"Disintegration Chamber" from Royal Magic. Sells for about 5 bucks.
All it consists of is a clear plastic box and a red hard plastic little ball. The included instructions have you removing the ball from the box, magically of course. But I have the ball resting on top of the lid, closed up with the 4 rubberbands securing the lid in sort of a tic tac toe pattern and then the ball penetrates through the lid and ends up inside the box.
You have to add your own hankie or suitable silk and 4 tiny rubberbands.

I know it is simple and sounds goofy but judging by reactions this is definitely one of my very favorite tricks. Too bad it doesn't fit inside my pants pocket or I would always have it on me.

I have a very effective gospel presentation with this trick also, if anyone is interested feel free to PM.

GlenD

Paul Harris' Twisted Reality, always seems to get a great response. The only draw back is it can only be shown to 2-3 people maximum at any one time.

You mean Reality Twister.
Don't start that again!

GlenD

Cups and balls, three card monte (ungaffed), linking rings (three rings).

I've been doing the Don Alan one bowl routine for thirty years now. With a purse frame intro, a few passe-passe moves at the start, and a double load at the end (Never forget that double load! You can get away with triple even!) this is the most killer close up routine I know.

The Amazing Doctor A
Chicago, IL

Greetings Doctor A,

Always a pleasure to hear from a Don Alan fan. He is still highly under-rated. My favorite prepared close-up trick is some Ring & String stuff, and I am also a fan of the Benson Bowl Routine ala Don Alan.

My favorite unprepared trick (impromtu - no warning) is breaking the old pencil with dollar bill. As much as this has been around it still fools them.

By the way, is it me or are pencils a whole lot stronger than they used to be? "Ouch, it only hurts when I point."

Gypsy thread once set up is a great do anywhere no table needed close-up effect.
I also do and love the Benson Bowl routine for set table work.

Recap by Greg Wilson and the twisting arm illusion by Meir Yedid.

Definitely In A Flash,(its not cards or coins, it's both) If you looking for a quick, and snappy one, for a whole routine, I would go with my Cups and Balls.

Sponge balls.

Old Carnival Game-Eugene Burger's version of the glass under the newspaper. His patter is so misdirecting, that the final effect is such the surprise. Eyes bulge with this routine.

Cups and balls with a melon in the hat!!!

I love to do Pen Penetration (Pen Through Bill).
I love their reaction when they think I put a pen through one of their bills. Everyone else likes it too. Sometimes the guy who gave you the bill is mad though, but sometimes, that adds to it. Once someone punched my stomach after I put the pen through.

- Pen Through Bill (B-2 and Misled)
- No 2 Pencil
- Pinnacle
- Sponge ball routine


Strong stuff

Cup and balls
Floating bill
Ring Flight
Self floating folding bill

Blowing a bubble, then catching it in midair
Bill switch
Signed bill in sugar packet

My most two favorite effects have to be Ring on Stick and the Cups and Balls, along with Hindu (Gypsy) thread.

Best close up trick without coins or cards? I don't consider linking rings and cups and balls in this category because I am listing 10 best effects that you can carry in your pocket and perform close up.

3 Ball Routine
Finger Ring off Cord
$100 Bill Switch
Pinnacle
Gaetan Bloom's Flying Ring
Sponge Balls
Ring and Rope
Chink a Chink with dice, coffee creamers, sugar cubes
Needle through matchbox (brass bar)
Endless Chain

Several favorites close up, by far my best received routine is rubber bands. I do a routine consisting of Crazy Man’s Handcuffs, Linking bands, Broken and Restored band, also standards like sponge rabbits or balls, Starcle as an opener, and telekenic fork (using loops).

I've gotten good reactions with the Haunted Key, simple as it is. Ditto for hot rod, and also color deception. I am working on C/S effects.
kerpa
a/k/a Mike Miller
Chicago area

Bunnies!
Watch steal
Bill switch