Loopy Loop
Loopy
Loop, AKA "Pricking the Garter" or... call
it what you wish. It's the old gambling
game with and Endless Loop. Whilst working
up various handlings, I came upon a NEW
item and a Magical Finish for the routine.
The
effect: After doing the Gambling Demonstrations
showing how the "sucker" can not win, that
no matter which side he/she chooses, they
will always be "loose" (another name for
the routine is Fast and Loose!). Now that
you know more history than you care to...
what's my new effect?
You
make the standard layout, and place YOUR
finger in the figure 8 wherever the spectator
asks. You say, "No matter where I place
my finger, I guarantee you, my finger will
be INSIDE A LOOP.
You
do so.
How?
Simple. You add another loop. I use a small
loop (the one shown is actually a bit too
large) which you can either get from your
pocket at an opportune moment, if seated
have in your lap, or it could be in your
sleeve. Whatever fits the situation.
You
then do the layout, and you get the small
loop into position (in palm but looped around
index finger) making sure it is not seen
from the front. (see photos for clear look
at positions, grip, etc.).
As
you reach to pull the layout you drop the
hand into the selected side of the figure
8, and as you draw the chain away, the small
loop is let drop and merges in with the
jumbled loops--so when the long loop is
pulled free and away, you are left with
the small loop encircling your finger. Yes,
you win... you finger IS INSIDE A LOOP.
George
Blake's Loopy Loop, Nick Trost published
a fine handling and so did Ken Brooke. Whit
Haydn has a manuscript on the subject, they
are all worth study.
Try
it... you'll like it.
