Hey,

This is really old and I'm not sure wether it's a magic trick or just a puzzle.
It's a do as I do trick with a pencil.
You start off with a pencil held in your two hands and the spectator has one identical to it in the same position.

You make a brief "twist" of your hands and the spectators just CAN'T copy it.

I'm sure you know it-it's hard to describe here.

I really like it for some reason and was wondering if anyone had any ideas about how it could be used.

Cheers

Greetings

I know this trick well and I love it.

As for patter I have never written any as its just a wee thing I do from time to time.

I will have a think as I am sure there is a story there.

Dean

Thanks mate,

Would appreciate it.

I do this as an "observation test" tossed in the middle of a set. It is a puzzle and I use it to let people know that it's ok to relax have some fun because it is impossible to observe everything going on.

I love this! Here’s how I use it.

----------------------
“Some people are magic from birth,
some people learn to become magical…
some are just our audiences who appreciate magic!”

“There is a way to tell…
if you were born to be a magician.
My mentor-wizard gave me this task,
and though a young man, when I passed,
he agreed to let me become his apprentice.”

“Now, here’s a wand for you to hold…
(don’t worry it’s not a very powerful wand)
and one for me to use to demonstrate,
this rite of passage into magical ways.”

“Ah, you seem to have some skills, some talents,
but don’t appear to be born to our craft!
Here, let me try the test with you as well…”
----------------------

Anyway, that’s the basic way I use it in close-up,
or for smaller groups.

Magically,
Walt

Thank you very much fellas.

I like the patter Walt.

Ok, I'm curious, what is the effect? Is it some book?

It is described in Gardner's Impromptu book amongst others.

Is this the effect called "Puzzling Pencil Twist" and explained by Dave Hudspath on the "Amazing Magic Tricks With Everyday Objects" video?

In that effect, the hands are face to face with thumbs pointing upwards, and the pencil is under the thumbs; Then after the twist the hands end up palms downwards with the pencil underneath. Is that the effect being discussed here?

That is the effect I was thinking of that is in Gardner's book, yes.

What is the name Martin Gardner gives the effect in his book?