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Zackary Loyal user Monroe,Louisiana 210 Posts |
I am not familiar with the Magnetic three shell game or any three shell game but have wanted to get the magnetic one for a while. Could someone please answer these questions. Once you pull the shell backwards and make the the pea vanish can you turn the shell over and show it is not there? Also can this be performed on any(like a smooth,slick)surface?
And was this what Bob Sheets uses in Magic in the Streets. Thanks, Zack |
Larry Davidson Inner circle Boynton Beach, FL 5270 Posts |
You can turn the shell over to show it empty using standard display moves. This particular set doesn't aid in performing that type of display, but does aid in showing the shell empty by simply picking it straight up without turning it over, the same way a Chop Cup is shown empty by simply picking it up.
Bob Sheets does not use this set. Check out some of his work on his video "Absolutely Nuts" which contains an incredible display move that allows you to turn the shell over and show it empty. Larry D. |
Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
The magnets are best used sparingly in a routine. The pea can be shown under the shell by pushing the shell forward and slightly to the right or left, and can be picked up on the magnet by pulling the shell back toward the performer.
One of the best handlings with a single pea is to do a roll flash with the shell with the pea in it. (This is pulling back the shell so that the spectators see a glimpse of the pea at the front of the shell.) Then pick up the shell between the first and second finger of the palmdown right hand (Eddie Joseph method described in Ouellett's routine) lifting it straight up about six inches off the table showing nothing underneath. The hand is held flat, with the second, third, and fourth fingers held together. The shell is then placed down with a sort of short sweep to the left. The pea is pulled off the magnet in the process, exiting the right side of the shell, and goes under the second finger to be pinched between the right second and third finger. The left hand reaches for another shell, to lift and show empty, as the right hand moves just slightly slower to pick up the third shell between the right thumb and first finger, dropping the pea as the shell is picked up. Then the hands are shown empty, and all three shells are turned upside down and shown empty. The best stuff happens when using two peas. With two peas under the shells, and one of them magnetic, miracles can happen. One sequence I like is this: The magnetic pea is on the table, regular pea is pinched between the right thumb and second finger. The left hand picks up a shell, and the right hand picks up a shell. The right hand shell goes over the magnet pea, and the left is put down in front, about two inches between the shells. The magician says "Watch between the shells, that's where the action is..." Both shells are moved back toward the magician, and the magnet pea rolls out from the rear shell and is seen going into the left hand (front) shell. In the process, the right hand loads its pea under the rear shell. Both shells are lifted and the pea is back where it started under the rear shell. The effect is startling--a real neck snapper. The old masters, like Soapy Smith, always used two peas when working the scam. The magnets just make this more practical and add some possibilities. Look at Bob Sheets video carefully, and you will see all kinds of "two pea" ideas that can be enhanced with the magnets. The magnetic peas are great even when used with ungimmicked shells. A magnet under the edge of the table, or behind a tie or lapel, becomes a perfect holdout for the magnet peas. A magnet dropped into the right hip pocket allows you to use the magnetic pea like a hoo coin. My alltime favorite thing with the magnetic shells is the "in the hand" ending. I don't need to carry a shot glass or ashtray or any other prop to get a good ending. The loaded shell is placed into the spectator's hand, and they are told to close it into a fist. The pea can not be felt. A second pea is shown on the table, and covered with one of the remaining two shells. The operator says, "It may be confusing you having so many shells, so we will eliminate one. Now just follow the pea under these two shells." The two shells are moved around each other, and the pea stolen. The pea is ditched in the pocket. The two shells are shown empty, and the spectator is asked to open his hand slowly. The magician shows his hand empty, then slowly pulls the shell away, so that the pea rolls out onto the spectator's hand. This is a killer ending, and the magnets make it clean as a whistle, and easy. I would like to point out that the magnetic shells are most powerful when used sparingly. Most magicians fall in love with