Dr Sacks Dice Routine

[James Munton]

I still don't know what autoblog means. I think it is more interesting that hearing about Richard being slightly tipsy in 1998.

And the problem with Mother is that after a while you realize you've just read the same story for the fifth time.

[Mark.Lewis]

For the umpteenth time I am not your bloody mother and if I were I would disown you. And this is the first time that Richard has heard the story. I wish you hadn't given away the fact that I have told the story five times.

When I am in the mood I will describe the actual incident and what Richard said concerning Power of Faith and the colour change. He was startled that there was someone in his presence who knew all about these things and it nearly sobered him up.

[James Munton]

I have just received a message from Mark Lewis. The poor man is quite distraught since he has just realized he made a terrible mistake. It was not in fact Richard who was a little bit tipsy at NYCAN 11 years ago, but another person entirely. Unfortunately, Mark is unable to post at the moment or he would have cleared up everything himself.

He wishes to express his apologies for this awful mistake and hopes Richard will forgive him for yet another one of his rather embarrassing "senior moments." He has been trying to see his doctor, the world famous Dr. Doyle, about his memory problems, but Mark lives in Canada and is on a rather long waiting list.

Anyway, it is hoped that Judge Kaufman will take Mark's apology and contrition into account when considering sentencing.

[Gerald Deutsch]

I have seen Sol Stone entertain so many people with his version of this effect using a single die.

[808]

A magician in San Diego showed me a slightly modified version of Bob Sheets's "It's the Rules." Not knowing either (Sack's or Sheets's) routine, I couldn't tell you how it was modified. It was highly memorable, however.

[Harry Lorayne]

Decades ago, when I was doing table magic at The Little Club in NYC, I did Sack's dice routine at every table. It was pretty dark in the club. I gave one spectator a tiny flashlight and had him or her shine it on my fingertips as I did the entire routine. It worked for me. In those long ago, far away, days I used to carry the two small dice that I used in a key chain apparatus at my belt. After The Little Club, I had a magic/joke place at 52nd and B'way. I was arrested once (long story, which I've written about before - I had some cards from the Wonder Deck, topless girls, in the window!! Terrible crime). When I was brought "downtown" to the tombs, I was searched, etc. before being put in a cell. The dice were removed, examined, and I was looked at as if I was a gambler/cheater/criminal. HL.

[Ian Kendall]

Bob Sheets' work on the routine includes a different grip and paddle move that allows the use of much larger dice. Using casino dice becomes much easier with this grip.

Also, he has a nice coda to the routine that serves as an ending.

Take care, Ian

[808]

Bob Sheets' work on the routine includes a different grip and paddle move that allows the use of much larger dice. Using casino dice becomes much easier with this grip.

Also, he has a nice coda to the routine that serves as an ending.

Take care, Ian

Thanks for the information.

[Randy Sager]

Opie, the routine in Sachs Sleight of Hand is not the same as the Dr. Sack routine in Bruce Elliott's Classic Secrets of Magic.

Mike Skinner did do the routine, and he used jumbo big-ass dice. I personally don't think the turnover move was as convincing with such big dice (obviously the dice were held differently). If you want a classic close-up routine with two ordinary dice that you can just pick up and do anytime, you can't beat it.

Richard Just quick question. I had seen Michael do the Sach's routine a few times largest dice I seen him use were Regulation casino dice. Smallest ones were standard board game size. Did you see Micheal use larger than casino dice or are those the big ass ones your are speaking of?

This is one of the few times I actually agree with Mark Lewis. The effect is very good.

[Richard Kaufman]

Oh yes: I saw Skinner do the effect with jumbo dice, at least two or three inches square. His handling of the turnover involved a large motion, raising and lowering the arm vertically to show the underside.

[Tarotist]

I am bringing back this amusing old thread since I have noticed that there doesn't seem to be any video of the trick in question so here you all are!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRvT_6msjcs

[Smurf]

Here is a video of Melvin Burkhart doing a routine with large dice. He was an excellent sideshow magician.

It starts around 4:45 in the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MRBnzoG2u4

[Tarotist]

Here is a video of Melvin Burkhart doing a routine with large dice. He was an excellent sideshow magician.

It starts around 4:45 in the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MRBnzoG2u4

Aha! I never ever thought this could ever be done on stage! I must show Munton this!

[Richard Kaufman]

Mike Skinner always did it with jumbo dice.

[Tarotist]

I showed Munton the video. Here is his comment:

"I liked his Professor's Nightmare. I was hoping he had figured out an ending to the Sacks Dice Trick, but unfortunately after 70 years of performing it, he still couldn't come up with an ending. However, the best thing was seeing one of the comments from someone who used to see him as a child. He said, "His act was always the same but it never got old." This is truly a wonderful testament and speaks to my own approach."

[Richard Kaufman]

There is a perfect ending to the trick as described in Classic Secrets of Magic. The numbers on the dice jump back and forth in a flash, which is different than what has come before.

[Tarotist]

Yes. I use that ending. After all, I learned the routine from the Classic Secrets of Magic. I keep telling Munton about the ending but alas he is in denial over the matter.

Mind you I have never seen it on stage before. I am quite a fan of old Melvin Buckhart. Unlike 90% of so called "magicians" he is an interesting character.

[NicholasD52]

I read this thread with great interest. The Sack dice routine has been a "go to" effect for me when someone ( either layperson or magician, asks me to do a trick). I have used a version of James Lewis' routine for almost thirty years. I often use it as an opener when doing restaurant table magic. The usual response I get when performing for laymen is an audible gasp, when I start the routine and at the end ( which consists of the spots visibly jumping, as previously mentioned). It's fine with me that many magicians think of this as merely a paddle move trick. In thirty years, I don't remember a lay person having ever seen it before. I've also used this for formal close up shows for up to thirty people or more.

A couple of points about why I think this works for me. I use 3/4 inch dice, white with black spots for larger audiences and green with white spots for close up. In the James Lewis routine, the dice are held in front of the body. This allows the audience to see your face and and you to see theirs. It also eliminates the sometimes contorted hand and wrist positions that can occur when the hand is held to the side. And most importantly, the dice must be kept in the same plane throughout the effect. We've all seen magicians doing paddle move tricks in which their hand moves up and down, making it difficult for the spectators to stay focused on the changes that are occurring.

[Tarotist]

I put my routine up on TikTok to amuse all the Chinese spies on there. It has garnered very good comments from the public although I am not sure if the spies enjoyed it.