Concerning Whit Haydn's Fast and Loose. Which School For Scoundrels chain are you using, the gold or nickle and why did you choose it?
Thank you for your help,
Cynthia

I chose the gold because Denny didn't have any of the nickel when I went. He also suggested (I think correctly), that if I bought the gold now, I wouldn't end up buying it later when if I wanted a fancier looking chain. I think both of the chains are very attractive, but the gold really is beautiful.

Paul

I bought a gold chain off Whit over 2 years ago and it still looks like new, a really good investment.

thanks again Whit.


Darren...

I got the nickel chain because I like silver things better than gold things. A strictly personal choice. I prefer silver cups to gold cups too. The gold chain is very nice and is less susceptible to tarnishing, although my nickel chain still looks great. Either way you can't go wrong. Get the one that matches your fashion sense.

Jim

All that matters is that the chain is the right length and it lays down well. You can use a piece of string, a ball chain, your belt (I have seen a gambler take the money with the belt off his pants!)

I got the nickel chain because I thought at the time that a gold chain would telegraph that this is a game they can't win. According to Whit, and posted somewhere at the Café, a famous Shell Game operator had silver shells made when working a silver mining town. The idea here is that the miners wanted back at him, as he was displaying silver that he had won. This made them play hard and lose more.

You pays your money and you takes your choice. If I were buying this today I'd probably still get the nickel.

Yours,

Paul

Thank you for your responses. Any additional tips are welcomed and appreciated.
Cynthia

I must be the biggest linkster on this web, next link:

http://www.chefanton.com/scoundrelsstore/fl_chains.htm

Both chains are beautiful, but it's the routine and presentation that counts. When I started doing the chain over 20 years ago I actually used a toilet pull chain. In my opinion, the worst chain to use is the ball chain.

Is this generally the same thing as the endless chain as in Gibson's Art of Close-up magic?

If you mean Ganson, yes it is.

I have the nickle chain as well. either chain is good. jim morton does a great fast and loose routine.

Thanks for all your responses. I am leaning towards the nickle chain. Any other tips and/or suggestions are welcome.
Cynthia

Personally, I use the ball chain... For a couple of reasons.

First, as a closer I like to do a one-handed knot in the chain and slowly slide it off the bottom. I found other chains would often snag trying to slide the knot or loop off. I find the ball chain to be so much smoother in that regard.

Second, there is a stratagem I use that sprang from audience conjecture. Some people believe that you may grab the chain from a different place each time. To combat that and add to the "conditions", I like to put my wedding band on the chain and pull from the ring, ensuring a consistent pull location. The ball chain with the clip makes this easy. I'm sure you could add a jewelry clasp to the seamless chains, but I haven't as yet.

It is a matter of personal preference. If you're a gangsta-in-the-hood, then the longer seamless chains (which are very well made by the way) may work for you. If you're an average joe and you'd like to experiment with the game, a brief trip to the local hardware store can set you up.

If you're not the handy type and would like a ball chain set, you could always PM me and I could hook you up...

ajp

Aw shucks! Thanks!

Jim

The gold chain is more elegant. But either of the School for Scoundrels chain work the same because the structure/design of the chain is the same.

A great prop that will last a lifetime. Don't forget to buy the School for Scoundrels Fast and Loose book. The best work on the endless chain.

this idea can also be seen in Acker's book "Natural Selections II" he suggests using the spectator's ring. Since I havent read the School's book on the chain, I don't know really know the origin of this idea.

s