Sequences

166 entries in Cup / Cups & Balls / Two & Three Cups Routines / Sequences
Creators Title Comments & References Year Source Page AA Categories
Cups & Balls Sequences phases and sequences with balls and cups or candle holders, saltseller covers, ...
 		1584
The Discoverie of Witchcraft (Issue XXIII)
182
Cups and Balls Routine
  • Pass I. Having Placed a Ball under each Cup, to draw it out again without Lifting the Cup
  • Pass II. To make a Ball Travel invisibly from Cup to Cup
  • Pass III. Having placed a Ball under each of the end Cups, to make them pass successively under the Middle Cup
  • Pass IV. Having placed two Balls under the Middle Cup, to make them pass under the two Outer Ones
  • Pass V. To pass three Balls in succession under One Cup
  • Pass VI. To place three Balls one after the other upon the top of one of the Cups, and to make them fall through the Cup on to the Table
  • Pass VII. To pass three Balls in succession upwards through the Table into one of the Cups
  • Pass VIII. To pass two Balls in succession from one Cup to another without touching them
  • Pass IX. To make three Balls in succession pass under the Middle Cup
  • Pass X. The "Multiplication" Pass
  • Pass XI. To Transform the Small Balls to Larger Ones
  • Pass XII. To again Transform the Balls to still Larger Ones
 		1876
Modern Magic
279
Martignoni Der schwarze Wollball compressible pompom ball load, starting out under arm or on thread, advantages of sponge balls listed
 		Apr. 1898
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 4 No. 4)
58
Eddie Joseph Showing One Ball When Holding Two
1936
A Practical Lesson on Cups and Balls
3
Eddie Joseph 1st. Finale number is named, repeat production of a ball, handling for final loads
 		1936
A Practical Lesson on Cups and Balls
4
Eddie Joseph 2nd. Finale two cups placed mouth on mouth, smoke from cigarette appears inside
 		1936
A Practical Lesson on Cups and Balls
5
Eddie Joseph 3rd. Finale liquid produced from cup, gaffed cup
 		1936
A Practical Lesson on Cups and Balls
5
Eddie Joseph 4th. Finale production of three filled glasses under cups, using Percy Abbott's "Keene" holder
 		1936
A Practical Lesson on Cups and Balls
5
Eddie Joseph Additional Moves a. spectator holds cup on palm, ball appears under it
b. borrowed hank vanishes and appears under cup
 		1936
A Practical Lesson on Cups and Balls
6
Laurie Ireland No-Sleight Sponge Ball Method
1938
Greater Magic
663
Ellis Stanyon The Stanyon Lessons for the Cups and Balls part 7
 		Feb. 1938
The Jinx (Issue 41)
282
Ellis Stanyon The Stanyon Lessons for the Cups and Balls part 8
 		Mar. 1938
The Jinx (Issue 42)
288
Ellis Stanyon The Stanyon Lessons for the Cups and Balls part 9
 		Apr. 1938
The Jinx (Issue 43)
293
Ellis Stanyon The Stanyon Lessons for the Cups and Balls part 10
 		May 1938
The Jinx (Issue 44)
302
Ellis Stanyon The Stanyon Lessons for the Cups and Balls part 11
 		June 1938
The Jinx (Issue 45)
308
Ellis Stanyon The Stanyon Lessons for the Cups and Balls part 12, including
- The Travelling Sugar
- Four Paper Balls and Plates
- The Walnut Shells and Pea
- Thimble Rigging
- Chinese Marbles
 		July 1938
The Jinx (Issue 46)
314
R. M. Jamison Illusive Cups-Balls Opening
Apr. 1939
The Jinx (Issue 55)
392
Sleight for the Cups and Balls cup on spectator's hand, ball travels underneath
 		1939
The Magic Annual for 1938 and 1939
73
Charlie Miller Penetration of Cup with Ball
June 1940
Chap's Scrapbook (Vol. 2 No. 12)
3
Eddie Joseph The "Jam" Vanish
1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
20
Eddie Joseph The Elevator Pass ball passes upwards through stack of cups
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
21
Eddie Joseph Through Passage ball penetrates cup when dropped into it, multiple phases
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
22
Eddie Joseph The Spidora three balls dropped into three cups, they all assemble in one
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
23
Eddie Joseph Real Ice Cream Cone from Cup with dry ice in cup to keep it cold
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
30
Eddie Joseph Chinese Lantern from Cup
1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
33
Eddie Joseph Large Stack of Coins from Cup
1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
34
Eddie Joseph The Rainbow Streamers
1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
35
Eddie Joseph The Shower of Cards cards produced from cup
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
36
Eddie Joseph The Bird Nest live canary hidden in cup throughout routine
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
36
Eddie Joseph Another Canary Production from gaffed cup
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
38
Eddie Joseph The Reptile in the Cup spring snake from gaffed cup
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
39
Eddie Joseph The Water Fountain small water fountain comes out of mouth-side-up cup
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
40
Eddie Joseph The Fire Cracker from cup, "This will wake up the sleeping ones."
