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Word of a Ring by Banin

Created by: Banin

Word of a Ring is a classic mentalism trick that allows the performer to turn any book into a book test using a specially designed coin. The coin, which is compact and made of brass with raised inscriptions and black shadowing, is used to force a specific word or number from the book. The trick requires some initial setup, including choosing a book with a font and paper style that matches the coin's design and preparing the force word. The performer swirls the coin on a page, and when the spectator says 'stop,' the word revealed is the one that was forced. This trick is suitable for close-up or parlour magic and is praised for its portability and versatility.

Key features

  • Compact and portable, consisting only of a brass coin.

  • Can be used with any book, turning it into a book test.

  • Requires initial setup and preparation of the force word.

  • The coin does most of the work, making the trick relatively easy to perform.

  • Suitable for forcing words, letters, or numbers.

Pros

  • Portable and versatile.

  • Can be used in conjunction with other book tests to expand functionality.

  • The coin has a mystical aesthetic that can be incorporated into a story.

Cons

  • The square hole in the coin makes it difficult to read longer words, especially in English.

  • Requires careful selection of books to match the coin's design.

  • Initial setup and resetting the gimmick can be time-consuming.

Effect

The trick "Word of a Ring" allows a magician to force a specific word, number, or letter from any book. A spectator freely chooses a page, and the magician uses a small, gimmicked coin to reveal a predetermined word as if it were randomly selected. The effect appears as though the magician has influenced or predicted the spectator's choice.

Full Details

The device is a weighted brass coin with a small square hole. The coin has engraved details and a mystical aesthetic, making it visually appealing. The magician prepares by selecting a word from a book and setting up the gimmick. During performance, the coin is swirled over the page, and when the spectator says "stop," the chosen word appears in the coin's window.

The original version by Banin used a ring instead of a coin, allowing for better visibility of longer words. The coin in this version works best with short words or numbers due to the small window size. The magician must ensure the book's font and paper type match the prepared word for a seamless effect.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick suits mentalism performers who want a portable, examinable book test. It works well for those who enjoy impromptu-style mentalism or want to enhance an existing book test routine. Performers who prefer minimal props will appreciate the coin's compact size.

Difficulty Level

The coin does most of the work, making the trick relatively easy to perform. The main effort involves setup and resetting the gimmick. The magician must prepare the force word in advance, which may require tearing a page from a duplicate book. The handling is straightforward, requiring only basic coordination to swirl the coin and stop at the correct word.

What Magicians Say

Magicorthodoxy notes that the coin's small window limits visibility for longer English words, recommending short words or numbers instead. They praise the device's portability and versatility, stating, "The coin does 100% of the work for you." They also suggest using it alongside other book tests to expand performance options.

The reviewer highlights that the trick is based on a classic mentalism principle, comparing it to Banin's "Word of a Ring" and Valentine's "Book Project." They appreciate the modernized design but mention that the original ring version allowed for better word visibility.

Overall, the trick is recommended for its simplicity and effectiveness, though performers should be mindful of word length limitations.

What people are saying about Word of a Ring

magicorthodoxy says...

The coin does most of the work, making it relatively easy to perform. [...] The primary effort lies in the initial setup and resetting the gimmick.

Review videos