Stop and Go Blocks by Thomas Pohle

Another great close-up item from the German Magic Craftsman: Thomas Pohle.  This is based on Hoffman’s Obedient Ball as featured in Professor Hoffman’s Modern Magic.  Though this effect is of Japanese origin and is sometimes known as the Japanese Ball. The most popular version of this effect is Tenyo’s Cubio.  Colin Rose created a very nice version that is shown here.

One feature with Thomas’ version is that the cubes can be set live in front of the audience so that everything can 100% be examined. This same feature was also present in Brema’s Triple Mystery Cube c. 1932 and later in Carl’s son William Brema’s Cubio c.1946. Thomas’ version takes a little knack to be able to set these blocks so that they can stop and start on demand.  Doing this live in front of the audience might be tricky, or at least I found it so.

One approach is to set both blocks before you begin.  Then have then select either block at first and show the stop and start with that block.  Then release it and hand it to the spectator to do the same thing.  They can’t of course. Then you still have the second block ready to go to do the do as I do.

Of course with practice you will be able to hook up live with ease, but I found that some trial and error is required at first.

Effect: You show two pierced decorated Chinese cubes one red and one yellow with two matching colored strings. The cubes are seen to move freely on both strings.

The spectator chooses one block and string and you take the other. And now you both let the blocks from the top to the bottom between your hands as they are held vertically apart.

But at any time the performers block will stop and go whereas the spectator’s block does not. Even if you swap blocks the same things happen and no matter how much the blocks are examined they cannot figure it out!

Found something wrong? Help us improve things by clicking here!