Palming

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Palming is a technique for holding or concealing an object in the hand. Though the name suggests that the object is concealed in the palm of the hand, it may also be concealed using just the fingers or thumb while still being referred to as a palm. It is used frequently by magicians to conceal the presence of a card, coin, or other objects. When done skillfully, the hand containing the palmed object appears to be completely empty. Although counterintuitive, several top magicians palm with unnatural hand positions. They mirror this position with both hands so it's less visible.

Spoiler warning: The following section reveals a magic secret.

1 Methods
- 1.1 Coins
- 1.2 Playing Cards
2 External Links

[edit] Methods

Methods for palming differ depending on the hand position desired. The most commonly concealed objects by close-up magicians are coins, and playing cards.

[edit] Coins

The Classic Palm. To palm a coin, the coin should be held between the muscle which forms the base of the thumb, and the fleshy portion of the side of the palm beneath the thumb. Slight lateral pressure should be used to hold the coin in place. While learning this sleight there is a tendency to hold the thumb away from fingers in order to increase the pressure applied on the object - giving the onlooker a clear clue that something is not right. This is a great habit to adopt. It hides any other deception that might be going on.

The Finger Palm is an easier method of concealing a coin or small object. The coin drops from being displayed at fingertips to the bend of the fingers, usually the pinkey and index fingers. In this position the object can be held quite securely, while still maintaining a repremandable position. The hand can be seen from a wide range of angles without revealing the object. Often this hand is used in misdirection or picking up another object, thereby further reinforcing the idea that it contains a secret object. Many magicians secrete the palmed object into the top of their pants. This allows for the incredible "fly production" that leaves most spectators with a very lofty opinion of magicians. The fly production consists of showing your hand empty, opening your pant's fly, then pulling out a previously palmed item. The sheer impossibility of this (especially when done with a signed coin) makes this a great kicker ending.

The Back Palm is a method of concealing a coin behind the hand, while displaying the palm of the hand to the audience. Traditionally the coin is gripped between the ring finger and the little finger with the other fingers and thumb concealing the coin. T Nelson Downs developed and used this concealment to great success in his Misers Dream routine.

The Thumb Palm is a less used but very useful palm whereby all the fingers of the hand, except for the thumb, can move. The coin is held clipped between the thumb and the hand. To get the coin into this position, it must start off held between the ringfinger and thumb tip. Bending those fingers in will bring the coin into place where it can be gripped into thumb palm position.

With practice, one can easily palm coins (and similarly shaped objects) of varying sizes. Smaller objects take more practice to palm naturally, however, and many people prefer to learn using the American half dollar coin as it has a strongly ridged (milled) edge making it easier to hold securely.

[edit] Playing Cards

Due to their size, playing cards are considerably more challenging to palm effectively than coins. Because of this, several different methods have been devised. Below are some of the more common methods.

The Classic Palm is most often used for removing the top or bottom card from a deck or packet of cards. The hand holding the deck slightly raises or offsets the top card, which is briefly covered by the same hand. This hand is held slightly arched, with the fingers somewhat together. Pressure is applied to the short edge of the card with the bottom pad of the thumb, around the first knuckle. The pressure causes the opposite end of the card to rise up into the palm of the hand, where it can be held in place by the finger tips. As the hand concealing the card is now in a somewhat unnatural position, misdirection is especially important here.

The Gambler's Cop is perhaps the easiest, and can be used to conceal several cards at once. In the Gambler's Cop, the card (or cards) are held with one corner between the index and ring finger, with the short edge of the card pointing towards the pinkey, where that corner is held by the base of the palm. The hand looks very natural and the card is invisible when the hand is at the magician's side, as well as in other positions if angles are paid good attention to.

The Tenkai Palm allows for a much cleaner and less conspicuous concealment that is useful for controls, but is very sensitive to the angle at which it is being viewed. The card is held between the index finger tip and palm and is very angle sensitive and good for productions.

The One-Handed Top Palm is a less conspicuous way to get the top card into the classic palm position. By holding the deck in right hand dealer's grip, and pushing forward on the center of the top card, it will pivot up and around the pinkey finger, and into the classic palm position. The deck can then be tabled, or placed in the other hand.