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For centuries, the “Cups and Balls” have fascinated audiences and magicians alike. The trick has been featured by nearly every great performer in the history of the art; in nearly every venue - from street corners to Broadway theatres.
The Cups and Balls are often referred to as the oldest form of deception or example of magic. While this may not be strictly true, historical references to the basic illusion date back several thousand years. However, the effect of the Cups and Balls is by no means outdated – indeed, recent presentations of the trick by the renowned authorities Michael Ammar and Paul Daniels have won numerous awards for their renditions of a seemingly timeless classic of the art of magic. In the foreword to “The Complete Cups and Balls,” [Michael Ammar, 1998] Tommy Wonder stated, “Such a trick truly represents the roots of our art, and is capable of infinite variation.” It would appear that there are many causes as to the continued success of the Cups and Balls, with the possible flexibility within a routine and the ability for a magician to display his or her personality being key factors.
The essential equipment for the effect are three cups and four small objects. The effect itself is a series of variations where the objects appear and disappear from under the inverted cups, building up to a climax whereupon the cups are lifted to reveal that the balls are suddenly visibly larger or have turned into vegetables and fruit.
A variety of cup styles have been popular through the centuries and the type used is often dependent on the culture in which the performer works. From Asia come the handle-less tea cups, from India a small-footed goblet with a shallow interior, and from eighteenth century Europe, a conical shaped cup very similar to the plastic “Stadium” cups still used today at Western sporting events. Despite this, bowls, paper cups and just about every other variety of container have been used at one time or another, again displaying the obvious diversity available when performing the Cups and Balls.
