Hi folks,


Can anyone suggest tricks, or sources for them, that fit the description in my subject line?


I can do a finger palm and a false transfer. I'm sure I can learn the Bobo Switch. I looked in Bobo and found that all the c/s tricks he described either allowed the spectator to hold the gimmick for a moment, or also used shells. I believe that Bobo had excellent audience management skills, but I know I don't, so I want to learn tricks that don't involve specs handling the gimmick.


There's a pamphlet by Jerry Mentzer on c/s, and Cameron Francis and Dave Forrest have a DVD on it. I don't know what the tricks in these last two sources are like, or how hard they are.


Finally, there's a pretty trick by Colombini that starts as a card trick which seems to fail, transitions to a c/s coin trick, and then, as a surprise ending, the selection from the failed card trick turns up in his hand instead of the coin. The problem I see is that it will be obvious to spectators that the "selection" was forced. (Unless I used a mercury fold; not sure how hard that is.)


Any thoughts or suggestions?


Thanks,

Bob

Did you come across Presto Chango in the Bobo book? Just requires c/s coin, half dollar and copper coin. Only sleights are Bobo Switch and finger palm. Nice visual trick. Can hand coins to spectator at the end.

I did! Don't know why I didn't consider it. Thanks, Nicholas.

In my SCA camp hopping days 25 years ago, a favorite had a copper and silver coin pulled from a tiny purse, shown and replaced.
With a story about how an artisan was paid in the 12th century with two coins for weeks work, on for the tithe back to the church,
the silver is extracted, twirled in the fingers, and placed in your pocket to take home to family. The pouch and copper are handed to the Bishop.

Alas, upon reaching home the man discover he has the only the copper coin (handed out) to ffed his family,'
while the wiley Bishop got away with the silver (extracted by the spectator.

Requires little skill as the fake twirl display is optional, plus an extra copper in your pocket fro an easy, out of sight switch

I also have a "hot potato" effect in which a coin switches color as it is passed and tossed back and forth between your two hands.
It requires some sleights not in BoBo but not difficult for the confident in heart.

Also, a C/S variation of Gadabout Coins that will astonish even those "in the know" (or especially them)
The final "vanish to empty in a spectator's hand" can't be done if you believe those magicians who say it can't

Thanks for writing all this out, Ken! I know typing is hard for you these days. Any chance you have the details of some of this already written up and could share it with me?? I like your story about the Bishop, et al.


Bob

A terrific copper/silver effect is Mark Jenest's Short Hop, which is a version of Hopping Halves that uses a copper/silver coin, no shell, and it's not presented as a spectator challenge.

It's on his Miracles While You Wait DVD.

contact me ken@eversway.com
I'll search records for that one, but the others are available. Maybe others as I learn more about the end result you are looking for.

Kam/Harbottle Inferential. Just a C/S and a couple of regular coins.

Here’s a little routine hope you like it

Here's Short Hop that someone mentioned earlier

https://youtu.be/I6yH47hrtes

Simply Magic, what a sweet routine! You have such great repoire with your spectator.

Thanks for suggestion Short Hop, GJo, and for posting your performance of it, Warren. Funny, imginative, and enjoyable presenation as always. I'm going to look for that one.

Thanks, Tom G. This sounds good.

Bob

By the way, I reviewed Short Hop (hadn’t done it myself in a couple years), and while I think it’s the best version of Hopping Halves, it’s definitely not for beginners. It takes some practice.

Good to know, GJo. I haven't watched the explanation all the way through yet, so I don't know all the things I need to learn in order to do the trick. I did note that he uses a classic palm, something that I'm already working on but haven't mastered.

Thanks for sharing this. I feel confident I can do this, which is a rare thing for me and coin tricks.

Always a fan of Shanghai Surprise from Impossibilia by John Bannon.

Thanks, JP. Beyond me at the moment, but maybe someday...

Quote:
On Mar 18, 2026, NicholasD25 wrote:
Did you come across Presto Chango in the Bobo book? Just requires c/s coin, half dollar and copper coin. Only sleights are Bobo Switch and finger palm. Nice visual trick. Can hand coins to spectator at the end.

Levi b:

Thanks for sharing this. I feel confident I can do this, which is a rare thing for me and coin tricks.

Bob: Ditto

You do not have to do it exactly the way Bannon routined it. Do things your own way. Start with the Chinese coins in FP. Do the the copper/silver change. Do a Bobo switch then a Bobo vanish. Really easy and amazing.