Cups and Balls

Manolo Cañas Cups & Balls

Manolo Cañas, a magician from Málaga, performs the Cups and Balls.

Luna De Verano was a television program produced in Spain for Canal Sur in 1990. We would like to thank Juan Tamariz and Luis Piedrahita for making this content available.

Submitted Thu, 11/08/2018

Sonny Hayes Cups & Balls

Juan Tamariz demonstrates a close-up version of the "Chop Cup" followed by an unusual stage version by Sonny Hayes and Galina.

Chantatachán was a program produced for Telemadrid in 1992-93. We would like to thank Juan Tamariz and Luis Piedrahita for making this content available.

Submitted Thu, 05/17/2018

David Williamson The Cups & Raccoons

David Williamson defies description. Nothing to read here. Move along.

While his "Cups and Balls" routine uses only two cups, as opposed to the traditional three, that is not the reason this routine is unusual.

Chantatachán was a program produced for Telemadrid in 1992-93. We would like to thank Juan Tamariz and Luis Piedrahita for making this content available.

Submitted Mon, 05/14/2018

René Lavand Breadcrumbs

Argentinian magician René Lavand performs one of his most well-known pieces; the Three Breadcrumbs is the classic "Three Ball Routine" layered with rich poetry and symbolism.

Chantatachán was a program produced for Telemadrid in 1992-93. We would like to thank Juan Tamariz and Luis Piedrahita for making this content available.

Submitted Tue, 04/24/2018

Take Two #55: The Oldest Trick In the Book

What accounts for the longevity of this classic? A recent survey has been touted that suggests that the public supposedly dislikes the classics of magic. The results of this survey mean—well, absolutely nothing to me, because the survey simply measures participants’ preconceived notions about magic. I, for one, have no interest in creating art based on random surveys or focus groups; I’ll leave that to lousy summer blockbuster movies.

Submitted Tue, 04/24/2018

in Take Two

The Cups and Balls and Me

Louis Tannen, the founder and original proprietor of Tannen’s Magic in Manhattan, was the first person to teach me sleight of hand. He taught me sponge balls when I was about ten or eleven years old, and later dice stacking, and the Chop Cup. By the time I was about 13 I was performing the Chop Cup for my parents’ friends at home cocktail parties, behind our four-stool home bar....

Submitted Fri, 03/30/2018

in Lyons Den

Paul Gertner The Cups and Balls

Paul Gertner performs his celebrated version of the classic "Cups and Balls" using steel ball bearings. Recorded by Larry Thornton in San Francisco, CA.

Submitted Tue, 08/22/2017

Johnny Ace Palmer Cups and Balls

Johnny Ace Palmer performing the Cups and Balls at a private recording session in Los Angeles, CA in 1978. Later in his career, he would become known for performing the Cups using live baby chicks.

Filmed by Larry Thornton

Submitted Tue, 07/18/2017