a method, and use it way too much. Topits and sleeving come to mind. Use the magnets for a couple of things, not for everything. It is the combination of sleight of hand with the little something extra that throws off the wise guys. You can burn magicians really easily if you throw in a couple of subtle bits with two peas, or with the magnets, in the middle or at the end of a sleight of hand routine. The ability to ring extra peas in and out is what separates a street swindler from most magic presentations, and this is what keeps things going for a long time. I rarely do the normal exhibition routines with the shells. When I do, it is usually my version of Bob Kohler's routine. Most of the time, when I am doing the shells, it is at a corporate or charity event like a casino night where all I do is the shells for two or three hours. Spectators come and go, and some stick around for quite a while. It is important to have a variety of methods available to fool the intense spectators. This sort of performance is closer to the actual swindle, done without shills. The use of magnets (under the edge of the table for example) as a holdout is important. I also make use of the Sharper. This is a hollowed out Sharpie pen that holds five peas, and can deliver them one at a time into the hand. The pen is pulled out and used as a pointer, and the pea is stolen. A pea can be dropped into the breast shirt pocket when the pen is replaced. We will be marketing the Sharper when the book and video come out. We will be explaining its use in the book and showing it on the video. Having a system to seamlessly ring peas in and out of the routine is essential to the actual street type performance. I highly recommend Bob Sheets video Absolutely Nuts to get a better understanding of the use of two peas. Soapy Smith's handling of the shells in the 1800's always involved two peas, and he is considered the greatest worker ever. |
Zackary Loyal user Monroe,Louisiana 210 Posts |
Thank you for your response on my three shell game post.I'm sorry if these are stupid questions. So what kind can you turn over and show them to be empty. Also, Is there a magnetic kind that can do that? What kind does Bob Sheets use.Are they Magnetic?
Thanks, Zack |
Larry Davidson Inner circle Boynton Beach, FL 5270 Posts |
Zack, I responded to the PM you sent me asking me the same questions.
Larry Davidson P.S. - If you're interested in performing this effect, I strongly recommend that you purchase Bob Kohler's "Golden Shells" video and Bob Sheets' "Absolutely Nuts" video. I'm sure that the School for Scoundrels' (Whit Haydn and Chef Anton) book and video will be first class as well. |
Kjellstrom Inner circle Sweden, Scandinavia, Europe 5203 Posts |
Hi.
I use Magnetic Street Shells plus two peas. I recommend the Magnet Shells very much. Its very fun to play with it. Even magicians are fooled/entertained by them This is one of my favourite props, ever... WHIT: Im very interested in your "special" Sharpie pen, when you put it on the market put a comment here or send me a PM. Im also looking for a great DVD with some extraordinary routines. Mats G. Kjellstrom http://www.mastermagic.info |
Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
Mats:
I am glad you enjoy the magnetic street shells. They are a wonderful set. "The Sharper" pen is a sharpie felt pen that has had the "pen" removed. Basically, it is a hollow tube, with the two pieces held together by a piece of brass tubing. The clip portion of the pen has a cutout slot that is not quite large enough for a pea to come out. When pressure is applied with the thumb, a pea will roll out into the finger pinch position very easily and invisibly. The pen holds five peas--working peas or magnetic. The operator uses the pen as a pointer. Whenever he wants, he can steal a pea from the pen to use as a second pea in the routine. He can also use the pen as misdirection for dumping a pea into the breast pocket of his shirt. So the pen enables you to add a second pea at any point in the routine, and to get rid of a pea anytime you need to. We plan to have "The Sharper" on the market early next year. |
Michele Veteran user Taiwan 301 Posts |
This is a great news for " The Sharper" will be on the market. I'm sure looking for it.
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Kjellstrom Inner circle Sweden, Scandinavia, Europe 5203 Posts |
I played with the Magnetic Shells for an old magic friend and he loved them directly. He saw the big "unfair" advantage with these super special shells. He invented several cool techniqes for me
By the way his name is Lars Rapp and his artist name is Delgado. He has a very unique spanish act with guitars as theme... I meet him only once a year at a magic convention. Mats G. Kjellstrom http://www.mastermagic.info |
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