Matrix (magic trick)

Matrix is a close-up magic coin and card trick developed by magician, Al Schneider, in which four coins are placed under four cards then the coins appear to magically teleport from one card to another until all four coins are under one card. The trick is a variation of "chink-a-chink" which is a variation of "Sympathetic Coins" also known as "Coins-n-Cards". Sympathetic Coins was invented by Yank Hoe and was first performed in 1891.[1] Another variation is called "Shadow Coins".

Trick

Four coins appear to be set under four cards which are placed in a square. In the process of placing the coins sleight of hand is required to steal one coin from under the card and place it under a different card giving the illusion that the coin invisibly jumped from one card to another. While picking up other cards the coin are then slipped under one card until all four coins appear under one card.[2]

Close-up magician, Ryan Hayashi, created a more advanced version of the trick which he calls "Ultimate Matrix" in which part of the trick is performed with one hand.[3]

History

The Matrix coin and card trick was developed in 1960 by Al Schneider, a physicist and mathematician. It was published in 1970 in Genii 1970 November. Fellow magician Karrell Fox suggested calling the trick "Al-ternating Coins", however Schneider decided on "Matrix" due to his math background.

References
  1. "The Mysterious Coin" by John Northern Hilliard in Stanyon's Magic (December 1904)
  2. Richard Kaufman (9 February 2010). Knack Magic Tricks: A Step-by-Step Guide to Illusions, Sleight of Hand. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 72–. ISBN 978-0-7627-6257-6.
  3. Bharat Rao (19 January 2019). Magical: How Magic and its Star Performers Transformed the Entertainment Economy. Bharat Rao. pp. 109–. GGKEY:NBWTL8L9C8H.

Further reading
  • Matrix Coin Trick by Al Schneider in Genii 1970 November, Vol. 35, No. 3, page 123.
  • Al Schneider and the story of Matrix, Genii 2000 February
  • Earle Jerome Coleman (1 January 1987). Magic: A Reference Guide. Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-23397-5.
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