Billiard ball was my first magic stuff that I could show in stage. I love this very much. Anyway, I saw many videos of billiard ball manipulation and this guy is simply the best. Such a smooth manipulator must be very famous. So who's he? Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YSLZ_H_N0Q

Another thing is, did Cardini use any gimmick balls?, because I only saw his one ball routine.

Have you read the Cardini Book or Levent's Billiard Ball DVD that discirbes Cardini's BB act in full?

I don't know who he the fellow is you posted the link to, but am glad to see someone bring him up. I was also very impressed when I saw his performance.

He looks Japanese to me and based on the audience reactions I believe he is performing at one of the Japanese Magic club event.

An obviously very skilled performer but I didn’t like the pace of the routine. Too much happening too fast! I think a slower pace would look more magical and let the audience enjoy the magical effects that were happening! Looked to much like juggling to me.

Wmhegbli, asgar has clearly not read your referenced sources or he would not of asked a question he new the answer to.

Asgar:

Thanks for posting that; I enjoyed it very much!

Ron

His moves a good -- BUT --- why?

What is the magic in watching someone just move balls in space multiplying, decreasing in number, movong hand to hand. Sure it is a skill -- but jugglers are skilled -- and without "drama" or purpose -- as perceived by an audience -- it can turn into a session of watching Olympic gymnastics required moves -- over and over.

Like a painting -- a skilled craftsman (and this fellow is) can make all the moves -- but needs the motivation and creativity to turn them from mere demonstration to a masterpiece.

P.S. - I do not even have this type of skill to contemplate making billiard balls movres into a masterpiece or adding character and personality to this type of work.

This seems to be a trend with those 'next generation' magicians. They want to show-off their skills and not the magic.

Occasionally things are beautiful to watch without any deeper meaning.

For the lay person I don't think it matters so much if it's magical or has a theme or whether its more juggeling than magic, etc. If they are entertained and feel they got their money's worth it's all good.

Its all Good? I have to disagree! Please compare the Cardini ball routine to most other routines on you tube. It is clear that it is not “All Good” Lay Audiences definitely can perceive the difference from a great act and a good act.

I LIKE THIS ONE -- A LOT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRP-K1gP3o4&feature=fvw

Yes, Norbert has a great ball act. I heard he won in the previous FISM, is it true?

Well sure a lay audience would be able to differentiate between a superb act and a hack. That wasn’t my point but I do agree with you. But If someone bills himself as a magician and they do more card juggling and demonstrates manipulative skill more so than magic,as long as it’s well done, no one is going to complain or want their money back. Farrell Dillon’s act comes to mind. A lot of cool manipulations that really wasn’t magic but I sure enjoyed watching it while being very envious.

Check out the routine of Salvano:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dywJVJW_KIE

Salvano's multiplying billiard balls routine is really nice and a lot of thoughts has been put into the routine.

This one is nice , kinda classy I guess. I found this one a year or so ago. I like it a lot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY-_fCSSsiQ

Sorry my last post did not answer the original question but I saw others sharing so I thought I would put my two cents in.

There is a small difference between a manipulator and a magician who uses manipulation to create a magic effect.

A true manipulator is nothing more then a show-off. That is not meant in a bad way.