Ken
Try noticing what your hand looks like as it hangs naturally without a coin and notice other people's hands as they hang naturally then try to replicate that look with a coin.You are getting great advise from a lot of very knowledgeable people but noticing the natural look of a hand is the key.Don't practice for a day and just casually observe how people hold their hands.Where people conceal and how they conceal is often dependent on what is most natural. The finger palm is considered by most to be the most natural because that is how the average hand looks as it hangs naturally.

Frank

Thanks Frank. Good reminder! Do I take it from your handle that you are in Dallas? I'm in San Antonio:). Just made my first contacts down here today at the local magic shop. Fun stuff.

Thanks again!

Ken

Howdy Ken
I am in Dallas.Go join the SAM/IBM assembly.San Antonio has a great club.We have several members from the Dallas club that have moved here from San Antonio and they give the club down there rave reviews.

Frank

Thanks Frank. I talked to Doug Gorman yesterday and he told me all about both:). Cheers!

Ken

You might also explore the Palmer Clip. This is a takeoff of his handling in Natural Scotch-Soda.

There are many uses and easy to get to from FingerPalm and back. One is the ability to pick up and handle other objects.

It does not replace the Finger Palm or Wilag Subtlety/Ramsey but works in combination for greater finger mobility and showing of the empty hand.

Thanks funsway. I've copied all that down and will check it out.

Ken

I agree with those who noticed that you are gripping the coin too tight. I use my third finger only (most of the time) and I never grip it like you do. Just let it rest there and grip it barely enough to keep it from falling out.Until you get the feel for it you may drop the coin a few times, but once you do get it - and you will get it - the coin will stay there through any movement you make.

Third finger, light touch... don’t clench!

Jim

PS- My hands are average or even a bit small; third finger works for me, and I use it for dollar coins too.

Thanks Jim and everyone else. Here is a picture of the latest version - hand much more flat, 3rd finger is doing most/all of the holding, and other fingers are extended somewhat. Also, the coin is barely supported in there. If I opened the 3rd finger any more, the coin would fall out. I'm thinking that 3rd finger still looks too curled in? Maybe not. One interesting thing I tried today is using a silver dollar instead. My hands are really large, so maybe the amount of curl in my 3rd finger is necessary for a half. Something to think about.



Thanks again!

Ken

The Finger Palm is not one that allows you to keep your hand flat; it is used when your hand is moving around naturally. Watch your own - and other's - hands when they are empty. Notice they are never flat; they all have their fingers curled in partly. Pinky most, index least.

Your FP will look fine and go unnoticed at those times.

You will also have to believe yourself that your hand is empty before others will believe too. (Read Al Schneider for more on that).

Jim

Thanks JIm. I'll find the Al Schneider reference you mentioned.

Ken

^ Agree with J-Mac. Think of it as a transitional sleight. And think of holding something at the same time. A wand, a pen, keys, a coin, etc. I improved my FP immensely when eating meals at restaurantts with fork in hand, the coin hidden the entire time. Try writing with a pen. That, IMO, helps the FP become more natural.

Thanks Atom. I've been doing those things with CP, but it makes sense to do it with other palms.

Cheers,

Ken