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herrenl New user switzerland 29 Posts |
Hi!
what are in your opinion the best card routines for table hopping. usually I startet with an ambitious card routine but I think it would be better to start with a little, fast and very strong effect. with ac there is too much time at the beginning (in my routine) where I talk and nothing magical is happening. thanks for your point of views! have a magical day: larry |
Sergey Smirnov New user Belgium 70 Posts |
I think a simple divination of a chosen card with a fancy pop out move is a good starter. I usually apply a convincing control, dribble or riffle the cards, point with my finger at some point in the air, and in a second the card is there at my fingertips. Quick and to the point.
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JSBLOOM Inner circle 2024 Posts |
Check out Bill Malones DVD, the effect is "think , touch and turn!'
In short, he says he'll play agame. A card is selected, then lost and four other cards are removed. He has spectator name any one of the four and magi states he'll make the card turn over 3 times so fast the spectator will not catch him even once. If they do, magi will find their card. Needless to say, the card does seem to turn over underimpossible conditions and then the card they named turns into their card! |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Ok any trick card or otherwise with a lot of things happening and little magic is to be avioded in close up if you ask me. I don't care what the payoff is if you lose them along the way, forget the trick.
I like fast visual things in general. Color changing deck is a great one to start with. I use the routine from Harry Lorrayne's Magic Book. Very fast and very visual. Save the long drawn out tricks for the magic clubs. Do the fast visual stuff for people.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
mackmania Regular user Orange County 137 Posts |
A fast color changing deck is what I usually start with. After a "display" of the cards being blue, I have the spectator choose a card. After it has been chosen I exclaim I won't be able to use that card. They ask why and I fan the deck next to my face, a different back color. I love this routine, although I'm not sure who originated it. It most likely goes back to Vernon's routine or perhaps even further. I also sometimes use Sankey's Diehard Opener which can be found on The Very Best of Jay Sankey Volume One. The DVD is produced by L & L Publishing.
Cheers, mackmania
"For those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not, none will suffice." ---Joseph "the Amazing" Dunninger
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karbonkid Special user 951 Posts |
I reccommend Larry Jennings opener...I think termed 'Jennings Opener' which is nice, and Sankey does a very similar effect, I also believed termed 'Sankey's Opener'...both are quick and entertaining, and require very little sleight of hand.
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wsduncan Inner circle Seattle, WA 3619 Posts |
Larry,
No less an authority on working close up at the tables than Michael Close mentions that when he starts a show he DOES NOT dive right in with a trick, but rather he has a few lines and gags that he uses to introduce himself and let the audience get to know him. I think that that bit of advice is perhaps what makes him one of the better performers of close up magic. Of course, we’re not all as funny or charming as Close can be with an audience so maybe the best compromise would be to think of how you’d like the audience to feel about YOU and create a short trick that focuses on creating that impression. Maybe something like this: You come up to the table, bend over and pick up a spoon from the floor and ask if someone had dropped a spoon. Then change it into a fork and repeat the question. Put the fork in your pocket as you explain that that is “why they won’t let me help with the orders… the fish keeps changing to cake. The cakes turn into napkins… it’s a problem. By the way, I’m Larry and the management has hired me to entertain our customers while they’re waiting for their meal. How am I doing so far?” A short nothing trick, that’s very surprising, and a mild joke which will hopefully create the good will you want and a desire to see more. You will, of course, know a better trick and joke, to sell YOU. But the idea can be adapted to a lot of different things. Does that help? |
scorch Inner circle 1480 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-02-23 10:19, mackmania wrote: I always felt that opening with a color changing deck was a weak choice. Much better to close with such an effect, after they've seen you working with a deck of one color throughout the routine. It usually requires a switch but it is so much more effective. Opening with a color changing deck leads to all sorts of (often correct) guesses as to how the illusion of the other color was created. Closing with it leads to jaws dropping onto the floor. David Williamson's Funner Color Stunner is my current favorite color changing effect. It's the most evolved in the hands color triumph currently out there. |
NeoMagic Inner circle I have... 2017 Posts |
Start with something where they can just relax, sit back, watch and not have to get involved. An ACR where they have to pick a card, sign it (presumably), insert it back into the deck at various points of the routine (depending on how you work it) wouldn't be my first choice. And if Malini is to be believed, don't start with a card trick! I like wsduncan's earlier suggestion.
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Michael J. Douglas Inner circle WV, USA 1645 Posts |
I learned an opening from Bobby Gallo that's basically the same as wsduncan's suggestion, but uses a color-changing knife. "Excuse me, did you happen to lose a little white knife? No, how about a red one?"
