162 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 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 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 3
Eddie Joseph 1st. Finale number is named, repeat production of a ball, handling for final loads
1936 4
Eddie Joseph 2nd. Finale two cups placed mouth on mouth, smoke from cigarette appears inside
1936 5
Eddie Joseph 3rd. Finale liquid produced from cup, gaffed cup
1936 5
Eddie Joseph 4th. Finale production of three filled glasses under cups, using Percy Abbott's "Keene" holder
1936 5
Eddie Joseph Additional Moves a. spectator holds cup on palm, ball appears under it
b. borrowed hank vanishes and appears under cup
1936 6
Laurie Ireland No-Sleight Sponge Ball Method
1938 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 73
Charlie Miller Penetration of Cup with Ball
June 1940
Chap's Scrapbook (Vol. 2 No. 12)
3
Eddie Joseph The "Jam" Vanish
1942 20
Eddie Joseph The Elevator Pass ball passes upwards through stack of cups
1942 21
Eddie Joseph Through Passage ball penetrates cup when dropped into it, multiple phases
1942 22
Eddie Joseph The Spidora three balls dropped into three cups, they all assemble in one
1942 23
Eddie Joseph Real Ice Cream Cone from Cup with dry ice in cup to keep it cold
1942 30
Eddie Joseph Chinese Lantern from Cup
1942 33
Eddie Joseph Large Stack of Coins from Cup
1942 34
Eddie Joseph The Rainbow Streamers
1942 35
Eddie Joseph The Shower of Cards cards produced from cup
1942 36
Eddie Joseph The Bird Nest live canary hidden in cup throughout routine
1942 36
Eddie Joseph Another Canary Production from gaffed cup
1942 38
Eddie Joseph The Reptile in the Cup spring snake from gaffed cup
1942 39
Eddie Joseph The Water Fountain small water fountain comes out of mouth-side-up cup
1942 40
Eddie Joseph The Fire Cracker from cup, "This will wake up the sleeping ones."
1942 41
Eddie Joseph The Three Glasses loading liquids under cups, using "Squeeze-It" props
1942 41
Eddie Joseph The Fire Fountain small firework from cup
1942 42
Eddie Joseph Firing the Cup fire from cups
Related to
  • "The Flaming Cups" (earlier Eddie Joseph book on Cups and Balls)
1942 43
Eddie Joseph Spontaneous Combustion palmed fire gimmick to produce fireworks from cup
1942 43
Eddie Joseph The Repeat Production producing nested articles
1942 44
Eddie Joseph Masterpiece Glass of Liquid Production from cup
1942 44
Eddie Joseph The "Phantom" Load fruit stuck in cup to handle cups freely
  • First Method
  • Second Method
1942 45
Eddie Joseph The Cotton Mill long cotton thread produced from cup
1942 47
Eddie Joseph The Inexhaustible Stream
1942 48
Eddie Joseph The "Blooming" Roses spring flowers from cup
1942 48
Eddie Joseph Brimful of Wine wine production from cup
1942 49
Tom Sellers Cups and Balls Notion water finale for cups and balls
1943 7
The Finger-Grip palm of a ball
Oct. 1943 17
To Load a Bill under a Cup
Oct. 1943 17
Senor Charles Mardo Mardo’s Cups and Balls Routine
1945 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 58
John Ramsay Secret Introduction of a Tomato under that Cup
1948 63
U. F. Grant Cups and Balls Finale small cups, one filled with drink
Jan. 1949 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 22
Penetration of Cup with Ball
Also published here 1953 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 26
Charlie Miller Charles Miller's "Cups and Balls Move" penetration of cup with ball
Also published here 1957 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. 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
David Berglas, Alex Elmsley The Cups and Balls billiard balls as final loads
1969 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 369
Dr. Jacob Daley Daley's Cup And Ball Extra Move No. 261, ball penetrates cup and is then split into two (perhaps)
1972 65
Cups And Balls Monte Effect No. 470, idea of using an odd-colored ball for monte effects
1972 131
Cup And Ball Move No. 517, balls from hand to under cup
Related to 1972 145
Dr. Jacob Daley Cup And Ball Final Production No. 551, flowers as final load as gifts for ladies
1972 154
Al Baker Al Baker Cup Cup Ball Move No. 624, using five balls, no details
1972 174
Karl Fulves Cup & Ball Technique
  • Cup & Ball Opener
three balls placed under three cups gather under one cup, no extra ball
July 1973 641
Karl Fulves Cup & Ball Technique
  • Three To Go
Aug. 1973 646
Karl Fulves Cup & Ball Technique
  • The Close Out
four phases, cup penetrates table as finale
Sep. 1973 657
Karl Fulves Speedball featuring hand-to-hand transfer of ball with cup
Sep. 1974 791
Scotty York, Larry Jennings Center of the Mat Cup Load Jennings' loading sequence without the handkerchief
Related to 1975 12
David Berglas Cups and Balls using sleeving
1976 9
Aldo Colombini The Tilt Move tilting the cup from another cup, stealing a ball
1977 12
Aldo Colombini The Flying Catch ball is dropped from cup and caught under it, hiding other balls
1977 14
Aldo Colombini The Travelling Balls
1977 15
Aldo Colombini Ball Through Table, Hand and Cups
1977 16
Charlie Miller Miller's Penetration
1977 18
Aldo Colombini The Balls Penetrate Two Cups
1977 19
Aldo Colombini The Ultimate Vanish ball vanishes by hitting two cups against it
1977 20
Aldo Colombini The Final Load
1977 22
Aldo Colombini The Climax three large balls appear
1977 25
Charlie Miller Miller's Drop Through Move
1979 51
Old Pop Kreiger Shower of Balls
1979 65
Sam Leo Horowitz Coin Through Cup
1979 106
Frank Garcia Additional Sequence
1979 117
John F. Mendoza "Big Load" Technique for chop cup, dice stacking, ...
