Hang Ping Chen by Dai Vernon

Created by: Dai Vernon

Hang Ping Chen is a close-up magic trick involving coins, specifically the 'coins through table' effect. The magician makes several coins visually penetrate a solid table, one after another, in a seemingly impossible manner. This trick is known for its deceptive nature and the obscurity of the 'Hang Ping Chen' move, making it a strong fooler for both lay audiences and magicians alike. It's a classic routine that combines sleight of hand with clever misdirection, suitable for performers looking to add a powerful coin routine to their repertoire.

Key features

Involves the 'Hang Ping Chen' move, known for its deceptive nature
Suitable for close-up performances
Combines sleight of hand with clever misdirection
Strong fooler for both lay audiences and magicians
Classic routine with a long history in magic

Pros

Highly deceptive and visually impressive
Uses a unique and obscure move that's hard for audiences to reconstruct
Versatile for various performance settings
Strong impact with minimal props required

Cons

Requires practice to master the 'Hang Ping Chen' move
May not be suitable for very large audiences due to its close-up nature

Effect

The Hang Ping Chen Coins Through Table is a deceptive coin routine where multiple coins visibly penetrate a solid table. The magician places several coins on the table, covers them briefly, and then one by one, the coins vanish and reappear beneath the table. The final phase often involves a Chinese coin, adding an extra layer of impossibility. The effect is clean, visual, and leaves audiences baffled.

Full Details

This routine is based on Dai Vernon’s handling of the Hang Ping Chen move, a rarely used sleight that makes the coins' penetration seem impossible. The method is obscure, making it difficult for spectators to reconstruct how the trick works. The routine typically involves six coins and a Chinese coin, with the coins appearing to melt through the table one at a time.

Ali Cook, a seasoned magician, describes this as a "killer" trick due to its deceptive nature. He notes that the Hang Ping Chen move is so rarely seen that even experienced magicians may not recognize it, making it highly effective for fooling both lay audiences and fellow performers.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for:

Coin magic enthusiasts who want a strong, visual routine.
Close-up performers looking for a worker that resets quickly.
Magicians who enjoy classic methods with a deceptive twist.

It may not be suitable for beginners unfamiliar with advanced coin sleights, as the Hang Ping Chen move requires practice to execute smoothly.

Difficulty

The Hang Ping Chen Coins Through Table is an intermediate to advanced routine. The sleights involved are not overly complex, but they require precision and proper timing to maintain the illusion. Ali Cook recommends studying Dai Vernon’s The Further Inner Lost Secrets for a detailed breakdown of the method.

What Magicians Say

Ali Cook praises the trick, calling it "a very strong trick" and "a fooler" due to the obscurity of the Hang Ping Chen move. He notes that it’s surprisingly unpopular among modern magicians, making it a fresh addition to a performer’s repertoire.

For those interested in learning the routine, Cook suggests starting with The Dai Vernon Book of Magic, which includes a thorough explanation of the method. He emphasizes the importance of mastering the basic move before attempting the full routine, as the deceptive power lies in the smooth execution of the sleight.

Overall, the Hang Ping Chen Coins Through Table is a highly deceptive and visually stunning routine that rewards dedicated practice with strong audience reactions.

What people are saying about Hang Ping Chen

Ali Cook says...

D Vernon's version of the Hang Ping Chen coins through table is a killer trick. The move is so obscure that I don't think a lay audience can really understand the concept of Hang Ping Chen, it's just an incredible idea.