the right, as in Fig. 1, the right middle finger and thumb still retaining a grip on the coin. In fact, the right hand never lets go of coin number two. Close the left hand, which action causes the first coin to fall onto the second coin, Fig. 2, and an unmistakable “clink” is heard. Immediately withdraw the right hand from the left, still holding on to the second coin. Fig. 3 shows the beginning of this action. The left fingers hide the movement and what is happening to the coins. The closed right fist hides coin number two, which is withdrawn under the right fingers. Just before the hands separate the spectators see the two hands as in Fig. 4. Now, move the right hand away, stealing the second coin with it as in Fig. 5.
At this point the coin in the right hand is in perfect position for back palming. Simply straighten out the right hand, palm up, and you will find it a simple matter to back palm the coin, Fig. 6. Or, if you prefer, merely push the coin into finger palm position.
Now make a fist of the right hand also, bringing the back palmed coin into the hand as this is done. From here on, the trick is over. The main thing is that the spectators have the impression two coins were placed in the left hand. When you open your left hand, however, there is only one coin there. Show the second coin in the right hand, or finish any way you like.
The sleight is very useful in performing numerous ‘coin passe’ effects, such as Coins into the Glass, Coins Through the Table, etc.
THE COIN FLIP
Right hand has a half dollar classic palmed, while the fingers flip another coin into the air a time or two. This is merely a disarming move which tends to show, without saying so, that the right hand holds only one coin. The spectators reason that there is only one because it seems impossible that a second coin could be hidden in the hand flipping a coin in the air so naturally.
Fig. 1 shows the concealed coin in the palm and the visible coin ready to be flipped into the air. Coin is caught on the extended fingers as shown in Fig. 2. Back of hand is towards spectators.
A little practice will be necessary to keep the coins from “talking” as the visible one is caught. Once the move is mastered it will be a useful sleight to add to your repertoire of close-up chicanery.
CHANGE-OVER PASS
Occasionally the coin operator may wish to vanish a coin and then show both hands empty before reproducing it. This adroit bit of trickery will fulfill that requirement nicely.
Pretend to place a half dollar in your left hand but retain it thumb palmed in the right. (For a method, see Chapter III, Coin Vanishes.) Open the left hand to show that the coin has disappeared. Hands are about waist high and fingers of both hands point toward the left, Fig. 1. Both hands swing to the right so the right palm may be exhibited empty, and it is in this action that the coin is stolen from the right hand with the left, thusly: About midway in the swing the hands come together and the two middle fingers of the left hand take the coin from the right thumb palm, Fig. 2. The left fingers curl inward, hiding the coin as the hands continue without hesitation to the right, where the spectators see the left forefinger pointing to the empty right palm, Fig. 3.
Left hand can then produce the coin according to the trick at hand.
The same moves can be used to transfer a stack of coins from the edge palm of the right hand to the left hand.
THE BOTTOM STEAL
PAUL MORRIS
Here is a subtle sleight which should find many uses in performing such tricks as Four Coins to a Glass (Chapter VIII), Coins Through the Table, and numerous other effects.
Suppose you have a number of half dollars in your right hand and wish to retain one concealed in that hand as you place the others into the left. The Paul Morris Bottom Steal (with coins!—not cards) accomplishes this in an ingenious manner without any telltale movement whatsoever.
The method: After showing some coins and calling attention to their number, square them into a stack and hold them by their opposite edges between the tips of the right second finger and thumb—the back of the hand toward the spectators and the flat surface of the coins parallel with the floor, Fig. 1. The hands should be held about waist high, the left being palm up a few inches away and in position to receive the coins, Fig. 2. Move the hands toward each other casually. The right hand is about to place the coins in the palm of the left hand. Take a look at Fig. 3. Fig. 4 shows the performer’s view of the action.
As the stack of coins moves toward the left palm the two middle fingers of that hand come in contact with the bottom coin and it remains balanced on their tips hidden from the spectators’ view by the right fingers. Fig. 5 shows the spectators’ view, while Fig. 6 depicts the action as seen by the performer. As the right hand deposits the stack of coins in the left palm the left middle fingers push upward and press the stolen coin into the right palm, Fig. 7.
The action of sliding off the bottom coin from the stack and pressing it into the right palm is completely hidden by the right fingers which are held close together. Now separate the hands. Allow the spectators to get a brief view of the coins lying in the left hand, then close the fingers over them. In a perfectly natural manner you have placed a stack of coins in your left hand but in this action you have stolen a coin, which is now hidden in your right palm. No visible movement of the right hand is necessary to retain the coin as that hand reaches for a glass tumbler and picks it up by its brim. The glass is held between the fingers and thumb of the palm down hand in such a manner that the coin, when released from the palm, will fall into the glass.
Hold the hands some distance apart, make a tossing motion with the left hand toward the glass and release the coin in the right palm, permitting it to fall into the glass. Open the left hand and show one coin missing. The move can be repeated to cause a second coin to pass into the glass but the third and remaining coins should be caused to pass into the glass by