By Chris Van Bern
The effect of the Tourniquet Pass, as described in 'Modern
Magic,' lends itself to considerable improvement. It will be remembered that in the original version, the coin is first held between the tip of the thumb and second fingers. It is not possible to show both hands empty after the pass, and the following method of performing the sleight seems, to the writer, an improvement.
Method Of Performing The Tourniquet Pass Showing Both Hands Empty
Instead of holding the coin between the thumb and index finger, grip it with the thumb and third. The thumb of the other hand now passes under the coin in the usual way, but the instant the money is covered, the second finger of the hand holding the coin is brought under the latter, and the first on top. These two fingers grasp the coin by its edge in close proximity to the ball of the thumb.
The thumb and third finger now release their hold, and the hand is straightened out. As a result, the coin remains back (finger) palmed, and thus both bands can be shown empty.
To recover the coin bend the first and second fingers well into the palm, and so transfer the coin to a 'grip' between the fleshy ball of the thumb and the first joint. From this position it may readily be transferred to the palm proper, and produced as desired.
Handling
The coin is displayed in the left hand, held by the thumb and finger tips. The coin is shifted so it is held between the thumb tip and third finger tip. The right hand moves in, right thumb going under the coin, right fingers straightened and together covering the coin to mask the sleight.
The left second finger curls in under the coin, pressing up lightly on the bottom coin face. The left first finger moves down on the edge of the coin. In the photograph the thumb is pulled away to show the action. The first and second fingers straighten, the coin edge clipped between the two fingers, the remainder behind the fingers.
Side view of the coin clipped and concealed. The right hand is closed as if holding the coin. The left hand is open, the coin invisible to the spectators.
To retrieve the coin, the left first and second fingers curl into the palm. The left thumb moves down and grasps the coin between the ball and base of the thumb. The fingers curl slightly and the coin is released from the thumb palm to fall into finger palm position.
Performance Notes
Chris Van Bern's A Novel Tourniquet Pass originally appeared in 'The Magic Wand,' London, March, 1915.
A large diameter coin is used in the photographs to make the working obvious. The sleight can be used on stage with a coin of this size. For close up work, a smaller coin will improve the angles.
