following pages.
THE CLICK PASS
PAUL MORRIS
Mr. Paul Morris, the famous New York sleight-of-hander, has an entirely different conception of this useful sleight.
In his version the effect is the same as described in method (a) of the foregoing description of The Click Pass. That is, the performer places one coin in his left hand. Then a second coin is ostensibly dropped onto the first, the sound of the two coins coming together offering convincing proof that the left hand actually holds two coins. Nevertheless, only one coin is in the left hand while the other is retained hidden in the right.
Method: Let’s say you are using two half dollars. You may start in several ways: (1) While facing front, hold a coin at the finger-tips of the two hands about chest high. Place the coin from the left hand between the teeth—most of the coin protruding from the teeth as you smile. The right hand places its coin in the left hand and then takes the coin from the teeth and places it in the left hand with the first one. (2) Place a coin on each of a spectator’s hands, then take the coins one at a time and continue from there. (3) Or, have the two coins on the table at the beginning and pick them up one at a time as you commence the trick.
At any rate, that is how to start. Now let’s learn the sleight.
Exhibit coin number one between the tips of the second finger and thumb of the right hand. Hold the left hand palm up and place the coin on it—not on the center of the palm, but near the fingertips. Now take coin number two in the right hand, holding it in the same fashion described for number one, and place it on the left hand. It is not placed directly on the center of the left palm but a trifle off-center to 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 The closed right fist hides coin number two, which is withdrawn under the right fingers.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
