Where can I find the video?

Doc's CSB is the *first* work with coins I ever undertook...I got a copy of Vol3 along with the video I was buying and it was better than the one I thought I wanted...people "get it" with Doc's handling...thank you for releasing that...it's gold. I also use the opener with kids...they love it!

Btw, I particularly liked the "don't believe your own press" section...glad you threw that in.

James Lewis taught me his Foreign Exchange routine many years ago. It looks
absolutely fantastic in his hands. IMO it is not as easy as it looks. The last
shuttle pass with the gimmick is a very dangerous move (those who know the routine
will know what I am talking about). Does anyone have an alternative ending that
does not require this las shuttle pass? I love his routine because it's all in
the open without any pocket work (although there is nothing wrong with going
the pocket).

I am currently using Bannon's Aztec Orient Express routine from Smoke and Mirrors.
He takes a very different approach. It uses the pocket in the last phase (only once)
and you end clean.

Kevin

But kcwcc! You are the best Magician I've ever seen!

Just the stream of consciousness writing that needs work! (Bigus)

But seriously, I don't know why when seeing Doc's work it "clicked" with me but it just did. I'm not saying that to impress the person as there is nothing to gain from that, but in one viewing it blew me away. I have seen 1000s of tricks and 1000s of performers but REALLY when I'm bored, I get out a Doc Eason DVD and transport myself to a night at the Tower. It doesn't matter how many times I see it either, it's just entertainment, forget the magic!

So in doing The old 3 coin trick, after learning the moves, go back and learn how to entertain. Both are on the same DVD, all you have to do is watch and learn. Time spent talking about a Chinese Rikshore token and a place to eat up the road are every bit as important as doing a slight. And it doesn't matter how many times I hear the women noticing that the Chinese coin has a hole in it, 3 minutes AFTER all that has been explained only for the Doc to reply "Yes honey, it has a hole in it. Thanks for noticing!", I'm rolling around the floor every time. Who said the Americans can't do sarcasm? This is a master class in it! (But of course, without any nastiness)

Doc Eason? Now he IS the greatest magician I've ever seen!

In doing the first phase of the standard routine, where you put the half into your pocket, I just dip it inside very quickly, just long enought to make the switch, then bring the gaff out while I'm still saying the line, "If I put this inside my pocket, what should naturally be left inside my hand?". Since they see the half in my other hand (albeit momentarily out of play), it gives the impression that the pocket is actually unnecessary. It's simply used as a matter of convenience. In any event, the spectator gets the answer right, and I agree with them, placing the (gaffed) half back into my hand. The innocence of these actions negates any suspicion that one may direct toward the pocket, since they barely remember the half resting there for even a second!

Then, when the two coins are placed in the pocket, I grab the half and bring it out, cupped in my hand. This furthers the impression that I just want the coins out of sight for a second, not actually "in the pocket". Once again, no heat is on the pocket.

After this second question to the spectator (actually the first real magical change), I say "I don't want to confuse you going back and forth to the pocket. Let's just do it right here in my hands..." Then the third phase is done with cupped hands, furthering the impression that what I want is brief darkness, and not a cloth pocket. I give the impression that I'm trying to be as fair as possible while working under the contraints of necessary "magic procedure". Of course I'm doing secret stuff, they surmise, but I'm very fair, and the pocket, while suitable, has been done away with now that I've come up with the better alternative (on the spot, mind you) of just using two cupped hands.

I believe it's the air of spontaneity and impromptu "invention" that really sells it. It's an "Here's three different coins - let's try this..." attitude that accounts for my success with this trick.

Hope this helps somebody...

Ruben Padilla

H_a_z:
I was not able to find Million Dollar Mysteries by James Lewis through a google search, so you might have to find it used. It is such a fantastic tape, I can't believe it is not going to DVD (maybe contact James Lewis directly somehow?) If you run out of options, I might be interested in selling mine-PM me.

delgadil:
An alternative to the shuttle pass at the end of Lewis's routine is to just do a fake take with a wrist kill; it is "safer" and exactly the same, from laymen's perspective.

