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B
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In the typical layout , the magician places four small objects on a table in a square , rectangular or diamond formation ( although even a single straight-line formation is possible ). The objects are usually equidistant from each other . The magician then covers any two of the objects with their hands , performs a flourish , and then lifts their hands to reveal that one of the objects has somehow jumped from its original location to join one of the other three objects . The same effect is repeated until all the objects are gathered in a single location . Objects most used for the trick are wine corks , dice , bottle caps , brass weights , and coins .
1
Sean McWeeney , the author of the first dedicated e-book on chink-a-chink , demonstrated that the trick is much older than was previously thought , with a history stretching back to at least early / mid-19th-century Germany . The trick was famously covered in Edwin Sach ' s seminal book Sleight of Hand in 1877 , utilizing four sugar cubes . Yank Hoe is reputed to have performed it as early as 1891 and introduced the name " Sympathetic Coins ".
YOU WILL NEED : Five lime slices which are 2 " diameter .
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B
The Palm Because of the nature of the lime slices I have this in what you might call a Tenkai Palm . As you can see in drawing 1 it isn ' t a regular palm but held in place more with the spongey part of the thumb . An important note is to keep both hands looking the same . You don ' t want one ' flatter ' than the other .
Set Up : With the lime in place , you arrange the four slices in a square formation . For the sake of the tutorial , I ' ll call them A , B , C and D . See drawing 2 .
STEP ONE : I now use both hands to cover the lime slices before anything happens . This just builds up suspense without saying anything . The RH ( right hand ) will cover slice B at the same time the LH ( left hand ) covers slice C . Quickly move RH to cover slice D and the LH covers slice A . RH then covers slice C and LH covers slice B . This sequence just sets up what is about to happen and the first time one moves it will come as a complete surprise .
C
2
D
STEP TWO : RH covers slice B while the LH covers slice C . As the LH covers the slice it now palms that slice , and you move the LH away as you reveal that B now has two slices under it . The effect here is that slice C travelled to join slice B . Drawing 3 show the RH revealing the travelling slice while the LH is being lifted away hiding the other piece .
3
STEP THREE : The LH ( with slice hidden ) now moves to cover the slices at B while the RH moves down to cover slice D . The RH palms slice D while the LH lifts to reveal three slices . See drawing 4 . All these moves are performed quickly so they happen instantly and visually they look like they are magically jumping from one place to another .
STEP FOUR : The final setup - The RH covers the slices at B while the LH covers the slice at C . As the RH lifts to reveal all four slices now at position B the LH palms the slice at A . See drawing 5 .
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