The Six Coin Routine

Before I get into all the sources for this routine let me point out what I think makes this a good routine. The first point would be the use of six coins instead of just three coins. If you really think about it, it is just three coins across. But the addition of three more coins makes it seem much bigger than it really is. The main reason is that the effect is perceived differently. It is not just three coins going into the other hand one by one, it is the whole balance changing. Form 3/3 to 2/4 to 1/5 to None/6. It somehow feels bigger, as the whole layout is bigger. A drawback to this of course is the amount table space that is used. So I be honest saying that I uses this in my street show. It's not that great for table hopping.

The second point is the finish in the spectators hand. Common it seems, but not really. Most magicians I met told me that they fear that sort of action. Well with 5(6) coins there is no excuse.

The third point would be the simple fact that you start very clean, with no extra coin hidden. That allows for ultra clean handling. You can even say "Make sure to notice that I got nothing in my hands." That is a great advantage to cancel the thought of extra coins in play. Of course the method is switched on the last coin allowing for the last coin to be seen before it vanishes, creating time misdirection to post-hide the method that was really employed.

Right after the "Across" part the routine continues with the "Bar Bet" style trick of taking out a coin from the spectators hand before the spectator closes it. This is a crowd-pleaser if you have the correct performing style with the right power claim. In this case it would be the "jester" and "trickery". The jester can actually challenge the audience without pissing them off, while trickey needs to be the obvious power claim, to make the routine believable.

Now most of the palms and click passes come straight from "Modern Coin Magic" by J.B. Bobo. But the routine itself draws heavy inspiration by Eddie Fechters 6-4-5 Coin trick, published in "Fechter - The Magic of Eddie Fechter" by Jerry Mentzer (page 153). I highly suggest checking out this one. Ending the "Across" part in the spectators hand is of course derived from sponge ball magic's most important book: "The Encyclopedia of Sponge Ball Magic" by Frank Garcia.
The entire last routine somehow remains a bit unclear. It is published in "Magic For Dummies" by David Pogue (page 68) with an in depth explanation why the trick works, but this is not where I got it from. When I was six or seven years old (still being in first grade) I was in Prague in former Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic) And there was a street performer there. An old man. And he did what I consider "magic failure worthy" nowadays. He explained the magic he performed for a few korunas. And that trick was part of his explanation. He used just five coins if I recall correctly but it stuck with me.
The cool part about this trick is the simple fact that you can actually repeat it. And it gets better each time.

Btw: if you wonder if this routine is actually doable in front of real spectators...

Packet To Packet by Eddie Fechter

Fechter, The Magic of Eddie Fechter by Jerry Mentzer
Page 263 et seq.

Personal Comment: The last trick in the book. And a good one. Easy to do and Clear Effect!

Difficulty 2/5

No Pile by Eddie Fechter

Fechter, The Magic of Eddie Fechter by Jerry Mentzer
Page 261 et seq.

Personal Comment: Here is what I added: In the original version the packet under the hand of the spectator would only consist of 4 cards. Essentially the effect would be that 3 cards vanish. But having them arrive in the other packet you have another effect. You say that you want to make the selection go under the spectators hand, which is a powerful claim. At least all of the other cards go under the hand. And that is maybe not what is being anticipated, but sort of OK, because three instead of one goes. And yeah, I know my Biddle Stuff sucks!

Difficulty 3/5

Homing Card by Eddie Fechter

Fechter, The Magic of Eddie Fechter by Jerry Mentzer
Page 125 et seq.

Personal Comment: My own version of the homing card is very close to this one. I changed a few thing here and there and made the last card a lot more bold, but the effect remains the same. And Eddie's version is very much to the point. Hardly any convincers and quite a few discrepancies. Do I like it? You bet I do!

Difficulty 3/5

That's It by Eddie Fechter

Fechter, The Magic of Eddie Fechter by Jerry Mentzer
Page 59 et seq.

Personal Comment: Interesting. It is just one card that seems to change, but it seems like there is a much more complex thing going on. Certainly this will not go into my repertoire but I like it nonetheless.

Difficulty 2/5

You Would Lose by Eddie Fechter

Fechter, The Magic of Eddie Fechter by Jerry Mentzer
Page 49 et seq.

Personal Comment: Talk about straight forward method... I can see how many magicians do not like this, as it has no convincers, no nice displays and little cover for the move. There are many, many cutting the aces out there. A really nice thoughful version by David Regal comes to mind. But this is bold and I think deceptive enough to pass. Did I mention easy? I feel drawn more and more to Fechter's work, as I can see that his body of work is the result of a true worker. More of Eddie to come this week.


Difficulty 1/5

Changing Aces by Eddie Fechter

Fechter, The Magic of Eddie Fechter by Jerry Mentzer
Page 57 et seq.

Personal Comment: Lovely in a way. As most of Fechter's material. To the point with a straight forward method. Also I don't see myself doing this one, unless I am in a dimly lit room, as there is no chance for error. Unless you don't do the "snapping".

Difficulty 5/5

I've Got A Surprise For You by Eddie Fechter

Fechter, The Magic of Eddie Fechter by Jerry Mentzer
Page 129 et seq.

Personal Comment: I simply cannot get my spectators to turn over the tabled card. I ALWAYS have to do it myself. My audience is either to polite or I am not doing it right. Either way it still is a pretty good trick. Short, sweet, to the point and the method is clean. How can you not like it?

Difficulty 2/5