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The Drop by Jay Sankey

Created by: Jay Sankey

The Drop is a close-up magic trick focusing on the art of vanishing a coin in the most organic and authentic way possible. It teaches three distinct methods: the put, the take, and the drop, each with its own psychological framing to enhance the illusion. The trick is ideal for magicians looking to refine their vanish techniques with a focus on natural movement and audience perception.

Key features

  • Teaches three methods of vanishing a coin: the put, the take, and the drop

  • Emphasizes psychological framing for effectiveness

  • Includes performance tips for context, misdirection, and authenticity

  • Promotes the use of 'Clearly Impossible' as a versatile utility device

Pros

  • Offers deep psychological insights into vanishes

  • Provides a variety of methods suitable for different performance settings

  • Highlights the importance of authenticity and natural movement

  • Includes practical performance tips and misdirection techniques

Cons

  • The take method (French Drop) may feel artificial to some performers

  • Requires practice to master the subtleties of each vanish

Effect

The Drop is a coin vanish that looks natural and effortless to the audience. The magician casually drops a coin into their other hand, but the coin disappears instead of landing. The vanish appears organic, as if the coin simply vanishes on its own without any suspicious movements.

Full details

The Drop is one of three primary methods for vanishing a coin, alongside the Put and the Take (French Drop). Unlike the Put, which emphasizes control, or the Take, which relies on a false transfer, the Drop uses a relaxed motion to make the vanish feel more natural. Jay Sankey highlights that this method avoids "precision fingertips," making it appear more authentic. Influenced by magicians like Slydini and Goshman, the Drop prioritizes smoothness over rigid technique.

Who should consider the trick

This vanish is ideal for magicians who want a more casual, organic approach to coin magic. It works well in close-up settings where natural movements enhance deception. Performers who prefer psychological misdirection over mechanical precision will benefit from learning the Drop.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The Drop is moderately easy to learn but requires practice to perfect the timing and naturalness of the motion. Unlike the French Drop, which relies on a specific grip, the Drop depends on relaxed handling, making it less technically demanding but more reliant on performance skill.

What magicians say

Jay Sankey praises the Drop for its organic feel, stating that it avoids the artificiality of other vanishes. He notes that the method feels more authentic because it doesn’t rely on unnatural hand positions. Sankey also emphasizes that context matters—while the Put may work better for stage magic, the Drop excels in close-up situations where subtlety is key.

Other magicians influenced by Slydini and Goshman appreciate the Drop for its deceptive simplicity. The vanish benefits from psychological framing, meaning the magician’s body language and presentation enhance its effectiveness. Sankey’s tutorial focuses on why the Drop works rather than just how to do it, making it valuable for performers who want to refine their deception techniques.

What people are saying about The Drop

SankeyMagic says...

The drop method is highlighted for its organic feel and authenticity. [...] Jay encourages magicians to consider how their body language affects the audience’s subconscious trust.

Tutorial videos