Ramsey Subtlety by John Ramsey

Effect

The Ramsey Subtlety is a deceptive technique used in coin magic to conceal a coin while drawing attention elsewhere. It creates the illusion that a coin is being displayed naturally when, in reality, it is being hidden in plain sight. The effect relies on smooth hand movements and misdirection, making it appear as though the magician is simply gesturing or showing the coin, when they are actually concealing it.

Full Details

The Ramsey Subtlety is named after John Ramsey, a Scottish magician known for his contributions to close-up magic in the mid-20th century. The technique involves holding a coin in finger palm while using natural hand gestures to mask its presence. When executed correctly, the audience perceives the hand as empty or casually displaying the coin, even though it is being concealed.

John Carey, in his "Triple Spellbound Coins to Purse" routine, uses the Ramsey Subtlety to transition between different phases of the trick. By closing his hand around a coin while gesturing, he hides it from view, making the subsequent changes appear more magical. The technique is particularly effective when combined with misdirection, such as eye contact or verbal cues.

Who Should Consider the Trick

The Ramsey Subtlety is ideal for magicians who perform close-up coin magic and want to enhance their sleight-of-hand repertoire. It is especially useful for routines that involve multiple changes or vanishes, as it allows for smooth transitions between phases. Magicians who appreciate subtle, psychological deception over flashy moves will find this technique valuable.

Difficulty

The Ramsey Subtlety is not overly difficult to learn, but it requires practice to perform convincingly. The key challenge is making the hand movements appear natural while maintaining concealment. Magicians must also coordinate the technique with misdirection, such as looking at the audience or using verbal distractions.

John Carey emphasizes the importance of timing and audience engagement when using the Ramsey Subtlety. He notes that the technique becomes more deceptive when combined with strong presentation and eye contact.

What Magicians Say

John Carey highlights the Ramsey Subtlety as a foundational move in his routine, stating:

"The Ramsey Subtlety, pioneered by John Ramsey from Scotland, is a wonderful display technique. Anytime you have a coin, a ball, or a dice in your hand, it makes a nice display while keeping the object hidden."

He also stresses the importance of misdirection when using the technique:

"John Ramsey had two basic rules of misdirection: if you want somebody to look at something, you look at it; if you want somebody to look at you, you look at them. It sounds simplistic, but it works."

The Ramsey Subtlety is praised for its versatility and effectiveness in creating deceptive moments in coin magic. When mastered, it allows magicians to perform seemingly impossible changes and vanishes with minimal effort.