There are advantages to using sponge balls for a C&B or Routine, especially if the audience thinks they are solid. Has anyone ever used a "noise maker" to produce a clacking sound when you knock the balls together or against a cup? Might work for a Benson Bowl Routine as well.

Tommy Wonder used a principle similar to this. I think it's in one of his books.

There is something about the mass of a sponge ball - the way it sits and rolls - that makes it difficult to pose as a solid ball.

I would be interested to hear from others who have successfully fooled an audience using this ruse…

Perhaps the type of performance - close-up, parlour or stage - makes a difference?

I'm just not a fan of sponge balls used in C&B routines. Seems to become more of a sponge effect and cups aren't needed. Just my opinion.

Right now, I'm in the process of learning the Fred Kaps routine. He doesn't appear to draw any undue attention to the fact that they are spongeballs.

I bought some new ones and they were much smoother than usual, - didn't look as spongy. As for sound, there might be something to put inside that clicks when struck together perhaps. I wouldn't care to carry another piece of apparatus just to do that however.

To expound a bit. I don't mean to replace the normal crocheted balls or to ever reveal that the balls are sponge -- but to have balls that seem to be marbles and "clack" when struck. I have found that such a noise increases the idea in the spectator's mind that the ball can't move around undetected. If a ball makes a sound when dropped into a cup then later shaking the cup can prove its emptiness without lifting it. Alternately, having a sound within or beneath a cup can prove a ball is inside even if there is not. I have done this with bells successfully.

If the audience can be convinced that the balls are "hard" then the additional sleights available with sponges should increase the possibilities of magic occuring. Guess I'll have to work up a routine as domonstration -- just hoping someone else had already cleared the way.

Here's a Cups Routine with sponges.

Ger Copper.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbkHvjNOr24

I don't know why its sped up????

KG

I've made many many red felt balls of various sizes. I've made them of all felt but I've also made them with a wooden core. You could easily mistake a red felt ball that was 2" with a wooden core for a sponge ball. Then you really could drop them or clack them to ensure they were solid before an easy switch.

Hi Funsway, have a look into Carl Andrews work in that area, you may find some useful ideas.

In addition, for the noise you could just tie a small mint tin to your wrist and put a pebble or something in it to use as a shaker / noise maker. I don't know how effective it will be, you'll probably have to experiment a bit as I'm just think off the cuff.

All The Best

If you are one of those people that can actually perform Roger Klause's dice vanish that could maybe work. You wouldn't be visibly hitting them together, but it could give off the impression of being solid that you are trying to accomplish.

The most useful application of sponge balls I have found besides them traveling to a spectators hand and other traditional uses is in Tarbell vol 1. He holds them billiard style so things appear open and honest but between the thumb and pointer there are two concealed as one. This is not just a way to use their properties but it eliminates any use of a shell.

Also today I just purchased some sponge multicolored golf balls meant as cat toys from PETSMART. I am going to paint them white and could switch them in and out with real golf balls. I have a c&b's routine in mind that usses these. They are something common place that people regognize.

Practice foam golf balls look more like regular golf balls. You can get them at a sporting goods store. The foam is a little more dense, however.

Thanks, Kent. Excellent routine. Speed seems to be a technical glitch.

Uploader's comment "Thanks guys, unfortunately I can not get the right speed on YouTube...tried it several times..bit better quality on Facebook..."

The title of this thread got me thinking. If you could disguise solid wood balls as sponge balls. Do a standard routine and wind up with 3 balls sitting on the table. Hand the balls as a group to the spectator, saying "I should end this now, they're getting hard to work with". With the solid ones being switched in at earlier stages of the routine. Just a thought

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh6_jZ9L9n0