. . . are, without a doubt, my new favorite CA routines.

First, Four Coins & a Filipino is a super-visual palms-open (that's right, I said "palms open") CA routine, and its loads of fun to perform! This routine has some truly astonishing moments in it (the 3rd phase is absolutely killer).

The effective performance range is limited to a few spectators in close proximity to the performer, but that is the only drawback I can find.

Before learning this handling, I performed "The Deep" from Kenner's Out Of Control, which I still love deeply (bad coin pun), but FC&aF is so much more visual! And it end's in the Spec's hands! Woof!

Find this in Magic Man Examiner #1, if you can. I do not perform it exactly as it appears in MME (especially since I never wear a watch), but we all make modifications, don't we?

Next, Punctuated Equilibrium Coins Across has a completely different feel from "traditional" CA routines, as it is non-linear. The coins travel in very unexpected ways (e.g. 2 at a time, 3 switch places with 1), which makes this routine very entertaining while building suspense throughout. There's one impossible moment after another, one surprise after another, and plenty of built-in humor. The only drawback to this routine is that it is not particularly interactive, but it is nevertheless very entertaining (if presented properly, of course).

My current presentation takes a cue from Derek Dingle's presentation of Victor's 11 Card Trick, epecially at the end, which I've altered to include the "Slapping Mutobe" vanish (as I sigh, in a defeated tone, "It wasn't a very good trick anyway . . ."; or sometimes I give the coins a "spankin'" for their naughty behavior).

Find PECA in Kainoa's superfabulous book, "Coins On Edge". "Slapping Mutobe" is in his follow-up manuscript, "Cointopia".

For those of you that are "in the know" as far as these routines (and those of their ilk) are concerned, what are some of your experiences with/thoughts on these (and similar) Coins Across routines?

Hi! Where can I find a copy of the Magic Man Examiner? I also use a variation of Kainoa's routine and the reactions are great!

Ah, there's the rub!

I lucked out, and found MME #2 & #3 on Ebay last year. I used them as bargaining chips to get MME #1 (in a convoluted sort of way, the details of which I will spare you). I'm still on the lookout for MME #4. (If anyone has MME #4, and would like to trade, please PM me).

Are the techniques similar to anything else that is in print and easy to obtain? I am very interested in the FC&aF routine. Sounds wonderful! Feel free to PM me!

The closest thing to Homer's move is something published in Apocalypse back around 84. The 'other' move where there is NO hand motion has remained exclusive to yours truly though not quite underground for the last 20 years.

Jon, It's not nice to tease.
On the other hand I have all the bound Apocalypse so



Best
Joe

Any plans on sharing (on a DVD or in a book in the future) or do I have to dig up a copy of The Magic Man Examiner for it? I do have apocalypse though. Thank you for all your help, I really appreciate it!

Working on that folks, would like to offer something that clearly explains some items and the ideas so you get some ideas in addition to the routines.

The Three Way Crossing routine I put on the Coinvention DVD uses a phase from Four Coins & a Filipino.

After I put the version of Three Way Crossing at my website up, someone told me about Homer's routine.

I tracked down a copy of MME #1 and I read it. There was phase that I instantly fell in love with in his routine. It was the ingenious part of actually throwing a coin from hand to hand, but when the coin lands it looks like it never was thrown. If you have never done this move for someone it really creates eyeball whiplash with your spectator. It looks like trick photography. They SAW the coin go, but it really never went!! How is that possible!?! The other added advantage of this move is it PERFECTLY sets up the subsequent coin going across. To make the next coin go, you don’t even need to close your hands. It happens with a quick adjustment of the hands.

I immediately reworked Three Way Crossing to take advantage of this phase and it really improved the routine in my mind. Three Way Crossing version on my website is a quicker routine where one coin goes, then the next, then the last pretty rapidly. The hands close into fists before every coin flight.