1979 23
John F. Mendoza The Cup Switch solid cup finale
1980 93
The Tip-Off Move
1980 14
The Put-Down Move
1980 15
Gary Ouellet The Shameful Lapping final load move
1980 20
Gary Ouellet The Throw-Back Technique final load move, seated
1980 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 5
Shigeo Takagi Lapping Move small ball, solid cup
1980 2
Jim Ryan The Little Finger Steal
1981 1
Jim Ryan Slide Steal
1981 2
Jim Ryan Phase One - Production of Balls, Display of Cups
1981 4
Jim Ryan Phase Two - Two Balls Penetrate the Center Cup
1981 6
Jim Ryan Phase Three - A Ball Moves around & Penetrates Upwards
1981 7
Jim Ryan Phase Four - In the Spectator's Hand
1981 9
Jim Ryan Phase Five - Too Many Balls
1981 13
Jim Ryan Phase Six - The Great Finale
1981 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 31
Tom Gagnon A Ball Penetration ball on top vanishes and appear under it
Also published here
  • "A Ball Penetration" in "The Blueprint"
1982 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 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 41
Steve Draun Shell Load
1987 41
Gary Kurtz Countering Expectations beginning of a cups and balls routine, balls change color
1988 7
Gary Kurtz Countering Expectations cups and balls sequence
Related to 1988 18
Gary Kurtz Countering Expectations beginning of a cups and balls routine, balls change color
1989 16
Charlie Miller Alternative Ending sponge rabbit and carrots as final load
1989 18
Aldo Colombini Laser Cups
Aug. 1991
Apocalypse (Vol. 14 No. 8)
1961
Alex Elmsley Sleeve Loading for the Cups and Balls
1991 202
Roberto Giobbi Ouvertüre für ein Becherspiel opening sequence in which balls appear
1993 14
Loading Fruit "Secretly introducing a larger object under a cup"
1993 6
Dan Tong Other Ideas A. bottomless cup
B. cup with salt or liquid
1994 125
Fred Kaps Cup Load ball drop in cup
Related to 1995 9
Tommy Wonder, Peter Kane A Three-Cup Load loading sequence
1996 98
The Loading Sequence
1998 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 51
Gazzo Macee Revealing the Melon Presentational idea for revealing melon under hat
2004 51
Karl Fulves Up Cup two cups nested, wand pushed in from below, it seems to penetrate lower cup and lift upper cup
2004 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 13
Alexander de Cova Load Setup non-pocket final loading idea
2004 14
Alexander de Cova Another Idea for the Load lemon net appears under one cup first
2004 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 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 15
Charlie Miller, Gabi Pareras Pase de Charlie Miller Charlie Miller move, ball through chop cup
2008 ca. 23
Gabi Pareras Torniquete y desaparición seated vanish of ball, à la Slydini one coin
2008 ca. 24
Roberto Giobbi Dai Vernon's Cups and Balls Routine - An Alternative Final Stage
  • The Genii Session
Related to May 2009
Genii (Vol. 72 No. 5)
40
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 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 22
Alexander de Cova Geheime Taschenladung final loads handling, using topit
2011 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 16
Roberto Giobbi Overture for Cups and Balls cup moves, three balls appear, travel under cups
2012 119
Christian Scherer Dumm gelaufen water monte with three cups, then water turns into confetti, improved method
Related to 2014 237
Alexander de Cova Becherspiel Load topit tunnel used to get final load into other hand without going into pocket
Also published here 2015 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 293
Max Malini, Johnny Thompson Max Malini Phase
2018 20
Edmé-Gilles Guyot, Johnny Thompson Pop Krieger Phase
2018 25
Bartolomeo Bosco, Dai Vernon Dai Vernon Phase
2018 28
Jamy Ian Swiss Jamy Ian Swiss Final Load Sequence
2018 29
Dr. Jacob Daley Jacob Daley Finale
2018 34
Max Malini Filled Glasses as Final Loads body-loaded without covers
2022 152
Max Malini Cups and Balls Opening Sequence
2022 154
Guy Hollingworth Cup Load from Flapped Ball
2022 31
Jon Allen Expertalk: Jon Allen on the Cups & Balls ball penetrates cup, Charlie Miller phase alternative
Also published here
  • MAGIC, July 2006
2022 522