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
41
Eddie Joseph The Three Glasses loading liquids under cups, using "Squeeze-It" props
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
41
Eddie Joseph The Fire Fountain small firework from cup
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
42
Eddie Joseph Firing the Cup fire from cups
Related to
  • "The Flaming Cups" (earlier Eddie Joseph book on Cups and Balls)
 1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
43
Eddie Joseph Spontaneous Combustion palmed fire gimmick to produce fireworks from cup
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
43
Eddie Joseph The Repeat Production producing nested articles
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
44
Eddie Joseph Masterpiece Glass of Liquid Production from cup
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
44
Eddie Joseph The "Phantom" Load fruit stuck in cup to handle cups freely
  • First Method
  • Second Method
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
45
Eddie Joseph The Cotton Mill long cotton thread produced from cup
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
47
Eddie Joseph The Inexhaustible Stream
1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
48
Eddie Joseph The "Blooming" Roses spring flowers from cup
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
48
Eddie Joseph Brimful of Wine wine production from cup
 		1942
The Last Word on Cups and Balls
49
Tom Sellers Cups and Balls Notion water finale for cups and balls
 		1943
Magical Mixture
7
The Finger-Grip palm of a ball
 		Oct. 1943
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 1 No. 5)
17
To Load a Bill under a Cup
Oct. 1943
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 1 No. 5)
17
Senor Charles Mardo Mardo’s Cups and Balls Routine
1945
Routined Magic
13
M. E. Faber Triple Climax to Cups & Balls red sponge balls and golf balls with shell
 		1947
Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1947)
23
John Ramsay Secret Introduction of a Large Ball Under Left Cup
1948
John Ramsay's Routine with Cups and Balls
58
John Ramsay Secret Introduction of a Tomato under that Cup
1948
John Ramsay's Routine with Cups and Balls
63
U. F. Grant Cups and Balls Finale small cups, one filled with drink
 		Jan. 1949
Grant's Inner Circle Magazine (Vol. 1 No. 4)
14
Al Baker Miscellaneous Hair Tricks
  • cup moves on the table
  • animated bill
  • remote haunted deck
  • rising coin/card from glass
  • throwing a loose deck of cards to a spectator over some distance
  • balancing cane/umbrella
Also published here 1951
Pet Secrets
22
Penetration of Cup with Ball
Also published here 1953
Classic Secrets of Magic
196
Edward Marlo Marlo's Move with sponge balls, sequence
 		Oct. 1954
The New Phoenix (Issue 318)
78
Eddie Joseph "The 'E.J.' Extended Routine" three surprise climaxes, matches, handkerchief and bills
  • The Pseudo-Explanation
  • Invisible Passage
  • From Hand to Hand
  • "The Three Surprise Climaxes"
  • Suggestions for Varying the Climaxes
 		1956
The Hindu Cups
26
Charlie Miller Charles Miller's "Cups and Balls Move" penetration of cup with ball
Also published here 1957
The Dai Vernon Book of Magic
188
Bob Lewis Cups and Balls Idea
1957
The New Phoenix (Issue 347)
215
Don Tanner All Balled Up No. 43, spring flowers as final load in cups and balls routine
 		1958 ca.
