How to Perform Coin Tricks
- 1). Learn sleight of hand, the most important component when it comes to performing successful coin tricks. This means you'll have to devote considerable time to limbering up your fingers and hands and using them in ways you've never had to before. All of this means practice. You'll need to learn how to "palm" a coin (or two) without it being obvious to the spectators. You'll need to learn to use your weaker fingers to perform manipulations. With enough practice, you'll find you've not only mastered sleight of hand but also improved your dexterity and motor skills in the process.
- 2). Never give away your secrets. This is the magician's rule. Never give away how the trick is done, no matter how much your spectators might beg for it. The main reason for this is because the reaction will inevitably be, "Oh. That's it?" That's not the kind of reaction you want from your magic, and it discounts the amount of time you spent practicing and perfecting your routine so that it looked flawless. The secret to a trick is never as good as the trick itself.
- 3). Never perform the same trick twice. This goes for a single audience, of course. A magician performing close-up magic for his friends will inevitably be asked to perform a certain trick again, because either (a) the spectators were so amazed that they just have to see it again or (b) they think they can "figure it out" if you do it a second time. Unfortunately, unless your trick is absolutely foolproof, they likely can. Don't risk it. One of the primary rules of show business is "Leave them wanting more." Adhere to this rule, and you'll do fine.
- 4). Learn impromptu tricks. While a great many coin tricks require a bit of preparation in advance, it's important for you to learn at least a few tricks you can perform anytime and anywhere with absolutely no preparation at all. Once you have a reputation as a skilled magician, you'll be called upon at odd times to perform a trick for friends. You should be ready for such a request and be able to delight them on the spot. This will add to your aura and mystery.
- 5). Learn "Sodalicious." You need a good trick to get you going, and Sodalicious can be that trick. It's really very simple. All you need is a piece of tape, two nickels, an empty plastic soda bottle, a black marker and the cap to said bottle. Make a small black mark on the nickel. Then surreptitiously grab an empty soda bottle, remove the cap and tape the nickel to the bottom of the cap. Do this out of the audience's view, of course (that is, before the show). When the show begins, present the soda bottle, remove the cap and show them that the bottle is empty (being careful to not show the audience the bottom of the cap.
- 6). Place the cap back on the bottle, tighten it and produce your alternate nickel. Have a member of the audience make a small mark on the nickel using the black marker. It will now match the nickel taped to the bottom of the cap. Running some patter (magician-speak for your dialogue while performing), take the soda bottle in one hand and the nickel in the other. You slap the nickel into the top of the cap, and--ta da!--it magically drops to the bottom of the bottle. Of course, what really happens is you "palm" the nickel, and the force of your slap knocks the taped nickel loose from the bottom of the cap. Pull it from the bottle and let your audience members see that it has the same black mark. You've set the stage for a sterling career as a master illusionist!
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