This routine is famously used in the classic “Cups and Balls” to control where the audience thinks the balls are located at all times. All you need is four batteries of matching size. Of course, you can use many other objects of similar size to perform the same effect. Here’s some ideas: coins, erasers, paperclips, or even gum packets.

Pro Tip: Your audience should never know you are using four objects. In their mind, you are only showing three at any given time. For vanishing, you can use a pocket, handkerchief, magician’s change bag, or small box.

Learn more easy magic by watching the rest of these close-up effects in the “Quick Tricks” series. There are more courses on this platform that teach similar tricks, including: “Reza’s Favorite Tricks,” “Jawdroppers 80 Tricks,” and “Do You Want To Learn Magic?”