

The chop cup is very useful if you intend to work at corporate events, restaurants etc. You can learn some great & quick routines that are ideal for strolling. When i used to perform magic i used one all the time.

I'd have to say that you're better learning a solid cups and balls routine first. Once you've mastered the basic handlings then you might want to play around with a chop cup. See it as the same as most things in magic, learn the basics before you start worrying about the gimicks.

The good thing is I found an old set of cups and balls in a box!, and theres a routine in Mark Wilsons Complete Course In Magic, so may spend the summer learning this

buy a good combo set. then you have both.

Id go for Cups and Balls. It is such an important effect, not just historically, but for what you can learn from it aswell.
I highly recommend Michael Ammars Complete Cups and Balls DVDs (2 volumes).

Stephen makes a good point though, in that where you will be performing it will dictate wether a 3 cup or 1 cup routine will be more suitable.

jim

I agree with the combo set recommendation.

Chop Cup is ideal when table-hopping, when you've got limited space. Cups and balls is more of a set piece, but still well worth adding to your repertoire.

A combo set will give you both options in one set. Learning good cups and balls sleights will help you devise a chop cup routine with sleights that kill any suspicion of the gimmick.Similarly, the gimmicked cup offers a few possibilities to blow away any suspicion of 'familiar' sleights in a three-cup routine.

I very strongly recommend devising your own routine with the Cups and Balls or Chop Cup.

In that respect, Michael Ammar's two-DVD set is indispensible, as it covers the effect in a modular manner, allowing you to pick and choose the ideas that fit you best.

Also check out Charlie Frye's routine in his Eccentricks 1 DVD for ideas on using a combo set.

Hope that helps,

Pete