Cups and balls

The cups and balls trick is an old magic effect that has spawned a variety of adaptations. Paintings on tomb – and temple walls, suggest the effect dates back as far as Ancient Egypt.

The basic premise of the trick is that the magician seems to make balls or other small objects pass through solid metal and jump from cup to cup. The trick usually ends with a larger object appearing in place of the balls.

Although traditionally cups and balls are used in the trick, many other types of small objects and covers can be used. The 3-Shell Game, played by con men the world over, is a variant on the cups and balls.