that's interesting, Juan Tameriz isn't a magician then? Novel concept...

Okayyyyyy... I have been told by several very, very, very, very, VERY good card magicians that it is good to throw in at least one self-working trick into every routine to switch the methods up and such.
If we are never to do the same trick twice the same way... well the answer is pretty obvious.
If you aren't magician enough to use some easy tricks when appropriate, you might as well start calling yourself a juggler now and get it over with.

I would think that in this context, "self working coin tricks" would be things like a "Scotch & Soda," "China Change," maybe a "Cop/Silv coin" etc., tricks that require minimal skill to perform while delivering notable amazement. I think we all have some of these kinds of tricks, probably started out that way with them as well. I did the same things in offsetting my coin work with a few card tricks...I used to do "Do As I Do or used a Stripper Pack for some effects. I would regard these as somewhat self-working, as to the easy way they make the magic happen without much skill needed. I don't see anything wrong with using these sorts of effects. Most guys that have used them can do a heckuva lot more as well but they probably started with them in one way or another. I have to say that many of these kinds of effects are quite interesting and if used properly can amaze in the same way as more skill-minded effects do, the way gaff effects can be even more amazing than sleight of hand at times, same difference...Bascially it's all good and to each his own really.

While I don't beleive in self-working everything has to be worked at from the simplest to the hardest.
You have gotten some good advice from some good guys.
I would like to throw my hat into the mix.

http://vinnymarini.com/download/onecoin.html

Packs small but plays Big and all you need is a coin and a purse frame.

What ever you choose you won't go wrong.
Just remember to have fun if your having fun then your spectators will too.
Tim

I reckon it's early on that you need a crutch. I'm guessing from your comment about no good routines for gaff coins that you haven't seen Craig Petty's "split happens"? Or for that matter "Flipped out" some truly great routines with gaffed coins.

The routine you are describing seems to be "Paranoiac Pyramid". If I remember correctly the Routine was in Print in Mr. Futagawas Lecture Notes.

Rudi

Paranoiac Pyramid appears in the January 1992 Genii magazine