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FOUR EASYFUN AND

RUBBER BAND EFFECTS

originally created and published by

BEN HARRIS

in 1987

30 pages and 49 photographs

You are authorized to keep one copy of this manuscript on your computer and to print a single copy

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End User Agreement

Bandsof

Gold4 ORIGINAL AND EASY

RUBBER BAND EFFECTS

originally created and published by

BEN HARRIS

in 1987

Copyright 1987 and 2009 by Ben Harris

Digital Edition Copyright 2009 by Ben Harris

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted,

in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,

photocopying, recording, the internet, or otherwise,

without the prior permission of the author in writing.

Published by Media T Marketing Pty Ltd

PO Box 86, Northgate, 4013

Queensland, Australia

www.wowbound.com

This digital edition, edited by

Steve Shufton

INTRODUCTION TO THE 2009 EDITION

I had never been particularly interested in this fieldcards have always

seemed to take up most of my time and interestso you can thank Jay

Sankey for the diversion. Jay got me going, but I refused to part from my

trusty cards completely. Thus, the material herein COMBINES cards

with rubber bands.

An important caveat from the original 1987 introduction: One must

consider that the special nature of the rubber band (its elasticity) is well

understood by the laymen. Therefore, it is important to be sensitive to

this fact when creating new rubber band material. This is just as true

today.

The material in BANDS OF GOLD relies heavily on the built-in 'cloning'

ability of a rubber band. What I mean by this is, under the right

conditions, a single rubber band may masquerade as two or even

three individual bands. This gives you one ahead or even a two

ahead advantage over your audience.

Weve replaced the rather poor diagrams in the original edition with

nice clear photographsmaking the material EASIER to learn than

ever before. So grab some size #12 and size #18 elastic bands, (or a few

hair bands for extra visibility), and lets stretch!

Ben Harris.

2009

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Hundred Dollar Band

This first effect, a prediction of sorts, is the perfect lead-in to any sequence of rubber band

magic. Once prepared, it can reside in your pocket (or close-up case) just waiting to go.

The $100 BAND can be played for a casual laugh, or as a serious piece of mentalism.

EFFECT:

The performer places a card case on the table. It has two rubber bands running width-wise

around it. He then says...

The spectator now chooses whichever band he likes. There is no equivoque. The selected

band is removed from around the case and handed to him. It appears to be normal in every

respect. That's because it is!

The performer now slowly removes the remaining band, his band, and it is found to have a

$100.00 bill genuinely stapled to it!

"I'd like you to choose either of the two rubber bands. Please make your choice

carefully, the band you choose is the band you get to keep.

And, this is really exciting because one of the bands is the 'HUNDRED DOLLAR

BAND'it has the ability to earn $100.00 with each performance.

Select the correct band, and you'll be $100.00 richer. If you leave the 'HUNDRED

DOLLAR BAND' for me, then I'll collect the cash. The choice is yours!

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1 2

3 4

5 6

ADVANCE PREPARATION:

Fold a $100.00 bill (or a $10.00 bill, adjusting your patter accordingly) in half along its

length. Once you've done this, do it again. Now fold it in half width-wise. And then width-

wise once more. You'll end up with a tiny elongated packet. Feed a size #12 rubber band into

throat of the folded billthen staple the packet closed as in DIAGRAM #1.

The band and the bill are linked together.

Place the banded bill around your card case. DIAGRAM #2. Turn the case over, bringing the

bill to the underside. Now, grasp the band with the right fingers and pull it into a large loop.

DIAGRAM #3. Form this into a figure 8 by twisting your hand at the wrist. The left hand

now inserts the case back into the loop. DIAGRAM #4. On the NON BILL SIDE of the case,

move and wiggle the two loops towards the opposing endscreating the illusion of TWO

SEPARATE BANDS. DIAGRAM #5.

Curl up a second band and tuck it beneath the first band, (at the point where the band

crosses the bill), DIAGRAM #6.

Carry this in your pocket or close-up case and you are ready to perform.

TO PERFORM:

Introduce the case (without revealing the hidden condition on the underside) and allow a

spectator a free choice of either band. Once he has selected the band he wants, orientate the

card case in your left palm so that HIS SELECTED band is near your wrist. DIAGRAM #6

shows the position. The selected band is the one closest to you.

The right fingers now approach from above and grasp the spectator's band. DIAGRAM #7. It

is pulled back off the end of the case and then pretend placed onto the left palm.

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7 8

9 10

12

DIAGRAMS #8 and #9.

Really, you just let the elastic power of the band retract it. These actions have also released

the previously hidden band onto the left palm.

To finish: Lift and turn the case to show the clean band on your palm, and the $100 BAND

strapped to the card case. DIAGRAM #10.

Additional note: Be prepared to nip the hidden band loose with your left fingers, just in

case it fails to release of its own accord.

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11 12

13 14

15 16

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Green Card Transposition

This second effect is a transposition between the $100 BAND and the spectator's band. The

bands change, but the bill stays in place. Odd, but effective!

Again, the effect is almost automatic. It is also BEST performed immediately after The $100

Band. In addition to the objects already in use, youll require a sheet of stickers and a pen.

