Palming a Coin
The most basic and valuable skill learned
in coin magic is palming a coin. Palming a coin is just what it
sounds like. The magician will conceal a coin (or even multiple
coins if he or she is real skillful) within his or her palm.
This skill will allow you to misdirect the spectator from
believing that a coin exists within your hand.
There are three (3) basic palming
techniques:
Finger Palm
To finger palm a coin simply recognize
that your finger has three sections, place the top of the coin
in the lowest section where the hand meets the finger (middle
section if you are using a larger coin which I have pictured),
and scrunch the skin in the middle of your palm to hold it in
place.
*Practice to the point where you can hold
the coin in place while maneuvering your hand.
Thumb Palm
To thumb palm a coin place the top of the
coin between your thumb and the side of your hand. If your hand
is faced downward then you should not be able to see the coin
while looking down on your hand.
*Practice to the point where you can hold
the coin in place while maneuvering your hand.
Classic Palm
The Classic Palm is the most difficult to
master of the three techniques here. I will give you the basic
rundown on how to perform this technique, but we will have to
get more in depth about this technique in a future newsletter.
Like the other palming techniques, the
classic palm is designed to give you a hand position that looks
natural while concealing a coin. So first you need to relax your
hand. Notice how the palm slightly collapses inward. Now place a
coin in the middle of your palm. Push sideways with the muscle
underneath the thumb to hold the coin in place while the muscle
that is below and to the right of the pinky finger catches the
other side.
*I like to practice the classic palm
position while I am using my mouse at the computer. See how long
you can hold it there without dropping it or a friend
noticing it.
