Upside Down Retention Vanish by Jay Sankey

Effect

The Upside Down Retention Vanish is a visually deceptive coin vanish where the magician appears to place a coin into their hand, only for it to disappear moments later. The key to this trick is the illusion of the coin being retained in the hand for a brief moment, even though it has already vanished. The magician turns their hand palm down, seemingly placing the coin into it, but the coin is secretly retained elsewhere. The motion and timing create a convincing illusion that the coin is still in the hand before it vanishes.

Full details

The Upside Down Retention Vanish is a variation of the classic retention vanish, but with a unique twist. Instead of placing the coin into a palm-up hand, the magician turns their hand palm down and uses a swinging motion to simulate placing the coin into the hand. This technique leverages the concept of "retention of vision," where the audience's eye is tricked into believing the coin is still in the hand for a split second after it has actually been retained elsewhere. The magician pulls the coin back behind the fingers as the hand turns over, creating a seamless and deceptive vanish. The extra beat provided by the hand turning over enhances the illusion, making it more convincing.

Who should consider the trick

This trick is ideal for magicians who are comfortable with basic coin sleight of hand and are looking to expand their repertoire with a visually deceptive vanish. It’s particularly suited for performers who enjoy working with timing and misdirection, as the success of the trick relies heavily on these elements. The Upside Down Retention Vanish is versatile and can be used in close-up magic, walk-around performances, or even as part of a larger coin routine.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The Upside Down Retention Vanish is considered an intermediate-level trick. While the mechanics are not overly complex, mastering the timing and smoothness of the motion requires practice. The magician must coordinate the swinging motion of the hand with the retention of the coin, ensuring that the action looks natural and fluid. Beginners may find the timing challenging at first, but with consistent practice, the trick becomes more intuitive. Jay Sankey emphasizes the importance of practicing slowly at first to build muscle memory and gradually increasing the speed as the technique becomes more comfortable.

What magicians say

Jay Sankey, the creator of the Upside Down Retention Vanish, highlights the advantages of this method, stating, "This version gives me an extra beat to sell the illusion. The turning over of the hand really nails the illusion that the coin is truly in the hand." He also notes that the swinging motion and the timing of the hand turning over make the vanish more deceptive. Sankey’s detailed breakdown of the technique emphasizes the importance of practice and smooth hand coordination to achieve the desired effect. Other magicians who have tried the trick appreciate its visual impact and the added layer of deception provided by the upside-down motion.