50 Tricks and Ideas with Spring Flowers
13
Frank Sauer Loads of Fun loading technique, seated
 		1962
Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1962)
44
Eugene Gloye Fan-Ta-Cups cups to make balls appear during the routine
Related to Jan. 1962
The New Phoenix (Issue 365)
287
Edward Marlo Jam It short cups and balls routine, small ball jammed into top of cup
 		Feb. 1962
The New Phoenix (Issue 366)
291
Eugene Gloye Further Routines with Fan-Ta-Cups
  • A Novel Routine with Fan-Ta-Cups
Related to Mar. 1962
The New Phoenix (Issue 367)
296
Joseph M. White Trick Turtles three card selected, three turtles appear under cups with name of cards written on them
Inspired by Aug. 1966
The New Jinx (Vol. 5 No. 52)
214
David Berglas, Alex Elmsley The Cups and Balls billiard balls as final loads
 		1969
The Art of Close-Up Magic — Volume 2
192
Frank Pongrac Tips various ideas
  • Snkae Drawer Box
  • Blooming Stooge, German Sealed Milk Glass & Baker Shaker combination
  • Multiplying Billiard Balls & Cups and Balls combination
  • idea for Allerton's Aspirin Box
Inspired by 1970
Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1969-70)
137
Galloping Post sequence with cups and ball
Related to
  • Modern Magic Manual (Jean Hugard)
 Oct. 1970
The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 5 No. 12)
369
Dr. Jacob Daley Daley's Cup And Ball Extra Move No. 261, ball penetrates cup and is then split into two (perhaps)
 		1972
Jacob Daley's Notebooks
65
Cups And Balls Monte Effect No. 470, idea of using an odd-colored ball for monte effects
 		1972
Jacob Daley's Notebooks
131
Cup And Ball Move No. 517, balls from hand to under cup
Related to 1972
Jacob Daley's Notebooks
145
Dr. Jacob Daley Cup And Ball Final Production No. 551, flowers as final load as gifts for ladies
 		1972
Jacob Daley's Notebooks
154
Al Baker Al Baker Cup Cup Ball Move No. 624, using five balls, no details
 		1972
Jacob Daley's Notebooks
174
Karl Fulves Cup & Ball Technique
  • Cup & Ball Opener
three balls placed under three cups gather under one cup, no extra ball
 		July 1973
The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 8 No. 9)
641
Karl Fulves Cup & Ball Technique
  • Three To Go
 		Aug. 1973
The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 8 No. 10)
646
Karl Fulves Cup & Ball Technique
  • The Close Out
four phases, cup penetrates table as finale
 		Sep. 1973
The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 8 No. 11)
657
Karl Fulves Speedball featuring hand-to-hand transfer of ball with cup
 		Sep. 1974
The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 9 No. 11)
791
Scotty York, Larry Jennings Center of the Mat Cup Load Jennings' loading sequence without the handkerchief
Related to 1975
Cups & Balls
12
David Berglas Cups and Balls using sleeving
 		1976
David Berglas Lecture
9
Aldo Colombini The Tilt Move tilting the cup from another cup, stealing a ball
 		1977
Colombini's Cups and Balls
12
Aldo Colombini The Flying Catch ball is dropped from cup and caught under it, hiding other balls
 		1977
Colombini's Cups and Balls
14
Aldo Colombini The Travelling Balls
1977
Colombini's Cups and Balls
15
Aldo Colombini Ball Through Table, Hand and Cups
1977
Colombini's Cups and Balls
16
Charlie Miller Miller's Penetration
1977
Colombini's Cups and Balls
18
Aldo Colombini The Balls Penetrate Two Cups
1977
Colombini's Cups and Balls
19
Aldo Colombini The Ultimate Vanish ball vanishes by hitting two cups against it
 		1977
Colombini's Cups and Balls
20
Aldo Colombini The Final Load
1977
Colombini's Cups and Balls
22
Aldo Colombini The Climax three large balls appear
 		1977
Colombini's Cups and Balls
25
Ron Hicks A Cup & Ball Move apparently placing ball into cup
 		1978
Challenging Coin Capers
40
Charlie Miller Miller's Drop Through Move
1979
The Very Best of Cups and Balls
51
Old Pop Kreiger Shower of Balls
1979
The Very Best of Cups and Balls
65
Sam Leo Horowitz Coin Through Cup
1979
The Very Best of Cups and Balls
106
Frank Garcia Additional Sequence
1979
The Very Best of Cups and Balls
117
John F. Mendoza "Big Load" Technique for chop cup, dice stacking, ...
