Coin Tricks Basics

The most basic skill usually learned by beginners is palming a coin. Palming is the general term for carrying and concealing one or more coins in the hand so that the hand looks and behaves like an empty hand. There are several palming techniques, and the choice will depend on the size and type of coin to be concealed, the preceding and following manipulations, and personal preference. A good practitioner should master several palming methods, and be able to palm a coin in both hands.

The simplest technique (the classic palm) is to place a coin flat on the palm and grip it lightly between the base of the thumb muscle and the pinky finger muscle. To begin with, use a large but light coin,  Grip it only just enough to make the coin stay in place when the palm is face down. The hand appears empty and can be used freely and convincingly. Smaller or heavier coins are harder to palm, but the skill can be acquired with practice. In order to make the hand look natural, the magician uses it to pick up objects, point, snap the fingers, or to handle other coins, while ensuring that the spectator cannot see a metallic flash at any time during these movements. These misdirections signal to the audience that the hand is empty. The acting skills involved in making the hand move naturally and appear empty, are the hardest part of the palming skill.

Common Beginner Errors

Common beginners errors include holding the coin too high up in the palm (too close to the finger joints), which requires an obvious inward curl to grip the coin, giving away the secret. Beginners must practice not only the actual palm grip, but getting the coin into the palm and out again without fumbling; misdirection actions; and building the skill into a routine.

It can be useful to hold a pen, wand or small object to make the hand appear more natural.