Sleightful logoSleightful

French Drop

The French Drop is a classic close-up magic trick involving the visual vanish of a small object, typically a coin or dice, from the performer's hands. The trick is performed by pretending to drop the object from one hand to another while secretly retaining it in the original hand. This creates the illusion that the object has disappeared. The French Drop is versatile and can be adapted to various objects and presentations, making it a staple in many magicians' repertoires. It's particularly noted for its simplicity and effectiveness, requiring minimal props and setup.

Key features

  • Classic close-up magic trick

  • Versatile and can be adapted to various objects

  • Requires minimal props and setup

  • Great for beginners and experienced magicians alike

  • Emphasizes misdirection and presentation

Pros

  • Simple to learn but highly effective

  • Can be performed with everyday objects

  • Strong visual impact

  • Builds foundational skills in misdirection and sleight of hand

Cons

  • Requires practice to perform smoothly

  • Angles can be tricky for beginners

  • May not be as impactful without proper presentation

Effect

The French Drop is a classic coin vanish where the magician appears to drop a coin from one hand into the other, but the coin secretly remains in the original hand. To the audience, it looks like the coin has vanished into thin air. The effect is clean, visual, and can be performed with minimal setup.

Full Details

The French Drop is a foundational sleight in coin magic. It involves a deceptive transfer where the magician pretends to drop a coin from one hand into the other while secretly retaining it in the original hand. The key to the move is timing, misdirection, and natural hand motion.

The trick can be adapted for different objects, such as dice or small balls, making it versatile. Some variations include:

  • Using the vanish as part of a larger routine (e.g., making the coin reappear elsewhere).
  • Combining it with other vanishes, like the Retention Vanish, for a more deceptive sequence.
  • Adding a narrative, such as making an object "melt" through a surface, to enhance the illusion.

Who Should Consider the Trick

The French Drop is ideal for:

  • Beginners – It’s one of the first sleights many magicians learn.
  • Close-up performers – Works well in impromptu settings with borrowed objects.
  • Those looking for a quick, visual vanish – No gimmicks or extra props are needed.
  • Magicians who value classic techniques – It’s a staple in coin magic and a building block for more advanced moves.

Difficulty

The French Drop is considered easy to learn but challenging to master. The basic mechanics can be picked up quickly, but making it look natural requires practice. Common challenges include:

  • Making the fake transfer convincing (avoiding stiffness or telegraphing the move).
  • Timing the misdirection (e.g., using eye contact or a snap to cover the sleight).
  • Keeping the hand relaxed to prevent suspicion.

As reviewer Alex McAleer notes, even simple effects like this can be elevated with strong presentation and storytelling.

What Magicians Say

  • AlakazamMagicUK highlights how a well-presented French Drop can create lasting memories, recalling a childhood performance where his father used it to make dice "melt" through a mug.
  • John Carey (via MurphysMagicSupplies) incorporates the French Drop into his coin routines, emphasizing its deceptive potential when combined with other techniques.
  • Steve Faulkner (RealMagicReview) includes it in his Coin Magic Course, calling it a "smooth vanish" that’s essential for beginners.
  • Oscar suggests that even simple vanishes like the French Drop can be powerful when performed confidently, making them great for casual performances.

The French Drop remains a fundamental move in magic, valued for its simplicity and versatility. Whether used alone or as part of a larger routine, it’s a skill worth mastering for any magician.

What people are saying about French Drop

AlakazamMagicUK says...

The trick itself is a clever variation of a classic French Drop, a staple in magic for decades. The creator's father presented it in a particularly engaging way, framing it as a 'portal' that makes the dice seemingly melt through the mug.

magicorthodoxy says...

He also mentions the possibility of using a French drop or other vanish methods.

MurphysMagicSupplies says...

French Drop: A classic vanish technique is demonstrated, though Carey uses it in a deceptive manner.

oscar says...

The vanish could be a variation of classic techniques like the French Drop or a retention vanish, adapted for a pen's unique handling.

RealMagicReview says...

The video briefly demonstrates the French Drop vanish, a smooth vanish that makes a coin disappear effortlessly.

sebastiantoca9208 says...

Practical tricks that can be performed anywhere with minimal setup.

Performance videos

Review videos

Promotional videos

Tutorial videos

Other videos