 		1979
Close-up Presentations
23
John F. Mendoza The Cup Switch solid cup finale
 		1980
John: Verse Two
93
The Tip-Off Move
1980
The Two Goblets
14
The Put-Down Move
1980
The Two Goblets
15
Gary Ouellet The Shameful Lapping final load move
 		1980
The Two Goblets
20
Gary Ouellet The Throw-Back Technique final load move, seated
 		1980
The Two Goblets
20
Bob Fitch Productions - Steals - Loads stealing from the topit, with applications
  • XII-A. Direct Steal
    • 1) Egg on fan
    • 2) Invisible deck
    • 3) Cups & Balls
    • 4) Dye Tube
    • 5) Produce scissors
    • 6) Balloon to Dove
    • 7) Flames from Hands
    • 8) Fishbowl production
    • 9) Fountain of Silks
  • XII-B. Indirect Steal
    • 1) Rabbit and Tray
    • 2) Molding a Rabbit
 		1980
Topit Again & Again
5
Shigeo Takagi Lapping Move small ball, solid cup
 		1980
Shigeo Takagi's New One Cup Routine
2
Jim Ryan The Little Finger Steal
1981
Jim Ryan Close-Up: The Famous Cups & Balls Routine
1
Jim Ryan Slide Steal
1981
Jim Ryan Close-Up: The Famous Cups & Balls Routine
2
Jim Ryan Phase One - Production of Balls, Display of Cups
1981
Jim Ryan Close-Up: The Famous Cups & Balls Routine
4
Jim Ryan Phase Two - Two Balls Penetrate the Center Cup
1981
Jim Ryan Close-Up: The Famous Cups & Balls Routine
6
Jim Ryan Phase Three - A Ball Moves around & Penetrates Upwards
1981
Jim Ryan Close-Up: The Famous Cups & Balls Routine
7
Jim Ryan Phase Four - In the Spectator's Hand
1981
Jim Ryan Close-Up: The Famous Cups & Balls Routine
9
Jim Ryan Phase Five - Too Many Balls
1981
Jim Ryan Close-Up: The Famous Cups & Balls Routine
13
Jim Ryan Phase Six - The Great Finale
1981
Jim Ryan Close-Up: The Famous Cups & Balls Routine
15
Peter Kane One-Two-One Load for the Cups and Balls loading sequence
 		Oct. 1982
Epoptica (Issue 2)
118
George Schindler Great Loads using Rubik's cubes as final loads in cups & balls
 		1982
The Magic of the Cube
31
Tom Gagnon A Ball Penetration ball on top vanishes and appear under it
Also published here
  • "A Ball Penetration" in "The Blueprint"
 1982
Fork Full of Appetizers
56
Max Malini, Charlie Miller, Frederick Braue A Deceptive Palm for the Cups and Balls false transfer, detailed, "It should be again stressed that the sleight must be performed very slowly, very casually"
 		1985
The Fred Braue Notebooks (Issue 3)
8
Mark Vincent Take and Leave Load Move taking ball under cup while loading another ball
 		1986
Gimmick (Issue 3)
15
Dan Fleshman Two C
Sep. 1987
Apocalypse (Vol. 10 No. 9)
1396
John Ramsay The Ramsay Ball Vanish
1987
The Magic of Steve Draun
41
Steve Draun Shell Load
1987
The Magic of Steve Draun
41
Gary Kurtz Countering Expectations beginning of a cups and balls routine, balls change color
 		1988
Continuations ... Departures 2
7
Gary Kurtz Countering Expectations cups and balls sequence
Related to 1988
Continuations ... Departures 1 & 2
18
Gary Kurtz Countering Expectations beginning of a cups and balls routine, balls change color
