I too am recently starting the cups (decided to expand my horizons). I actually purchased an aluminum set that looks very nice and professional. People don't even know they are aluminum. They ran about 12 dollars...so if I don't like working with them...I am only out 12 bucks.

I have "Now you see it, now you don't" by Bill Tarr. Is the book good enough for me to learn some basics?

Do I need a close-up pad for cups and balls?

I don't think you would need a close up pad for the cups and balls.It is hard to keep the balls from rolling around on a table but you can just put down a towel. When I am doing table hopping I don't carry around a mat. I just lay down a napkin and it works fine to keep the balls from rolling all over the place.
Shawn D

Limhanchung,

Yes, I think that Tarr's book would give you a good basic start. Once you've learned that, Michael Ammar's tapes would be a good next step.

Dwight

ShawnD- if you don't have a close up pad, & are short on $$, try a large piece of felt. Anything that gives friction to slow down the rolling of the balls will work well.

MM

I saw a nice routine in an Ian Adair book using plastic flowerpots.

The Ramsay routine uses really simple props, cork balls and two ice cream cups and two tomatos.

Much of the Vernon routine will work with coffee cups and napkins.

Dude, save your money and just buy a couple of good books. The right props are those that suit your performing environment. You could get the nice silver cups or take that same money and buy most every book that describes the trick and learn them all. Try NOT to compromise on this. I suggest learning the WHAT and HOW before getting involved with the props.

If you are a rank beginner, the Vernon routine may be a little beyond your skills, but it is a good goal to shoot for, or at least a good stopping place along the road.

Good books would be my first choice, my second would be the Ammar DVD's.

But I would get a decent beginner's set of cups. The copper cups from Bazar de Magia are very nice for the money. I have a friend who felt inspired to really work hard on the Vernon routine when I gave him a set of those for his birthday. Just a couple of months ago, he placed second in the Louisville magic club close-up competition and received lots of nice compliments on the work he did.

But when it comes to cups and balls -- books rule!!!!

What is the difference between aluminium,brass and copper cups?

Big difference is weight with aluminium being the lightest. Personally I did my first cups and balls with plastic cups from my son's magic set...

The Ramsay routine has been overlooked by many. It is fantastic and you just use ice cream cups painted or plain. Ramsay painted them with silver paint.

The four ounce cups of ice cream are pretty good for that routine. And come with covers.

Check out Dai Vernon's routine in "Stars of Magic", you get a top notch book for a decent price and it has much more than just his impromptu cups and balls routine. Definitely one of the best books in my collection. The Ammar book is nice, but if you are unfamiliar with the routine, it can get confusing. Just be sure to focus your practice and not get ahead of yourself.

If you really don't want to put out any money to buy some possibly expensive props, you might look at the routine in Tarbell's "Course In Magic" (volume 1). It uses common paper coffee cups, and 1" sponge balls.

This full routine will give you the basics and ends with a final load of a lemon, an onion, and a potato under the cups.

This'll give the look and flavor of a cup and ball routine. An added advantage is that it doesn't look "proppy". It's an almost impromptu effect, and you can use it to introduce a sponge ball routine.

That way you can try out the routine and decide for yourself if you like the basic effect, and if you are willing to make the investment in time and effort to learn the routine.

The Tarbell is a basic investment in every serious magician's library, and you can use the basic principles of the other material in the book as a jumping-off point for many routines, and effects.



Happy New Year !!

Hi, I am a little confused. I have absolutely no, but then I mean no, knowledge of cups and balls. But I do want to start because it is an incredible piece of magic!!!!!!

But now what I am confused about is what to start with; Michael Ammars complete cups and balls, table hopping cups and balls, Dai Vernon.

Just wondering
greetings pep

Reread this thread again! Especially take note of the fifth post (one made by Pete Brio).

The Ammar tape set includes the Dai Vernon routine. The Table Hopping Cups and Balls is a two-cup routine with strengths and weaknesses (discussed at length here at the Café. Try a search on it).

I am really getting a little confused here. I though Pete Biro is saying that Ammar's tapes/dvd's are a little to difficult to start on but now according to Harry Murphy it is included. I searched the net and for instance this site: http://murphysmagicsupplies.com/catalog/......lls.html does say that it is included but is the rest of the material to difficult or to advanced to start with. That's just what I didn't quite get.
But thanks anyway. I am going to search some more boards and use the search fucntion and there was something with last years archive, I think I'll take alook over there as well.

thanks all!! these forums are really teaching me a lot!
greetings Pepijn

I don't think it was me that comment on Ammar's tapes, what I WAS SUGGESTING was the Stevens video that shows several different routines and teaches them all, so you can see the various ways to go.

It is at http://www.stevensmagic.com

And, as said, go back and re-read the posts.

And, just start doing the cups with anything around, tin cans, cups, bowls ANYTHING just start learning to do the basic passes and loads.

And hey, you might come up with some of your own ways.

The Stevens Cups & Balls Teach In DVD shows 4 C&B performances, including Michael Ammar's routine done by Michael Ammar. They are all very entertaining and educational.

The Ammar Complete Cups & Balls DVDs teach basic techniques, and more advanced techniques, but does not teach Michael Ammars routine. It teaches the Dai Vernon Routine (and other more simple routines building up the the Vernon routine).

I started with the Mark Wilson routine as taught in his complete course in magic book and highly recommend it. Then buy the Stevens Teach In DVD. It is so entertaining and great to see multiple performer's renditions of the Cups & Balls.

Don't worry about metal cups for a while. You can find some great plastic ones at the grocery store that will stack nicely for the Wilson rouinte.

Thanks a lot all of you.

I really apreciate the help!! (smile)

thank you very much Mr. Biro for clarifying. I misinterpretated totally my fault. My appologies. I am definitly going to look in to the stevens Cups & Balls teach in dvd. It looks very promosing.

Thanks a lot!
greetings
Pepijn