Bobo's Coin Switch by J.B. Bobo

Effect

Bobo's Coin Switch is a deceptive sleight used in coin magic to secretly exchange one coin for another while maintaining a natural appearance. To the audience, it looks like a simple handling of a coin, with no visible move or suspicious action. The switch happens in the blink of an eye, making it ideal for routines where a coin needs to change without detection.

Full Details

The Bobo's Coin Switch is named after J.B. Bobo, who popularized it in his classic book Modern Coin Magic. It involves holding a coin in a way that allows a hidden exchange while the magician’s hands appear to be doing nothing unusual. The switch is often used in routines where a coin visually transforms, vanishes, or is secretly replaced with a gimmicked coin.

John Carey, in his Triple Spellbound Coins to Purse routine, uses the Bobo's Coin Switch to replace a double-faced coin with a Chinese coin. The move is executed smoothly under the cover of natural hand motions, making it nearly invisible to spectators.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This sleight is best suited for intermediate to advanced magicians who are comfortable with coin handling. It is particularly useful for performers who specialize in close-up or stand-up coin magic. If you perform routines involving multiple coin changes, vanishes, or transformations, mastering the Bobo's Coin Switch will significantly enhance your deception.

Difficulty

The Bobo's Coin Switch requires practice to perform convincingly. While the mechanics are straightforward, the challenge lies in making the switch look natural. John Carey emphasizes the importance of misdirection and timing, stating, "You don't want a big broad action of the hands—just hold on, let that go across, and then make the moment."

Magicians should also be mindful of angles, as the move can be exposed if performed carelessly. However, with proper technique and audience management, the switch becomes nearly undetectable.

What Magicians Say

John Carey highlights the effectiveness of the Bobo's Coin Switch in his routine, noting that it allows for a clean and deceptive exchange. He advises magicians to keep their motions subtle, saying, "Just hold on, let that go across, and then make the moment."

The switch is praised for its versatility, working well in combination with other techniques like the Ramsey Subtlety and Skinner’s Spider Grip Vanish. Carey also stresses the importance of misdirection, stating, "If you want somebody to look at something, you look at it. If you want somebody to look at you, look at them."

For magicians looking to refine their coin work, the Bobo's Coin Switch is a valuable addition to their repertoire, offering a reliable method for secret exchanges in a variety of routines.