How to Perform the Bottoms Up Magic Trick
By 1ST playing cards | Published: 2026-10-18
Category: How-to Guides
Learn the key steps to perform the Bottoms Up magic trick by Tobias Dostal. This guide covers setup, handling, and common mistakes for a clean bottle vanish.
Quick Answer
The Bottoms Up magic trick by Tobias Dostal uses precision gimmicks to create a visual vanishing bottle effect. This guide breaks down the setup, performance flow, and common mistakes so you can perform it cleanly.
What Makes Bottoms Up Different
Unlike a single-gimmick bottle trick, Bottoms Up comes with three precision-made gimmicks that let you perform multiple effects, including a vanishing bottle and a self-bending bottle. This means you can adapt the same props to different routines without buying separate tricks.
Because the gimmicks are designed for off-the-cuff magic, the learning curve is about handling and timing rather than complex sleight of hand. However, the multiple gimmicks also mean you need to keep track of which one is in play during a routine.
Step-by-Step Performance Guide
- Set Up the Gimmick: Remove the bottle and the gimmick from the packaging. Attach the correct gimmick to the bottle according to the included instructions. Make sure it clicks or locks into place securely. A loose gimmick can cause the bottle to fall or the effect to fail mid-performance.
- Practice the Grip and Angle: Hold the bottle naturally in your performing hand. The gimmick should be hidden from the audience's view by your fingers or the bottle itself. Practice turning the bottle slowly to find the angle that conceals the gimmick. If you can see the gimmick in a mirror, the audience will see it too.
- Execute the Vanishing Motion: With the bottle in position, use your other hand to cover or tap the bottle as a misdirection. Simultaneously, activate the gimmick by pressing the hidden trigger or sliding the mechanism. The bottle should appear to vanish or shrink instantly. Don't rush the misdirection—a sudden movement draws attention to the hand holding the gimmick.
- Clean Up and Show Empty Hands: After the vanish, keep your hands still for a moment to let the effect sink in. Then, casually show both hands empty by turning them over slowly. Do not grab or adjust the gimmick immediately. Grabbing the gimmick too soon makes a noise or reveals it; wait until the audience looks away.
Product Facts
- Tobias Dostal's Bottoms up: Comes with three precision-made gimmicks for effects like vanishing bottle and self-bending bottle. You get multiple routines from one purchase, which saves money and gives you variety without learning new props each time.
Tobias Dostal's Bottoms up
