Hey Everyone,

Hmm, I thought I'd give a review on this book I got about... 2 months ago. I don't know if you guys remember it. Basically it's a book that teaches you the art of Coin Snatching.

Coin Snatch, a test of reflexes where you leave a coin in a spectator's hands outstretched, and try and grab it from him before the spectator can close. Well, that's what the title says, but in actual fact, that's only the surface of it. The coin snatch, in reality, involves switching the coin in the spectator's hands in place of another coin of a different denomination of course. Hmm, is it worth buying this book?

I've always loved tests of speed. Anything related to do with speed, I like. I love. Basically I was skeptical about this product, firstly it being in a book, and not a video. I'm plain lazy to read really, but I watched the movie Bloodsport and it showcased the Coin Snatch, (switch in reality) and it was freaking awesome. I wouldn't say it's the best of effects, but it's a REPUTATION BUILDER. Just like as said in the book. This demonstration of speed isn't done alone. It's an add-on. And my, if you can pull it off, it's a huge add-on to how people look at you.

I personally find the effect great, but the practise methods differ greatly as compared to other magic products I've bought. Let's just say the methods to practising this are more or less the same to practising martial arts. You don't practise it in front of a mirror, because basically there are no angles. Your success rate depends somewhat, somehow on who you're performing to.

You'll need to practise this with your friends, experimenting with different types of people to get the technique down. Mind you, it's an act you have to practise everyday, if you wish to get it down right.

The book teaches you variations of the basic snatch, all of which, I find very good. Keith Pascal is truly a master. :) The book teaches you a handful of tips that actually help magicians and martial artists in their own respective ways. Performance-wise, you'll gain a few tips. :)

Of course, some may argue that this act isn't magic, and it's just a demonstration of speed. It depends all on your perception of it. I love to perform it whenever people say I have very fast hands to pull off my other tricks. Overall, I'd say that this effect is one of those extreme effects where you either consider it magic, or not. It doesn't have the shock of Revolution but it does answer doubts of audiences who wonder if a magician's hands are the fastest around.

It's an act to shut people up when people start to get cocky. Perform it, and when you snatch and leave another coin in their closed palms, they'll arrogantly say that you failed and still have their coin. Smile, and let the result speak for itself.

Don't get me wrong. What really makes this act worthwhile is what you say, how you build this act up. Your patter has to be solid. Convincing, and taken down the right path. You can't go 'Let me show you something. Watch.'... They'll call you a show-off. But injected inside a powerful routine of your own, this effect can kill. Seriously.

I haven't been paying much attention to it. I don't have the time and energy to practise the snatch. Haha. But yeah, it's a recommended product if you're into this line of demonstrations. :)

Hope this review helps. It's an unpopular product, and is rarely ever, or if not, at all, spoken off in this forums. But yeah. Enjoy. :)

The Xterminator
My personal rating: 8/10, for those who enjoy the adrenaline of speed.

Hmm.. From the way you say it.. It sounds contradicting.. One moment you are saying it's not actually using speed snatching.. The other moment you are saying it's speed snatching.. So which is it? Is it just a coin version of the 2 card monte?

Picture this ... Bruce Lee would place a dime (10 cents) in the participant's hand. He told the participant to close his hand, before Bruce could steal the coin.

The participant closed his hand as fast as possible. He felt that he had succeeded. He thought that he still held the coin.

When the spectator opened his hand, he was astonished to find that he no longer held the dime. A penny (one cent) had been left in its place.

-Quote from Ellusionist-

This is the effect itself, in case I didn't state it clearly. :) My Apologies. :)

This is the Link to the Book itself, from E. :)

http://www.ellusionist.com/order/Coin-Snat...Pascal.php?cat=

Something similar was also taught on Osterlind's Mind Mysteries Too.

Osterlind taught 2 approaches to the coin snatch. I can't remember the exact details but this is something fun to do.

Using the technique taught and some practice, it can make you look like The Flash.

But does the spec actually see you reaching for the coin?

Or does the performer get so fast that the spec doesn't even notice the performer reaching for the coin?

Its more of a challenge to the audience that you can grab the coin before the volunteer closes his/her hand despite them having the advantage.

I would not classify this as a magical effect but rather a feat that you can perform.

Oh and yes, the audience does see you reaching out to grab the coin.

Yeap. Exhordon's right. The spectator does see you reaching for the coin. He feels your hand grabbing the coin, but only you know that you are actually switching the coins, and not just snatching.

So basically the spectator doesnt feel the coin move, but in reality, the coins have been switched, say like, a dollar coin to a 20 cent coin. The result is shocking, depending on how you build up the coin. :)

So basically in words,

You talk to spectator.

Spectator agrees to the challenge.

Spectator has a 20 cent coin in an outstretched hand.

You hold your hand above his, ready to grab.

You reach down, as he closes.

Boom!

He tells you "Haha. Loser, I still have the coin!!"

You tell him, "Oh really...?"

You show him the coin you snatched, the 20 cent coin.

Spectator, shocked, opens his palm, and sees a 1 dollar coin in there.

The result speaks for himself. Fastest hands around.

:)

Note:

Erm, some of my spectators have complained that their hand feels quite painful. :P I keep very short nails, so if you've got long nails, preferably you'd think twice before you hurt your spectator grabbing for the coin. :P
Enjoy. :)

Osterlind has one version? Hmm, I'll want to check things out then. I know Keith Pascal is one hell of a master at this. :)

Sounds interesting. Would love to see you do it in an outing.

Yea sounds cool. Hope to see it performed. Come snatch it from my "lighting hands".

How much practise does this take to perform it nicely?