Hi all,

This morning I had the opportunity to do a cup and balls routine for some co-workers. As this is the third time I have ever done C&B in front of people (and the first time in about three years), I decided to do a "self-working" routine, ie. a routine relying primarily on the "inertia move." So I laid out my three cups and three balls. And then I was about to start, and . . .

I HAD FORGOTTEN THE FOURTH BALL!!!!

It was in my pocket. As this was a very forgiving audience, I asked them to turn around while I got out the ball and placed it under a cup. I had come up with an entertaining routine, written it out, etc. But with that goof, I lost my concentration, proceeded with a routine that at one point was falling apart. Fortunately I did recover, and the end of the routine went really well, the audience was amazed, and I received my applause.

So, I have learned a very important lesson. NEVER forget the fourth ball!

HLT

There's a fourth ball?

Of course!

When you do a four cup routine! LOL

HLT

That's why you always take it out and put it away, the same way, every time.

It's all part of the routine. Just not a part the audience knows or cares about.

I had the same type of experience with a [ coins accross. Got the coins out, began my patter, realized I didn't have the [. It was always on the same stack as the other coins, no idea what happened but it stayed in my wallet...

I since get them out the exact same way every time. It feels less casual to me, but the specs do not know I always do it that way so who cares ;-)

Never forget an important prop when beginning a routine, even if it doesn't exist to the specs :-P

I have always carried a small black drawstring bag (it's actually one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Pet-St......QFN319E2 ) that lives inside the bag with my cups. It has a full set of bals in there, spares. Another important tip is to rotate them so they all get used the same. If you lose one and replace it, it needs to look identical.

Bri

There are routines that only use 3 balls too (one example, the Ken Brooke routine), having this as a back up is useful

Thanks guys for the advice.

HLT

You should also get used to thinking on your feet. When you realized you goofed, you could have found a way to make it work and the audience wouldn't have noticed. When they have to turn around so you can fix something it breaks the illusion that what you are doing is real. They of course know it isn't, but what makes magic so great is that they feel like its real while they know its not. That conflict is what creates amazement. When they have to turn around it breaks the emotional belief in your magic.

Easy fix.

Three balls on table or on cups.
And then you realize, ONE IN THE POCKET (Uh oh).
Take one of the balls make it vanish and lift cup saying, "Look it's now under the cup."
"It's not?"
Place cup back down loading ball under cup.
Reach in pocket. "Oh, I meant it's in my pocket."

And now you're set.

Zach,

I agree with every word you said. It was a beginner's mistake, and my inexperience and lack of concentration were causes. Of course, it is said that making mistakes is the best teacher. I will say that once things got underway, the feat was well received, especially the ending.

Thanks,

HLT

EVILDAN,

Thanks for the advice.

I will say that over the past two months I practiced the cup and balls quite a bit. Part of the practice has been viewing the Michael Ammar videos, and from them I have learned quite a few useful manipulations. And I am improving rather quickly! In the future I will have a much broader repertoire from which to draw next time something unexpected happens.

HLT