I can put just about any size coin into finger palm without even thinking about it...Classic palm is different....no matter what size coin I use 1/2 dollar or even a dollar size coin - say a morgan dollar coin...It looks like I'm having a palsy attack or a stroke....Yeah, yeah, I know...relax...relax...I'm just holding a coin not a 50 pound weight...Is that about the best tip??? just relax more??

Look at the coinvanish website to get the best idea where it should sit and practice keeping it there. Hint: it's not where the picture in Bobo implies. It sits in a V of muscle from side to side, NOT top to bottom.

Then focus on making the movement as small as possible. It just takes a little movement from the base of the thumb. Your pinky shouldn't squeeze at all-that's what I got wrong the first time.

Then the tip every single expert will recommend: Practice holding a coin in palm while you do other things. Your fingers should be able to move freely.

There are some other subtleties in David Roth's Expert Coin Magic Made Easy videos and in Kainoa Harbottle's Coin U on Reel Magic and Curtis Kam's Bobo series on Reel Magic.

If you can find it, and it's virtually impossible to, Reed McClintock's DVD on the CP is the gold standard.

One more thing: Some people have very successful careers never using CP. It's an essential tool to me but it's not like someone can't do great Magic without it.

I think it was Curtis Kam who pointed out that where and how you perform can make a difference in whether a CP is useful to you. He noted that if you're performing seated at a table and your hands are on or close to the table, and the specs are generally looking down on your hands, a CP can be very helpful. But if you're doing walkaround and your hands are at chest level, then a CP is less useful and other sleights probably might be better in that situation.

A CP is a wonderful tool, and it's a great skill to have, but it may not always the best tool to use. SETH

Kam used primarily dollar sized coins, where cp isn't a very practical concealment. However, with half dollars it is an essential concealment that gives you the freedom to use your fingers (unlike other concealments where the fingers are locked up).

I was lucky to have met Reed McClintock at a convention early on and his advice really emphasized to me the importance of the concealment, as well as correcting the flaws I'd learned from Bobo. That man is brilliant and kind.

If someone specializes in coin work then I think they really need it. If they specialize in close-up they should get good at it. If they are a generalist who does one or two coin tricks they can get by without it.

Another tip: Go to the bank and get rolls of halves. If they don't have them they can order them. Keep enough extras that you don't mind losing some if you drop them and can't find them.

Something Curtis mentions is that the CP depends on some muscles to support it that may not be developed yet. Your palm probably won't be natural until you build up those muscles. This is something that wasn't a factor for me because I was already a strength athlete, but it makes sense. There are some "sport specific" ways to train them for CP which are in Reed's video and which you can infer from Curtis' lesson in Reel Magic.

Other than that technique, which I kind of consider Reed McClintock's IP and not mine to share, you can look at the hands training section on Ironmind to find tools to build those muscles.

The biggest open secret is just doing it all the time. I used to fall asleep with coins in my palms and wake up with them stuck to me. Jusr get used to using your hands and fingers while holding the coins in CP. Do it so much you forget they're there and that's when you'll be natural. You'll lose all of the self-consciousness about it. It's zen like. It's one of the most wonderful feelings in coin magic.

Also learn palm transfers. That will help.

This is where I get my hand training things: https://www.ironmind-store.com/Hand-Health/products/31/

Are you struggling with the actual technique of CP ?
If you are then I also recommend Roth's Expert Coin Magic Made Easy video vol.1

Obsidian52, greetings.

Contact Mb217. (Marion Boykin)

A couple, of years ago,

he put out a little tutorial: 'Jump starting the Classic Palm'.

....nails it!

*I have to warn you, though,...it's kinda 'pricey'(!). : ) !

Stick to it(!) ... like a 'good palm'!
gallagher

p.s.: Just curious, Obsidian,..what's 'in' your 'name'? ... Obsidian?
Always catches me(!).
...and I'm hardly ever here!

I second what gallagher said, Marion's advice on classic palm will definitely help if your struggling with the classic palm, having said that you can do some really good coin magic using a basic finger palm.

Some people can palm a coin easier than others due to the physical make up of their palm.
If you are one of those people whose skin is tighter on the palm....consider using a thumb clip palm.
It is in many ways just as good and in some applications better IMHO.

I found looking into Bertini's Palm really helpful. I went with the videos and not the book.

Biggest thing for me was getting the coin in the right starting point. I kept misunderstanding tutorials and was putting it to high against my thumb

https://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/view......&forum=3

I go into great detail on the classic palm in my lecture that's on the Reel Magic Site.....I promise theres more detail there than anywhere else.....$7 and you get 2000 additional magic videos
www.reelmagicmagazine.com

^I highly recommend Kozmo's lecture. It's fantastic.

Also consider the Palmer Clip as a substitute - with many other advantages.

Check lybrary.com or write me ken@eversway.com for a free copy of the eBook.

A nice thing, with 'the Café',
one can lay back and drift thru years,
of old Forums(!),...
and slip away. : )

I'm laying in a hospital bed right now,
...nothing serious,...just 'check-ups' and 'controls',..
but,.. : ( ... three days(!).

The Café's GREAT!

Here's cool tipp(!),
I just read,
that fits HERE,...in the moment.
from,... May 7th, 2002
In the 'New to Magic' Forum, from 'Wizzbang'.

** One exercise that I have used which really helped me get the Classic Palm working was using a beer bottle.
By putting your little finger in the end and lifting it 100 times, I warmed up and was ready to use the bottle top to practice palming.
Being Aussie you were never short of venues and beer for practice, after a few beers you could also rehearse your comedy act as well...
Never seen this in a book! **
Wizzbang

Altho, I'm kinda comfy, with my Classic Palm,...
one can never become complacent!
I'M(!) gonna give this one a try!
Prost!...!!

gallagher

I agree that doing a coin effect
with beer bottles on your fingertips
will serve to distract from any fumbled sleight

For a C/S effect you could employ
complimentary Lite and Dark brews --
while Matrix might sound like the ending
of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

Always good to see your thought s- get well and out soon.

Sending heartfelt thoughts for a quick recovery Gallagher

Hey Doc,..I really appreciate that. Really.
It's ök.

"Negative".
''Negative'".
"Negative". (!).

...that's POSITIVE !...!! : ))))))))

Still,..thanks man,.. I'll really appreciate your thought.
.(...and others who drop me little notes,..here and there.)

But,,..the YEARS(!), of contrabution, here at the Caf(!..!)....
keeps a mind 'peacefull',.. laying 'in the bed',...waiting....
Thanks again folks,..
AND PLEASE KEEP ASKING AND SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS!....!
..i'm NOT the only one,. who loves it.

In six months,..the 'next round'. NO PROBLEM!...!!
'till then,..
we've some 'palming to do'!...!!
gallagher