Pool and Bar Magic

[nornb]

Chef,
Do you have any tips on mixing together playing pool, trick shots and performing magic.

I am a terrible pool player, but I can see how you could possible use the balls in an effect, the cue also, and then use the table as a large close up mat.
I assume a pool table mat is a good size to both perform on and give a largish perimeter to allow a number of people to watch and yet keep them back from the tabled props.

Any thoughts?
All the best,
Norn

ps I enjoyed your performances on the SfS 3C Monte DVD

[DVHarris]

Hi Nornb,

I know you addressed this question to Chef Anton, and this may not be what you had in mind, but this has always received a positive response from those who have seen me perform it.  Actually, it's a variation of the old Salt Trick.  You know the one where you have a card selected, and returned to the lower half of the decks, and drop a few grains of salt on the selection.  Next, you drop or place the deck on the floor, and give it a light kick, or nudge with your foot.  The deck cuts at the selection due to the presence of the salt.  This can be applied to the pool table as well.

First, go to the local pharmacy and purchase one of the Isotonic type squeeze balls for stress release.  You can tell the type because they feel like they are filled with sand.  Actually, they are filled with very tiny glass beads which are perfectly spherical.  Cut open the stress ball over a glass jar.  You can put a small amount into a suitable container for your pocket.  Because of the spherical nature of the beads, they are much more efficient than salt.

So, reach into your pocket, and get a few of the glass beads under your fingernail. Have a card selected and returned to the top of the lower half of the deck, dropping a few of the glass beads onto the back of the selection.  Square the deck and put it onto the surface of the pool table. 

A three cushion bank shot is most impressive, but almost any shot where the cue ball strikes the deck lightly will cause the top half of the deck to roll to one side, exposing the back of the selection.  Turn it over to reveal the chosen card.

I do not know the parentage of this idea.  I assume it is an obvious extension of the Salt Trick mentioned above, and others have come up with similar approaches.

I hope you find this useful, or at least stimulating.

Be Well,
   ~ DV

[Pop Haydn]

Excellent idea, DV. I had never heard of the glass beads thing. I had heard of using the salt trick on the pool table. Glad you brought it back to mind. Thanks!

[nornb]

Thanks DV,
This has taken my thinking in a totally different direction.

BTW
The tiny spherical beads like you describe are used in the oil industry. I believe they are pumped down a well in order to wedge open tiny cracks in the formation to increase oil flow.

I came across them in a warehouse, a container of these spheres had split.
There was a very light dusting of these spheres on the floor, it was extremely slippery - I landed on m ???y ass. 

Maybe an illlusionist could use this to move a heavy object easily. Just a thought.
Thanks again.
All the best,
Norn

[nornb]

February 2006.
If anyone is interested there is a page on Allmagic.com this month about using a pen as a dispenser of salt for a trick similar to the one descibed by DVHarris obove.

It is called Radar Pens and is written about by Richard Robinson.

http://allmagic.com/magicshow/closeup/radarpens.html

I think this should be up on the site for at least a few months.

[James in Toronto]

The Radar Pens link is down, but this is the archived version. My idea with the salt trick is to carry a couple of the little salt packets you get at McDonalds, and open one of those when you're ready to do the trick.

[Smiley]

My idea with the salt trick is to carry a couple of the little salt packets you get at McDonalds, and open one of those when you're ready to do the trick.

I used to do this on a regular basis, but for a different reason.  I was in a lot of physical altercations at the time and I like to win those - whatever that means in the circumstances. 
I'd carry a few unopened fast food salt packages I could open easily and in a hurry while still concealed in a pocket.  When the opponent(s) came within range I'd have my hands free of my pockets and full of salt.  When they attacked I'd toss a handful in their eyes and make good my escape... usually immediately; but sometimes a few more measures were necessary to guarantee they wouldn't be following very soon. 

Smiley