Thanks Kenodad. I might take up that offer.

Anyone knows how to get in touch with Mr James Lewis? Maybe we can get him to re-release it on DVD

I have to throw in my thoughts on this thread. I purchased a set of Jamie Schoolcraft's CSB in a Morgan, Pakistani and Chinese dollar size set and have been doing Cody Fisher's CSB routine from his DVD "The Unforgetable Magic of ..." There are many excellent CSB routine's to choose from but none cleaner (at least in terms of the one's I've seen) than Mr. Fisher's. It is very strong and little pocket work is required. Jess Cone

I have to throw in my thoughts on this thread. I purchased a set of Jamie Schoolcraft's CSB in a Morgan, Pakistani and Chinese dollar size set and have been doing Cody Fisher's CSB routine from his DVD "The Unforgetable Magic of ..." There are many excellent CSB routine's to choose from but none cleaner (at least in terms of the one's I've seen) than Mr. Fisher's. It is very strong and little pocket work is required. Jess Cone

My personal favorite is Doc Eason's version of the CSB. It has simplified the moves from the original instructions and gets rid of the akwardness of taking a coin out of one's hand. No one has ever questioned my going to my pocket using his routine. Its a pure gem and looks like real magic.

I'll step off topic for just a moment and suggest that many magicians are quick to offer so-called improvements when seeing someone else work, before they've finished watching, and before being asked! Far better to be asked for your advice or criticism before spewing forth. Oh well...

I'm 90% sure that the original instructions that Johnson's supplied, which is what was originally asked about, is the JC Wagner routine that appears in his book, The Commercial magic by J.C.Wagner (or perhaps, More Commercial magic by J.C.Wagner)

It might help to go back to Bobo and read Connie Haden's original hanlding when he invented the trick. He fooled me badly with it.

Ken Brooke's Chinese Bit is another excellent handling as is Doc Eason's and Paul Green's.

Currently I prefer my own version using Poker Chips. (Poker Chip Surprise from http://www.porperoriginals.com )

IM a Huge Doc fan and missed out the oppertunity to meet him the 4 years I spent at Cheyenne Wyoming AF base. Any way his C/S/B is the only routine I have ever worked with and I love it. It slays them, I always found that when you showed them that part, they felt that you were letting them in on the magic as the Doc would say lead them down that path to only jerk them back the other direction. Thanks Doc and I cant wait to read your book. If it ever gets done.

Do folks ever ask about what is left in your pocket at the completion of the routine? If so, do you show the foreign coins side of the gaff? Or perhaps when putting everything back into the coin purse you could openly place the gaff (foreign coins showing) into the purse along with the real coins?

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks,
Kevin

I make the point in my lectures that if they want to see the coins after you are finished, then you are doing the trick wrong... you are emphasizing the coins where you should be emphasizing interaction between you nad the specs...

Kevin, are you in the LA area? I am doing a lecture at the castle on Sunday Aug 5th.. this coming sunday.. come if you can...

Doc

Hi everyone,

I will be going to Doc Eason's lecture on August 5--Lucky me!

Great routines for CSB (in no particular order:

Doc Eason
James Lewis
Cody Fisher
J. C. Wagner
Paul Green (Blush)

I am sure there others. Enjoy the search.

Regards,

Paul Green

For those who weren't there, you missed a great lecture! I even got to rub elbows (literally!) with Paul Green sitting next to me. Doc sold out of his C/S/B booklets by the time I got there, but I'm hoping to get one soon.

The best thing I brought from the lecture was "It's not the tricks you do, it's how you make them feel"

I was wondering if the Lassen CSB coins are worth the extra money. I love his work and my Johnson gaff is somewhat detectable in good light. So you have to kind of keep it moving. Is the Lassen or Schoolcraft gaffed coin undetectable? I rather like the idea of using more exotic coins too.

Thanks for any input.

If the James Lewis tape is not in print... I own a copy so make me an offer via PM or email. -J