EFFECT:

Snapping the two magical rubber bands from the previous effect back around the case, the

performer comments...

The performer removes a small green sticker from his pocket and attaches it to the

spectator's band. The spectator is now asked to initial the sticker to lend authorization.

The spectator naturally agrees to go along with this. The performer removes the Green Card

Band and holds it in his left hand. The $100.00 Band remains around the card case.

The left hand is given a gentle shake and the Green Card Band is then dropped from the

handhowever, it is no longer the said band. It is free from any markings or bruising.

"I bet that you wished that you had chosen the other band! Well, not to worry. You

see your band has the potential, all it needs is a Green Card or a Seal of Approval and

then it can start to work.

There, now he's ready to go to work. He'll be collecting tips in no time. I tell you

what, if you want, you can have the other band and I'll keep the Green Card band and train

him myself.

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17 18

19 20

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The card case is flipped over and the signed sticker is found on the $100.00 Band!

TO PERFORM:

Firstly, you must set the bands under the guise of merely replacing them around the cased

deck. Fortunately, this is extremely easy to do.

Start by snapping the $100.00 Band around the top end of the case. DIAGRAM #11.

Now flip the case over, end for end, so that this band is at the end closest to you (and the bill

is below the box). Pick up the other band and apparently snap it around the deck. In reality,

simply nip this second band against the case with your left thumb and stretch the $100

Band back around the case in its place (using the figure 8 loop technique previously

taught). DIAGRAMS #12 and #13.

To the audience, you have simply wrapped the case with both bands. In fact, the second

band is secretly concealed below the case (DIAGRAM #14) and the $100 Band masquerades

as BOTH bands (DIAGRAM #15).

Introduce the sheet of small stickers and have one initialed by the spectator. Then, remove

it from its backing, slip it beneath the SPECTATORS BAND, and fold it back on itself. This

band is now encircled by the initialed sticker. DIAGRAM #16.

To create the transposition, follow the handling taught in the first effect, The Hundred

Dollar Band. To wit: pretend to remove the band with the sticker on it, supposedly placing it

on the hand below. DIAGRAMS #17 and #18. In this case the left hand IMMEDIATELY closes

around its band to disguise the ABSENCE of the sticker. The right hand has removed the case

from above and the hands are now held separated for the magic moment. DIAGRAM #19.

The hands are given a shake and then the left hand opens to show that the sticker has

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audience view

audience view

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22

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vanished from the band. The right hand slowly twists the case to reveal the arrival of the

sticker on the $100 Band. DIAGRAM #20.

An Additional Convincer:

By adapting an idea from the Jay Sankey/Richard Sanders book - WHEN CREATORS

COLLIDE, we can make the transposition seem even more convincing.

Stick a duplicate sticker to your right thumb nail. Trim it to fit if need be. It should NOT be

visible from the fleshy side of your thumb tip, only the nail side. With a little care, you can

conceal this condition throughout your performance. Or you can attach it just prior to

using it.

To put this clever idea to use, youll flash the extra sticker as you stretch the Green Card

Band between your hands (prior to allowing it to snap into the left hand). The subtle flash of

sticker is a perfect convincer.

The mere action of releasing the band straightens the right thumb, making the decoy

sticker vanish at just the right moment. DIAGRAMS #21, #22 and #23 show the sequence.

To complete the effect, slowly open the left hand to show that the band is now NAKED. Then

reveal the stickers re-appearance on the $100 Band.

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SLEIGHT OF BAND

Here is a more traditional elastic band/deck of cards effect. Its quite visual and once you

get the knack, very easy.

EFFECT:

A card is selected and shuffled back into the deck. The performer comments...

The performer places a rubber band around the deck length-wise and displays this freely.

Then, magically and at his command, the rubber band rises upwards to only encircle about

half the deck.

The performer feels that he may be just a little out and he magically sends the band back

so that it is once again around the entire deck.

Once again, the rubber band melts upwards to encircle just under half the deck. This

banded half packet is lifted and the face card of the group is found to be the selected card!

TO PERFORM:

Simply, have either a size #16 or #18 band handy along with a deck of cards. Have a card

selected, noted and then returned to the deck. Control it to the bottom of the face down

pack. I find the best and most direct method to be a Spread Control.

"I would normally use some sort of sleight of hand to find your card. But for now, I'm

going to use 'SLEIGHT OF BAND' in an attempt to find your lone pasteboard.

"I think I was out by a few cards. Let's try again ...Ah, that's better!

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24 25

26 27

21

audience view

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audience view

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28 29

30 31

32 33

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Patter about sleight of hand, execute a few shuffles and fancy cuts being sure to leave the

selection undisturbed on the bottom.

Comment ...

Cut the deck in half and secure a break below the now centralized selection. Pick up the

rubber band in the right hand, stretch it around the fingers and thumb and then approach

the deck from the rear, DIAGRAM #24.

Apparently, encircle the deck, but really insert the lower strand of band into the break,

DIAGRAM #25, and then allow it to bend down and around the outer right corner as you

encircle the front end fairly. DIAGRAM #26.