 		1989
Continuations and Departures
16
Charlie Miller Alternative Ending sponge rabbit and carrots as final load
 		1989
Transit Cups and Balls
18
Aldo Colombini Laser Cups
Aug. 1991
Apocalypse (Vol. 14 No. 8)
1961
Alex Elmsley Sleeve Loading for the Cups and Balls
1991
The Collected Works of Alex Elmsley — Volume 1
202
Roberto Giobbi Ouvertüre für ein Becherspiel opening sequence in which balls appear
 		1993
Persönliche Notizen zum Seminar
14
Loading Fruit "Secretly introducing a larger object under a cup"
 		1993
Cups & Balls (Western)
6
Dan Tong Other Ideas A. bottomless cup
B. cup with salt or liquid
 		1994
Close-Up File
125
Fred Kaps Cup Load ball drop in cup
Related to 1995
Fred Kaps' Cups and Balls
9
Tommy Wonder, Peter Kane A Three-Cup Load loading sequence
 		1996
The Books of Wonder — Volume 2
98
The Loading Sequence
1998
Cyclops
2
Al Baker Miscellaneous Hair Tricks
  • cup moves on the table
  • animated bill
  • remote haunted deck
  • rising coin/card from glass
  • throwing a loose deck of cards to a spectator over some distance
  • balancing cane/umbrella
Also published here 2003
The Secret Ways of Al Baker (Issue Pet Secrets)
371
Ross Bertram The Cups and Balls ball under hand on table, ball on hand and cup covers it and slides it apparently down on the table
 		Mar. 2003
Genii (Vol. 66 No. 3)
59
The Hat Load Melon
 		2004
Street Cups and Balls
51
Gazzo Macee Revealing the Melon Presentational idea for revealing melon under hat
 		2004
Street Cups and Balls
51
Karl Fulves Up Cup two cups nested, wand pushed in from below, it seems to penetrate lower cup and lift upper cup
 		2004
Latter Day Secrets (Issue 9)
361
Alexander de Cova Cups & Balls Loading Technique topit tunnel used to get final load into other hand without going into pocket
Also published here 2004
Treasures
13
Alexander de Cova Load Setup non-pocket final loading idea
 		2004
Treasures
14
Alexander de Cova Another Idea for the Load lemon net appears under one cup first
 		2004
Treasures
16
Arthur Trace The Crimped Cup phase with white plastic ring over a cup to make it easier to follow, two more rings appear around the others
 		Apr. 2006
Genii (Vol. 69 No. 4)
70
Sam Leo Horowitz Three-Cup Interlude with sponge rubber cubes
 		2008
Prolix (Issue 5)
310
Alexander de Cova Cups & Balls Loading topit tunnel used to get final load into other hand without going into pocket
Also published here 2008
Out of my Sporran
11
Tom Stone Loadstorming methods for obtaining loads without body loading
  • stealing from case as one picks something up from the floor
  • mechanical arm moves from table to other side of body with load
  • lifted up with magnet on shoe behind table
Also published here 2008
Snapshots
15
Charlie Miller, Gabi Pareras Pase de Charlie Miller Charlie Miller move, ball through chop cup
 		2008 ca.
El Chop-cup
23
Gabi Pareras Torniquete y desaparición seated vanish of ball, à la Slydini one coin
 		2008 ca.