Incorporating Homer's phase changed two major parts of my Three Way Crossing handling. The first was it added a second entirely encapsulated phase within the routine. The main plot of the routine is three coins traveling invisibly from one hand to another. Homer's phase provides a one time anti-plot with a coin visibly not traveling from one hand to another. The implications are astounding! The other thing that changed is that the second and third coins going across happens without closing the hands into fists, thus continuing the extremely visual nature introduced with the anti-plot phase.

The open shuttle pass move that is used in that routine is, at least to my knowledge the brainchild of Geoff Latta and typical of his clever thinking. If I recall correctly, he is not cited in the MME, but the same idea is credited to him in The Deep from Totally Out of Control.

Can someone who has both sources confirm Chris S' thought?

--Dan Watkins Said:----
"The Three Way Crossing routine I put on the Coinvention DVD [...]"
-----------------------

what! there is a Coinvention DVD and I didn't know it???

Please Dan, would tell me a little bit more about this DVD?

thanks a lot.

Carlos Pérez
Valencia, Spain

Dan,
just watched 3 way crossing on your website and the first time the final coin really fooled me. It's a nice combination of a couple of slights and in the first instance looks really clean. I hadn't seen it before and will think about using it in future.
Thanks
Shane
Oh yeah, I second Carlos' question- when will be seeing the Coinvention DVD?

When is the DVD out? Sometime this year is all we know.

Regarding Chris S' post, I just read "Four Coins and a Filipino" and "The Deep" again. Nothing references Latta nor anything that references an open shuttle pass.

The move I reference above from "Filipino" is the sequence after the second coin has gone. There are two coins in each hand. One is thrown over from left to right. When it lands, there are still two coins in each hand - you see a coin go that never goes. Is this what you are calling an open Shuttle Pass? It wasn't give a name in MME #1, just described how to do. The routine was credited to Homer Liwag and is the first place I have seen it in print. Troy Hooser has a routine called "Underhanded Coins Across" in his "Silver Surf II" notes that also uses this "coin goes but doesn't" sequence he credits Homer's routine.

Regarding "The Deep", this sequence is not part of the routine in the "The Deep".

Dan,

I first published this gag in Tannen's Magic Manuscript in 1987, in the September/October Peter Samelson issue in a routine called "Four Coins Across". The gag happens after three have gone from left to right; you openly throw the last one across, saying "If you don't watch carefully, you'll miss it." They think they've caught you, but you open the hands and everything is as it was: one in the left, three in the right. From there the UHPC takes care of the rest. The gag was designed to take the heat off of the UHPC, justifying it; "No, there's still one here, and three here..." It also breaks up the effect a bit, and let's me follow my general approach of putting an effect just before a move so as to camouflage the move psychologically. As far as I know, that phase (and mini-effect) is original with me.

Best,

Geoff

I know that in Kenner's description of "Three"
(MME #2, top of page 5) he credits Geoff with the idea of the open shuttle pass. There is no mention though in FC&F however. Geoff it seems you have been influential in the early development of some of today's magic stars. It is a shame that no one gave you much credit.
Jason

Geoff, Thank you for the reference. This is a gag I am very fond of, and I am glad to know its origins.

I believe Geoff did that bit in his coins across back in the 70s. I look forward to reading what he puts out in his notes.

Wow! I'm glad I asked . . .

Issues of provenance are too often ignored in magic. I look forward to Mr. Latta setting the record straight in print (on this, and a great many other issues from what I've gathered here at the Café), and I want to thank this forum for its steadfast efforts in continuing the dying tradtion of giving proper credit.

Let's keep it going - what about performance experiences with these routines? Let's not forget PECA . . .

Unfortunately, I've not seen Homer's work, nor in print, so I'm at a disadvantage here. But I thoroughly enjoy PECA by Harbottle.


It gets the reactions and laughs I want from a routine, and I find its a great routine with four coins. No extras, no gaffs.


Just pure old sleight of hand.