Best Close Up Pad
January 22, 2012 
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A Close up Pad like none other
The Coin Magic Tricks Blog is proud to announce a new line of custom, hand crafted close up pads. Master craftsman, Ben Zottolo, has been crafting close up pads and close up mats for the magic fraternity for years and has partnered with our website to launch a full line of close up pads.
Ben Zottolo is a master woodworker and craftsman. Ben is a member of the National Guild of Decoupage, Woodworkers Guild and the Woodcarvers Guild. He combines his passion for magic and woodworking to create the best close up pad I’ve ever seen. These mats are the perfect working surface to perform or practice. The Zottolo pad is made of an ultra plush velvet material.
This line of close up pads are hard backed with wood and have four pegs that acts as feet for your performing surface. The key differentiator with the Zottolo pad versus other close up pad surfaces is the material and quality construction. Ben spares no expense on finding the best velvet material for the close up pad. I’ve worked with other close up pads that feel like a computer mouse pad, yet the Zottolo close up pad has a feel and softness to it that is simply a pleasure to perform on.
Your shell coins will separate beautifully without fear of snagging (unlike other pads). Ribbon spreads cascade easily across the velvet surface.
Ben has issues several different types of close up pads although is featured close up pad is the large Zottolo close up pad.
To all fellow close-up magicians:
Several years ago, I was fortunate to be able to buy, what at that time, was a very limited edition Expert Close-Up Pad from THE Benz. Several friends had purchased these pads and referred to them as the Rolls-Royce or MontBlanc of magician’s mats. The quality is superb and there’s no doubt, these hand crafted close-up pads look as if they belong on the counters of Tiffanys for displaying valuable jewelry to wealthy clients. Have already ordered the new “hold-out version” … and no, I will not be selling my original pad!
Thanks, Ben, for helping look like a real table illusionist. – John Oleson
Large Zottolo Close Up Pad
The large Zottolo Close Up Pad has several gimmicks built into the pad that add more mystery and entertainment to your performing repertoire.
- Four Coin Hold OutsThe large Zottolo Close Up Pad has 4 coin holdouts that come in dollar or half dollar sizes. The hold outs are the perfect steal for a coin production following a four card routine.
- Jumbo Coin Hold OutThe Jumbo Coin Hold Out is another useful utility that can be added to close any coin matrix or four ace assembly. I saw Ronnie Cee perform this years ago at my first Michigan Magic Day. The appearance of the jumbo coin from a close up pad was impressive! The Zottolo pad makes this little miracle that much easier.
- Stack Hold OutThe Zottolo pad comes with a stack holdout that holds your own secret stack of cards. The spectator can shuffle the cards and as you ribbon spread them, you can steal and add the stack to the spread. Four Ace productions and stack effects become more amazing after the spectator shuffles the cards.
- Built In SqueakerThe built in squeaker is my favorite part of the Zottolo close up pad. A coin can be turned eagle side up and you can “hear the birdie squeak”. You can put a “dead” squeaker on the pad, it will squeak and the spectator can pick it up and it won’t work. All with no palming!
Order a Close Up Pad
The Close Up Pad comes in a variety of colors and sizes. If you’re looking for a quality practice pad that sits well on your lap, check out the smaller close up pad with or without the brass corners. Colors are available in Wine, poker table green or traditional black.
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