The Bounce Pass

This retention vanish was originally recorded in Arthur Buckley’s Principles and Deceptions. It is one of those moves that reads like a pipedream, but when executed properly, it creates a perfect illusion. Due to popular demand, I’m re-describing the move (Buckley was a bit terse in his explanation.)

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Method

The concept is simple: You throw a coin from the right hand into the left. As the coin hits the open left hand, it bounces off the palm and flies back into the right. When the coin hits your left hand, it makes a smacking sound. This gives your audience audio confirmation that the coin is in the hand. Also: the instant the coin hits your hand; it pauses for a nana-second, leaving a visual retention that convinces your audience they’ve seen the coin in your hand. The left hand immediately closes into a fist as though it had caught the coin. Meanwhile, the right hand moves away in a natural manner (as it catches & hides the coin.)

That’s the bare bones… now for some details.

First of all, be aware, this technique uses a lot of body motion. Your actions prior to this sleight should prepare the audience for broad movements. Without proper introduction, this move can stick out like a sore thumb.

Begin with a slight body turn to the left. The left hand is open, palm toward the audience / perpendicular to the floor. The coin lies on the tips of your right fingertips.

Give the coin a sharp toss towards the left hand. Aim for the center of the open palm. Take care not to make the coin gyrate during its journey. As it flies through the air, it should stay ‘flat’ as though it was a (vertical) pancake and your open left hand was the pan. An instant before the coin hits the left palm, the fingers and thumb stretch outward creating tension on the palm. This creates a taught surface for the coin to rebound off. It also amplifies the smacking sound the coin makes. The instant the coin bounces off the palm, close your left fingers as though they’d caught the coin.

If everything has gone as planned (and it will with practice) the coin is now flying back into your right hand. Catch the coin (in a finger palm) as the right hand falls naturally to your side. The right hand should move in one fluid motion during the toss & catch. No pauses allowed. Remember to let your right arm swing naturally as it drops to your side. If you go stiff, it will not look natural.

All that remains is to reap the rewards of your practice… Massage the left fingers, and then slowly open the hand to show the coin has vanished.