I love coin magic, but there's a problem. I bought Bobo's Modern Coin Magic awhile ago, but for some reason I just don't understand it. The book, for me at least, seems very hard to understand. Especially, the complicated sleights like the backpalm. And I'd love to do some routines, such as the Miser's Dream.

I do sleight of hand with sponges, not coins, because I find the book very hard to follow. I was thinking about getting the Bobo's Modern Coin Magic 4 DVD set. It teaches tons of sleights and routines. Does anyone here have the DVD set? Is it worth it? One question: What concerned me is that there is so much material put on each disc that it may not go over in much detail on each sleight/effect. Does it go over on each sleight in a lot of detail, or just rush through everything?

Thanks!
Kevin

Some people learn more from the DVD than the book. It seems you are a DVD person.

The DVD is worth buying only if you want to learn how to be a professional coin manipulator. Everything is in detail. You can learn the basics from the DVD. It will give you a big head start for learning the moves from the books in the future.

I do not know if the DVDs are still being sold on eBay, but that is where I got mine from at a good rate.

Dynamike is right. The DVD is fantastic and should be used as a supplement to the book.

While the book does a great job explaining things, the DVD will answer those questions you have where things are a bit confusing. Nothing like seeing what is being talked about.

Get both, they're great!

Mark.

I agree here with Dynamike and mrunge. I have the DVDs also, and they are a great visual accompaniment/reference to the famous book. Also, the 4-DVD set is at a great value at about $35. Most other teaching DVDs are about that for just one DVD. Of course there are other very good instructional DVDs out there, but in sticking to the famous Bobo's book, this DVD set makes a lot of sense. -Mb

Oh, and welcome to the Café... It's a great place. You've already met two of the good guys here in Dynamike and mrunge.

Kevin, Mb217 and Mark are right, you can not loose with that DVD set.

Your turn, Mark...

The DVD itself is great. Unfortunately, the people who put it out are not - Magic Makers. Check out Google for their illustrious career in reinventing magic tricks. You can also check out the Illusion Coins thread here, it's the same people. Salinas is even on the site demoing it, but is not in the video.

So depending on your stance on ethics, you can lose with the DVD set. You are supporting a company that consistently makes money off of other people's innovations.

Check out the Striking Vanish that they add as bonus material on the DVD. They do Jay Sankey's version, which is a very slight change on the original but don't credit Sankey in any way.

If you wouldn't buy from T11, due to their treatment of Dusheck's work, I can't see how you could support MM.

I can't really talk, I have the DVD. I bought it when I was very green and didn't know Magic Makers reputation. It's a great DVD, but in an indirect way you're allowing rip-off artists to continue their practices.

Magic Makers reputation aside (which is sad!), this DVD set is fantastic. Do yourself a favor and just get it.

As Dynamike said, you can not loose with that DVD set!

Mark.

Well said, mrunge, and my sentiments exactly. And seeing as we all have the set here, that speaks loudest as to whether it is good or not. So, I also echo Dynamike's sentiment about it. -Mb

MB's right on the money. Take his suggestion and run with it!

Mark.

Kevin,

You are not alone. I cannot learn magic from books. I need to SEE every little detail when someone performs a move. Even when you watch a DVD, there are some things that the performer does (but does not explain) that make the trick even more convincing. It's those little subtleties that I absolutely HAVE to see performed, which make magic even more deceptive. I have MCM, but for me the book is pretty much useless. I only use it as a reference. (I know I will get flamed for that!) Don't get me wrong though, it's a great book. I'm just not a book person when it comes to magic, but I read a lot of books.
The MCM DVD set is pretty good. For the price it's available, you don't have to think twice. Be sure to check Roth, Ammar, Rubinstein, and David Stone DVDs.

Kevin,
Bobo's book is a must have. At first, it is hard to visualize what they are trying to convey. I have done a few vids on some moves in the book. These might help until you get some time under your belt with the coins. I hope they help.
Here's a link to them......
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=tfeher11
Tim
If you need any help, don't be afraid to ask us or PM me. There's a lot of nice guys on here that are willing to help other magicians.

Feher's Bobo videos are great. You should definitely check them out.

Thanks, Pod!!!!!!!

Tim

The video is great. At least, this is one of the great products of Magic Makers. Other videos by them, it is questionable, but the Modern Coin Magic DVD is good.

Y'know, I've always said that.

A DVD can be a valuable tool for helping you learn a technique, but IMHO they can never impart as much information as a (well written) book.
Do yourself a favor and use both together, each will provide something the other can't.

I too think the combo of book and DVD work well!
Mick

I am sorry, I can not support Magic Makes in any way.

Kevin -- I agree that especially for coin sleights, a DVD can be very helpful in showing you what to do and what not to do. Although the Bobo book is a great reference and resource, it is not necessarily the best way to begin learning coin magic, even if you learn well from a book.

If you'd like to get a taste of coin magic without getting into the entire Bobo book/DVD, I would suggest you take a look at David Roth's "Expert Coin Magic" DVD, Volume 1, click HERE for more info. Leave the classic palm alone for the moment and work on your finger palm and thumb palm, which are easier to acquire and just about as effective. With those two sleights, you can then perform plenty of other good sleights, including a Shuttle Pass (vanish or switch) and a L'Homme Masque Load (production), as well as classic routines like the Miser's Dream.

You could also take a look at Roth's "Ultimate Coin Magic" DVD's, especially Volumes One and Two, which cover Copper/Silver coins, Okito boxes and some other very interesting stuff. Click HERE for more info.

Then the material in Bobo will start to make more sense, and you can also give the classic palm a try. Good Luck! SETH

Seth you mention L'Homme Masque but I think this is typically done from classic palm (can be done from thumb palm though)
BTW does anyone know any load from FINGER palm?