If you go see a lot of magicians perform — and I do — there are certain tricks that you tire of seeing because most performers do them pretty much the same way. At the Magic Castle, when the magician hauls out the Linking Rings or launches into the Torn-and-Restored Newspaper, you can almost hear a lot of the audience thinking, "Oh, not this again." I have seen some fun innovations on those two chestnuts but most of the time, they're doing it the way everyone does it.
This is not the case with the trick that some say is the oldest magic trick ever — The Cups and Balls. Most magicians who do that trick (and they all have at one time or another) have come up with interesting variations. It's also the kind of trick where there's no end to how much better you can get at the physical dexterity involved…case in point: Paul Gertner. Mr. Gertner is one of the most respected close-up guys around and here's how he does it. I think he does it this week on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, as well…