El Chop-cup
24
Roberto Giobbi Dai Vernon's Cups and Balls Routine - An Alternative Final Stage
  • The Genii Session
alternative loading sequence transcribed from The Dick Cavett Show
Related to May 2009
Genii (Vol. 72 No. 5)
40
Jon Allen Push Through Move ball penetrates cup, Charlie Miller phase alternative
Also published here 2009
Experience: The Magic of Jon Allen
170
Tom Stone Loading Strategies methods for obtaining loads without body loading
  • lifted up with magnet on shoe behind table
  • stealing from case as one picks something up from the floor
  • mechanical arm moves from table to other side of body with load
Also published here 2010
Vortex
9
Dai Vernon, Charlie Miller Cups-and-Balls Pendulum Loading
2010
Secret Agenda (Issue June 17)
180
Alexander de Cova Cups & Balls Loading topit tunnel used to get final load into other hand without going into pocket
Also published here 2010
Better Than Hartz 4
22
Alexander de Cova Geheime Taschenladung final loads handling, using topit
 		2011
Seminar-Leviten
11
Tom Stone Wonders of a Fragmented Vision
  • Lodestones
more on change blindness and related things, cups and balls sequence as example
Related toAlso published here July 2011
Genii (Vol. 74 No. 7)
44
Tom Stone Wonders of a fragmented vision more on change blindness and related things, cups and balls sequence as example
Also published here 2011
Stonebound 2011
16
Roberto Giobbi Overture for Cups and Balls cup moves, three balls appear, travel under cups
 		2012
Confidences
119
Christian Scherer Dumm gelaufen water monte with three cups, then water turns into confetti, improved method
Related toAlso published here 2014
Schlaglichter
237
Alexander de Cova Becherspiel Load topit tunnel used to get final load into other hand without going into pocket
Also published here 2015
Burners — Vol. 3
266
Tom Stone The Pocket Problem
  • Lodestones
on different type of alternative pockets and servantes, mostly for female performers
  • Out in the Wilderness
  • Suburb Satchel
  • Osmosis (shoulder bag with opening to load cups or other things)
  • A Germain Observation (servante in cloth)
  • Chasing Tail
  • Share the Wealth
 		Apr. 2016
Genii (Vol. 79 No. 4)
52
Tom Stone Cups and Balls Express! balls visually vanish from top of all three cups
 		July 2017
Genii (Vol. 80 No. 7)
50
Charlie Miller Miller Cups and Balls with black balls
  • Opening Sequence
  • Phase 1
  • Phase 2: The Miller Penetration
  • Phase 3: The Multiplication of Balls
 		2018
The Magic of Johnny Thompson (Issue 1)
293
Max Malini, Johnny Thompson Max Malini Phase
2018
The Magic of Johnny Thompson (Issue 2)
20
Edmé-Gilles Guyot, Johnny Thompson Pop Krieger Phase
2018
The Magic of Johnny Thompson (Issue 2)
25
Bartolomeo Bosco, Dai Vernon Dai Vernon Phase
2018
The Magic of Johnny Thompson (Issue 2)
28
Jamy Ian Swiss Jamy Ian Swiss Final Load Sequence
2018
The Magic of Johnny Thompson (Issue 2)
29
Dr. Jacob Daley Jacob Daley Finale
2018
The Magic of Johnny Thompson (Issue 2)
34
Max Malini Filled Glasses as Final Loads body-loaded without covers
 		2022
Max Malini
152
Max Malini Cups and Balls Opening Sequence
2022
Max Malini
154
Guy Hollingworth Cup Load from Flapped Ball
2022
Slow Motion Cups & Balls
31
Jon Allen Expertalk: Jon Allen on the Cups & Balls ball penetrates cup, Charlie Miller phase alternative
Also published here 2022
Talk About Tricks (Issue 1)
522
Christian Scherer Gone Terribly Wrong water monte with three cups, then water turns into confetti
Also published here 2024
Mosaic
354