Make the Ghost Balls Routine More Visual

You’re doing a sponge ball routine and everything is red. It’s hard for people to track which ball is in which hand. When you finally produce a large ball at the end, it feels a bit random—like it doesn't belong to the rest of the trick.

This lesson shows you how to fix that using color. By adding a single green ball to the mix, you create high contrast. This makes your moves look cleaner because the audience can clearly see exactly where each ball is. You'll also learn how to transition into a finale with yellow stars that feels like a natural part of the story, not just a surprise for the sake of it.

What You'll Learn

Xulio breaks down the exact setup he’s used for nearly a decade. You'll learn how to manage multiple balls in your pockets so you can load them without fumbling. He explains the "3,2 display," which uses color to make it obvious you're holding two balls when you want the audience to be sure of the count.

The core of this lesson is the "Big Deal" change. This is a 3-for-2 switch that lets you secretly swap three stars for two balls while the spectator is focused on the "essence" of the magic. It’s a smooth way to get ahead of the audience so you're always one step ready for the next reveal.

About Xulio Merino

Xulio Merino is the magician who fooled Penn & Teller with sponge balls. He's known for taking simple props and creating original techniques that even pros haven't seen before. He’s spent over eight years performing this specific version of Ghost Balls in his professional sets.

Techniques and Moves Included

• How to load your pockets for the Ghost Balls routine
• The "3,2 display" for high-contrast counts
• Using color to enhance the "Always 3" phase
• The "Big Deal" 3-for-2 switch
• How to handle and palm sponge stars
• The "Super Sale" change for smooth transitions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need special props for this?
You’ll need standard red and green sponge balls, plus three sponge stars. If you don't have stars, you can use any other contrasting sponge shape or color.

Is this harder than the standard Ghost Balls?
The moves aren't much harder, but you do have more to manage in your pockets. If you can do a basic sponge ball routine, you can learn this.

What skill level is this for?
This is for intermediate students. If you’ve finished the basic sponge ball courses, this is the perfect next step to make your magic look more professional.

How long does it take to learn the "Big Deal" change?
The mechanics are simple, but you'll want to practice the timing for about an hour to make sure the switch is invisible.