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The Put by Jay Sankey

Created by: Jay Sankey

The Put is a coin vanish trick that involves the magician actively placing a coin into the other hand, creating a clear and controlled display. This method is particularly effective for larger audiences due to its clarity, though it may appear less organic compared to other vanishes. The trick is part of close-up magic and is ideal for magicians looking to refine their vanish techniques with psychological framing in mind.

Key features

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

  • Emphasizes the importance of psychological framing for the effectiveness of a vanish.

  • Includes performance tips on context, misdirection beats, and authenticity.

  • Promotes the use of the Clearly Impossible gimmick for additional magic effects.

Pros

  • Clear and practical for larger audiences.

  • Includes deep psychological insights into why certain methods feel deceptive.

  • Offers variations like the upside-down vanish for added misdirection.

  • Versatile utility device (Clearly Impossible) promoted for additional magic applications.

Cons

  • The put method may appear less organic compared to other vanishes.

  • The take method (French Drop) is critiqued for its artificiality.

Effect

The Put is a coin vanish where the magician visibly places a coin into one hand, only for it to disappear moments later. The audience sees the coin being transferred, making its sudden absence more surprising. The vanish appears clean and controlled, with no obvious sleight of hand.

Full details

The Put is one of three primary methods for vanishing a coin, alongside the Take (French Drop) and the Drop. Unlike the Take, where the magician pretends to remove the coin, the Put involves actively placing the coin into the other hand before secretly retaining it. Jay Sankey describes this method as "shouting control," making it ideal for performances where clarity is key, such as stage magic.

A refined version, the upside-down vanish, adds a visual misdirection beat by flipping the hand before the vanish. This extra motion helps conceal the retention. The Put is praised for its directness but may feel less organic compared to the Drop, which relies on a more relaxed, natural motion.

Who should consider the trick

The Put is best suited for magicians who perform for larger audiences or prefer structured, deliberate vanishes. It works well in routines where clear visual actions are necessary. Close-up performers may prefer the Drop for its casual feel, but the Put remains a strong choice for those who value precision.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The Put requires moderate skill. The vanish itself is not overly complex, but timing and misdirection are crucial. The upside-down variation adds an extra layer of difficulty, as the flip must look natural while masking the retention. Beginners may need practice to make the vanish seamless, but intermediate magicians should find it manageable.

What magicians say

Jay Sankey notes that the Put "shouts control," making it effective for larger audiences. He prefers the upside-down vanish variation for its added misdirection. While he acknowledges that the Put can feel less organic than the Drop, he highlights its practicality in structured performances.

Other magicians may critique the Put for being too mechanical compared to the Drop, which feels more natural. However, its clarity and directness make it a reliable choice for many performers. Sankey's insights emphasize that psychological framing—how the vanish is presented—plays a big role in its effectiveness.

What people are saying about The Put

SankeyMagic says...

The Put method 'shouts control', making it clear and practical for larger audiences but potentially less organic. [...] His favorite variation involves an upside-down vanish, which adds an extra visual beat to misdirect.

Tutorial videos