Crystal Clear Cups and Chicks

Magic With Themed Party Goods

One Fish, Two Fish
Color Sponge Ball Routine

Bouncy Ball Bag

Zippy Color Sponge Ball Routine

Colorful Cups and Balls

Light Bulb Magic

The Red, White & Blue Three Ball Trick
by Jim Gerrish

The Three Ball Trick is very old. Some history: The Chinese Marble Trick (or Three Ball Trick or Balls in Net) is an ancient trick that was used for centuries (we guess) by Chinese conjurers as a follow-up to cups and balls, in which balls magically cross from one hand to the other. It pre-dates the innovation of sponge balls for magic, and was first performed with solid “hard” balls of ivory, glass (marbles), cork or rubber.

One of the first modern descriptions of the effect was by Edwin T. Sachs in Sleight of Hand (1877). Silent Mora was first to perform it upon a net held by spectators (c.1934). The use of different color balls was pioneered by Dr. Daley's Chromo-Spheres in 1939.

I'm taking the old trick a few steps further using current technology. In the e-Book we will take a journey through magic history, showing the transformation of this centuries old trick into a brand new trick for 21st century audiences. If your national flag is red, white and blue, you are all set, but any three colors can be used whatever your flag or preferences.

All of the "stuff" (except the music stand) that you see in the photo came from Dollar Tree, so it isn't expensive to make.

My original routine contains five phases:

Phase One: Spectator hands you tissues from a box. Roll up three of the tissues into white paper balls. Two balls suddenly change colors to Red and Blue.

Phase Two: Red, White, and Blue balls apparently jump from left fist to right fist. Feel free to add more such jumps from the other Three Ball Trick routines found in this e-Book, including Ball to Pocket jumps.

Phase Three: Color balls apparently jump from your fist to the mouth-down Uncle Sam Hat or other container on your table.

Phase Four: The White Ball “develops” a red star, and when the ball is opened up, it turns into a patriotic party napkin with many red, white, and blue stars and designs.

Phase Five: From the little patriotic top hat I have been using as a container (or any other container you may wish to substitute) is produced a long, flashy, mylar party garland with the red, white and blue stars on it.