I always thought, "What if he/she's says it IS their knife?" Then I would say, "Oh, then it must not be this one. It's red!" The latter situation let's you know who's a jerk and you don't need to spend much more time at that table.
Michael J.
�Believe then, if you please, that I can do strange things.� --from Shakespeare�s �As You Like It� |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I have never been a fan of the "suprise its magic" approach.
Not everyone wants to see magic, why force it on them? I also feel that the firt trick HAS to engage them. You have less than 30 seconds to get their attention. If not then the rest of the performance is going to go tough. Engage them one way or the other.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Christopher Williams Inner circle Portsmouth, UK 4464 Posts |
Agree with some of the posts. don't open with cards IMO, and that is MO, and obviously some other peoples. I tend to open with colour changing knives. Its a bit more casual, and easier to approach a table that way. It can also be a bit more startling. If you go up and say'Excuse me, have you dropped a white knife', as soon as they say no, they will lose interest, immediately you change it and say 'Black one?'. This grabs their attention and you can go into an entertaining colour changing knives routine. colour changing knives routines aren't that long anyway, and is a more logical excuse to approach a table.
Another way I used to approach tables, which I use a lot around Christmas time, is with Chocolate money. And I casually just walk by the table, stop, make it look like I'm picking something off the floor and say' Someone dropped this' Just for a moment, they think its money. Money grabs everyones attention, especially the Ladies!!! Then false transfer it and say'Here you go' and pretend to give it to someone. As I do, I put my hand on their shoulder as a friendly gesture and say 'Have a good evening', and I leave the chocolate money on their shoulder'. My hand gets opened and they see its vanished. As soon as I loaded the money onto their shoulder I step away, it is all 1 quick thing of, 'Here you go, have a good evening'. As I'm walking away, they're like 'Where is it' Most people can see its on their shoulder and I let them see its there as I stand and let them take it off. If you want at this point you could go into a spellbound as chocolate money comes in gold and silver colours. This is a nice little give away a well, and has warmed them to your friendly charms already. I urge you to try some of these ideas if possible as they have served me well |
jcigam Special user Bellevue, Nebraska 512 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-02-23 18:22, Dannydoyle wrote: I have to agree with Dannydoyle on this. I know for some the color changing knife is the end-all be-all of magical approaches but, I personally would never approach a table like this. My approach is like that of some of the other posters as well as the way Michael Close describes approaching a table. I like to introduce myself and let them know what they are in for. I always use some witty intro lines and move on from there. In 10 years of off-and-on performing strolling magic less than a dozen tables/people have ever told me they weren't interested in watching magic; however, I have NEVER had a complaint from a customer about anything in regards to me or my performing. My job as an entertainer is to make their experience more pleasant and if that means welcoming them to the establishment and moving on (always with a pleasant attitude) then so be it. As far as a great effect, I have always been fond of any of the Chicago Opener type effects (there are several versions). Jered S.
"The mind has exactly the same power as the hand, not merely to grasp the world, but to change it."
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Well to be way off topic and clarify I guess, I never approach a table cold. They request me.
My opener is a chop cup, then sponges then cards. So I too do not open with cards. The first card trick I do is the color changing deck.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Magiguy Inner circle Seattle, WA 5467 Posts |
I like Bill Duncan's suggestion (and Close truly is the master of table hopping, in my book). Instead of spoon to fork, perhaps a fork to spoon followed by a little spoon bending a la David Williamson (sticking with the humor). Incidentally, if you are unfamiliar with the Michael Close reference be sure to check out his Workers series, or perhaps his Closely Guarded Secrets. Overall, the forum members have given some great suggestions here.
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Magicmaven Inner circle 1235 Posts |
Chicago suprise.
Rising card. card to wallet.
rmaxgoodwin.com
https://rmaxgoodwin.com/ |
herrenl New user switzerland 29 Posts |
Thanks a lot for your suggestions! it is very interessting to read all the different opinions about table approaches. I also think (like some of you) that it is good to approach with a question, so you see how their reaction will be. what I would not do is ask if they want to see some magic because with this question you gives them the possibility to say "no" even before you had the opportunity to show them how good you are - probably they would like it...
what I also believe is, that it is quite a different thing if you do magic in a restaurant in middle of europe or in the states - people just tend to react different. I have never performed in america but when I see how the reaction is on some dvds - we are probably not so open to let us entertain here. we just think, o.k that was nice (how did he do that? oh, he can do something that I do not know how) but we do not scream or so... I already read the magic menue from jim sisti and books from jim pace - what else do you reccommend for table hopping? have a wonderful day! larry |
steve j Special user Long Island, New York 559 Posts |
Normally I do start with the ambitious card however if I wanted to do something fast I normally use a trick with the top shot as the revelation.
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