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Finger Palm by David Roth

Created by: David Roth

The Finger Palm is a fundamental sleight in coin magic where a coin is secretly held in the fingers, allowing the magician to conceal it while performing other actions. This technique is essential for routines like David Roth's Coin Through Glass, where misdirection and shell handling play crucial roles. The effect involves the coin seemingly vanishing and reappearing in impossible locations, creating a visually striking illusion. Ideal for close-up magic, this trick requires practice to master the finger palm and shell handling, making it a valuable skill for any coin magician.

Key features

  • Requires expanded shells for certain routines

  • Fundamental skill for coin magic

  • Relies on misdirection and proper shell handling

  • Quick performance with high visual impact

Pros

  • Visually deceptive

  • Quick to perform once mastered

  • Enhances overall coin magic skills

  • Highly praised by experts like David Roth

Cons

  • Requires practice to perfect the finger palm

  • Shell handling can be tricky for beginners

Effect

The Finger Palm is a fundamental sleight in coin magic that allows a magician to secretly hold a coin in their hand while keeping their fingers seemingly empty. To the audience, the hand appears completely natural and relaxed, with no visible signs of concealment. When executed properly, the coin remains hidden until the magician chooses to reveal it, creating the illusion of production, disappearance, or transposition.

Full Details

The Finger Palm involves holding a coin between the base of the fingers and the palm, using slight pressure to keep it in place. The fingers remain slightly curled, maintaining a natural appearance while concealing the coin. This technique is essential for many coin routines, including vanishes, switches, and productions.

Key aspects of the Finger Palm include:

  • Natural hand positioning – The fingers should not appear stiff or tense.
  • Controlled pressure – The coin must stay secure without excessive gripping.
  • Misdirection – The magician must direct attention away from the palmed hand to maintain deception.

As demonstrated in the tutorial by Beau Creer, the Finger Palm is often used in conjunction with other sleights, such as transferring a coin from a Finger Palm to a Classic Palm for more advanced routines.

Who Should Consider the Trick

The Finger Palm is a foundational skill for:

  • Beginners learning coin magic basics.
  • Intermediate performers refining their sleight-of-hand techniques.
  • Advanced magicians incorporating it into complex routines.

Since it is a core technique, magicians at any level should practice and master the Finger Palm to improve their coin magic repertoire.

Difficulty

The Finger Palm is considered moderate in difficulty for beginners but becomes easier with practice. Key challenges include:

  • Maintaining a relaxed hand appearance.
  • Preventing the coin from slipping or making noise.
  • Smoothly transitioning between palms in routines.

Beau Creer notes that palming while holding another object (like a shell) can be tricky but is achievable with consistent practice.

What Magicians Say

Beau Creer emphasizes the importance of the Finger Palm in coin magic, stating:
"It can be done with practice and it's a skill worth acquiring."

He also highlights its role in advanced routines, such as David Roth’s Coin Through Glass, where the Finger Palm is used to conceal and transfer coins seamlessly.

The Finger Palm is praised for its versatility and deceptive potential, making it a must-learn technique for serious coin magicians.

What people are saying about Finger Palm

Beau Creer says...

The finger palm is a skill worth acquiring, especially when holding something at the fingertips—it can be done with practice and is crucial for routines like David Roth's Coin Through Glass.

Tutorial videos