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Cups and Balls Notation

The maestro's Symbolic Method was also the starting point to explore symbolic notation for the Cups and Balls theme. The interactive element below introduces some of the most prominent elements. Further research and investigation will need to ultimatley prove the concept's applicability.

The most important Symbolic Rules

The notation for the Cups and Balls theme addresses the objects, the spaces where they are set into action, and focus and flow. Routines are described as a sequence of position checks each one rendered by a composed symbolic view.

Please hold your device in landscape orientation for best viewing experience.

A ball is represented by a circle.

A palmed or otherwise hidden ball is represented by a dashed line around the ball symbol.

The dashed line indicates that only the magician is aware of this ball.

A ball only believed or assumed by the audience is represented by a dotted line around the ball symbol.

The dotted line indicates that the audience believes this ball exists when in reality is does not.

Cups are represented as seen in the image.

A Chop Cup is represented as seen in the image.

The horizontal line distinguishes it from an ordinary cup.

Fruits are represented as seen in the image.

The wand is represented as seen in the image.

Read the image as follows.

Three cups are stacked and stand on the table. The wand rests on the table well to the right of the stacked cups. Four small balls are in the jacket pocket on the left side. Three items for the final load (fruit, vegetable or large balls) are in the hip pocket on the left side, or, when standing are in the left throuser pocket if preferred. (From Lewis Ganson, The Dai Vernon Cups and Balls, The Supreme Magic Company, 1960)

The Spaces concept allows to align the detailed, complex information provided by the verbose description with its spacial context, resolving it into individual elements each one of which is intuitive and simple. The Space-set chosen is the 'table left, centre, middle - left jacket pocket, hand - right hand, jacket pocket - left hip pocket, right hip pocket' set.

Read the image as follows.

Spaces can be set for each view according to the information to be delivered. For a Cups and Balls routine the most typcial Space-set is the 'left hand, right hand - table left, centre, middle' set

A blue border indicates the Spaces that will be in the focus of the next action.

The symbol indicates that the next action will involve the right hand with its palmed ball, the (still empty) left hand, and the cup on the left. This is the same symbol showed in the previous view, but the blue borders help the reader bridge into the next action.

A bar on the view's right border indicates a brief, temporary break or pause

A Cups and Balls routine has a lot of effects, and each effect deserves a momentary pause in the flow. The break indicator serves to signal such a moment. A break is somewhat shorter than the pause between a routine's sections or stages. Break indicators are used for the brief pauses when effects within a stage occurs.

Read the image as follows: a ball, actually palmed in the left hand, is just shown vanished in the right hand. The left end cup is secretely loaded with a ball, two balls are sitting on the centre and right end cups. The upcoming action will focus on the centre cup and the left hand. Pause for a moment to let the effect sink in.

Icons were created by the Symbolic Cups and Balls app, available on the App Store.

Symbolic Waypoints in 'The Dai Vernon's Cups and Balls'

The interactive element below relates to the 1979 edition of 'The Dai Vernon Cups and Balls' by Lewis Ganson, published by The Supreme Magic Company. Seen are the position checks at the beginning of each section in the description of Vernon's classic routine. Each view indicates the section's title, the initial words, and the page number.

Preparation

(a) The three items...

Page 1

Introducing The Articles Used

"This is one of the oldest feats in magic..."

Page 1

Balls Vanish From the Hands And Appear Under The Cups

"It is said that the quickest of the hands deceives the eye, ..."

Page 3

Spectator's Choice

Place the wand...

Page 4

All The Balls Appear Under The Centre Cup

At the conclusion...

Page 6

Loading The Cups For The Climax

As this stage is reached...

Page 7

"Of course that leaves a ball under the centre cup..."

Page 7/8

CLIMAX

Page 9

The symbols help the reader study the routine in a non-linear manner by aligning the symbolic view to the chapter of interest. This is a very common situation when routines are studied. Notation made available in this manner facilitates the lecture and active analysis not only of magic books, but also of videos and other formats.

The above may inspire you to return to your bookshelf, locate the booklet and dedicate a few moments to it with the above in mind.