Don Alan always stated that all you need is ONE cup.
It's much simpler and more direct for the audience to follow as a piece of magic.
I forget who said that the audience never remembers all the things that happens with the 3 cups and the only thing they recall (and wait for) is the jumbo load productions. For the audience, the rest of the routine is just filler. (Personally I hate this thought!)
But, that's why I think the 3 cups were originally a street game, like the 3 shells, and only in modern times are they exclusively presented as magic by magicians.

Mike… To be honest I like the Chop Cup because I am more familiar with it, I have been using one for a long time. I am learning to appreciate the Cups and Balls with each day; sometimes I feel the routines are too long for most lay people. Don’t get me wrong, I really do see the talent and skill with some performers, but a lot of their stuff is a little esoteric and will only appeal to those that are into the Cups. It is kind of like some great musicians that will play some pieces that are technically outstanding, but I wouldn’t want to dance to it. I hope that I am making sense.

I am continuing to learn and practice the Vernon routine. Once I get the moves down I will spend time making a presentation to go with it that I can call my own.

Most of the Chop Cup routines that I use are from a book titled “The Chop Cup Book.” I was lucky enough to purchase one when it first came out (1979). The routine that I like the most is called “The Multiplication Cup.” To me it is like a 3 Cup routine… balls disappear, increase in number, a ball/Cup penetration and a final load. It moves fast and is easy for on lookers to keep up with. The routines that come with the RNT2 Chop Cups are great too. I also recommend a DVD from L&L Publishing that is titled “The Secrets of the Chop Cup.”  If anything it is fun to watch our magic heroes perform.

I also agree with you that I like this forum also, I feel more comfortable speaking with you all here then at the other forum we all know. 

Tom… You and I have spoken about the Chop Cup verses the Cups many times; you understand where I am coming from. I hope you are feeling better!

Don… thanks for adding your remarks. I would like to get to a point where I can do the Cups and Balls and be as entertaining to a lay audience as I can be with a Chop Cup.

Thanks all for participating here, it seems like (at least to me) that things are starting to gel. I look forward to our conversations.

Best wishes,
Bruce

I'll confess. I perform a chop cup routine in my act.  I've done so for the better part of four decades.

I don't have a three cup routine that I perform in front of people, because I haven't got one as smooth as my chop cup routine.

Now that I have retired, I'm working on a three cup routine. But it won't be ready for WMS.

Hey there choppers.

I agree that many cup routines are too complicated. I know my 3 cup routine is exactly 3 minutes long. I only do six effects in those three minutes. My routine is actually pretty darned simple (I hope) in the number of effects.

Bill, the main reason I'm lugging my fat ass to Vegas is to hang out with you and Pete, if you guys will let me. I buy booze!

I also have a chop cup routine with some of the elements of my 3 cup routine. I'll gladly show it off at WMS to anyone foolish enough to ask.

KG

Kent's buying? I'm in!!

That must be some chop cup routine. 

I just bought a chop cup and have put together a pretty basic routine that worked out to great success at the restaurant on Thursday. The first performance was for a huge party of 50 and got great reactions so I went with it table to table until I lost the ball in a dark corner somewhere never to be found again... Must remember to buy several balls.

Eddie... welcome to the world of Chop Cups!

Thanks, I'm glad I tried it. I never would've thought it'd get any reactions anywhere near a regular cups routine. Good thing I gave it a shot.

Eddie,
I always have had better luck with a Chop Cup then a Cup Set, maybe because that is what I am most comfortable with. I am still learning the Vernon routine.

Find a copy of The Mark Wilson Chop Cup Book; many great routines are there.

Take care,
Bruce

Eddie, what are you going to do now at the restaurant, one cup or three? I like the regular three cups, but one Chop cup sure is easy to use.

I never did a 3 cup routine, I used to finish wih a 2 cup routine. I went back to it after the chop cup because I lost the chopped ball. I need to get a new one... a bunch of new ones. When I do I'm going to ru out the chop cup routine some more.