Allow the band to snap off the right thumb and fingers and it will appear as if you've simply

snapped the band around the deck.

DIAGRAM #27 is how the deck looks from above and DIAGRAM #28 is a view from below.

Hold the deck at the left long edge with left thumb on top and the fingers below. The right

first finger contacts the outer right corner of the deck and bends it upwards sharply. It then

allows the cards to 'run' off the finger tip as a gesture of fairness.

This really sells the concept that the deck is fairly banded, DIAGRAM #29. Now, let the deck

sit in the left hand dealing position.

To make the rubber band rise upwards to encircle half the deck, simply place your right

fingers and thumb against the top of the deck in Biddle type positon, DIAGRAM #30, and

then push the top block forward, DIAGRAM #31.

"I'm not going to use sleight of hand, I'm going to employ 'sleight of band'..."

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This bold bluff creates the illusion of the band 'melting' upwards into the deck. Claim that

you feel you've missed the selection by a couple of cards and then pull the top half back. The

rubber band will again appear to encircle the complete deck as in DIAGRAM #32.

Repeat the push forward to again create the illusion of the band melting upwards. Then, to

finish, move the encircled half off the lower half by sliding it diagonally to the right, as in

DIAGRAM #33. The band will then snap free from the lower half in a noise free manner.

Turn the right hand at the wrist to display the trapped selection on the bottom of the right

hand packet. DIAGRAM #34.

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Bandsof

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I've always liked the notion of performing a mini version of a fully fledged illusion at the

close-up table. In my first book, FOR CLOSE-UP MAGICIANS' EYES ONLY! I presented SUPER

SLICE. This was a tiny version of the Sawing A Lady In Half plot. Heres another version,

but with elastic bands.

EFFECT:

The performer snaps a small rubber band width-wise around his deck. One card is

withdrawn from under the band and the edge of the card is now pressed against one edge of

the rubber band. It penetrates and the performer continues to push the card through.

However, when he reaches the other edge on the far side of the deck, he meets resistance.

With one final push, the cutting card visually melts through the remaining strand of band!

Has the band been cut in half?

Noit is now found to have been severed into TWO HALF-SIZED BANDS! Both are complete

and unharmed in any manner. Everything is clean and can be examined!

ADVANCE PREPARATION:

Slip a size #12 band around half of the deck at a position of approximately three quarters of

an inch from one end. DIAGRAM #35. Drop the other half of the deck on top of this and

place the assembled deck into your card case.

Snap another size #12 band around the case and you are ready to entertain.

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35 36

37 38

39 40

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Remove the band from around the case and drop it to the table. Now slide the deck from the

case and hold it as in DIAGRAM #36, with the left thumb and second finger covering the

edges of the second band.

Pull down with your left little finger to secure a break between the halves (easy due to the

band), as your right hand picks up the visible band from the table.

Snap this visible band around the right fingers and thumb and appear to simply slip the

band over the end of the deck nearest you. In fact, you'll be executing the same placement

that you did in SLEIGHT OF BAND, only this time the band is placed width-wise. In other

words, the right hand moves in from the rear allowing the lower strand of band to enter the

break, DIAGRAM #37. The band is then moved over the left inner corner of the deck as in

DIAGRAM #38 and then released. It appears as if you've simply encircled the inner end of

the deck. In order to conceal the work you need to keep your wrist twisted so that the

DIRTY EDGE of the deck is PARTIALLY towards the floor. Or, position your audience slightly

to your left.

Push downwards with your left thumb to gently bevel the deck as in DIAGRAM #39.

Now, pull the top card of the deck free with your right hand, DIAGRAM #40. It is this card

that you will use to apparently penetrate the band.

Turn the card face up and tap it against the lower long end of the deck. Note that this end of

the deck is facing the floor. Appear to encounter some resistance, and then smoothly push

the card into the deck immediately below the band. DIAGRAM #41. It is easy and almost

automatic to do this by feel alone.

Move the cutting card to the left for about half an inch to insure that it does not gag or catch

on the loop of band that runs over the short edge of the deck.

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41 42

43 44

45 46

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Continue to push the cutting card through the deck until you reach the other long edge

closest to you. Continue to push the card further, so that the band stretches to show visual

resistance, DIAGRAM #42.

Pause to allow this 'visual' to register and then pull the card half way out of the deck as in

DIAGRAM #43.

Release the card and then openly turn it a quarter turn as in DIAGRAM #44. In this position,

firmly grasp the card with the right fingers and move it smoothly up and apparently

through the second edge of the band. DIAGRAMS #45 & #46.

It appears as if you really have severed the band. The band will stay put and 'slink' around

the top block due to its elastic nature. It is automatic.

Table the cutting card as you now prepare to show the two band climax.

Curl your left forefinger over the front of the deck, DIAGRAM #47. With a smooth wrist

action, flop the top half of the deck forward into the right hand as in DIAGRAM #48. The left

forefinger acts as the pivot point.

Now flip the left hand packet over sideways and drop it onto the right hand half as in

DIAGRAM #49.

Grasp the two layered unit from the left side with the left fingers and remove the two bands

one at a time to show that the first band has been magically severed into RUBBER TWINS!

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