the topic says it all. i've bought a few tricks and things, but some of them the explanations seem a little bit hard.

i have a Svengali deck, stripper deck, rope and ring routine booklet, and elastrix book. i've got the hang of crazy man's handcuff, but i'm really stuck on Torn and Restored Bands, so could some1 help me with some pointers or PM me with more detailed info? also i'd like to know wot CMH is, thanx in advanced!

Before you start out in magic, you need to pick a branch (a.k.a. card, coin, escapes, whatever you like) and stick with it. Most magic shops carry beginners tricks for those just starting out in magic. Pick a field, decide what you want to buy and then make sure the trick is absolutely what you want. Oh, and don't underestimate the great value of books and videos, not just tricks. You may want to join I.B.M. or S.A.M, both are great magic organizations that hold meetings either weekly or monthly. Check out their list of countries to see if you're in one where an organization exists.

CMH is crazy man's handcuffs, which you mention earlier.
Try your local library for magic books that will give you basic sleights to work on.
Don't try to do too much all at once; pace yourself.
Everybody had to start somewhere; after all, nobody was born knowing this stuff!

I don’t totally agree with Ace here. I don’t think that just starting out that you should focus on one sub-field or branch of magic (cards, coins, escapes, etc.). You may grow into specializing in one branch in time but just starting out you probably haven’t a clue what you want to do beyond learning magic to entertain some friends. Being a "generalists" is a far better start and will offer you more in terms of being able to entertain and perform the odd show.

I would recommend that you focus on who you want to perform for and think in terms of building interesting, entertaining, and magical acts. That is think in sets of tricks/effects strung together that have a beginning, middle, and end.

If you are mainly going to perform for family and friends and maybe the odd party or two then think of close-up types of tricks.

An act should have a nice variety of effects. Perhaps you could learn a strong card trick or two (and no more) you already have a couple of trick decks, a coin/money trick or two, and a novelty trick (that is a trick using an interesting prop, like a ring on string/stick/ring flight, or a Chop Cup/Jiggernaught/Cups and Balls, or color changing knives/Jumping Gems/Hot Rod or even rubber bands –which you are already mastering… you get the idea).

Build on what you already have and create a good, solid act. It doesn’t take a ton of magic tricks to entertain an audience.

Hope this helps a little.

I agree with Harry. Until you've tried different kinds of effects you don't really want to limit yourself by just doing one kind of thing. Besides, your audiences will enjoy the variety of seeing different kinds of props.
By all means learn to do a good "paddle move" routine. Color changing knives, perhaps. It's not a very difficult sleight to master and so many ingenious uses for it have been devised over the years.
Many feel that doing a good cups and balls routine is a solid backbone for doing close up magic generally. You might want to start with a chop cup first, because the mechanical nature of the cup means you can do some nice routines without much sleight of hand.
And finally, Harry is also right on about books. For the price of one trick you might be able to pick up 3 or 4 books or booklets. there is so much GREAT magic that can be done with just a few inexpensive props. And, some of the older books are available used, on this forum, ebay, etc.
Good luck. Magic is a fascinating and wonderous art/craft. But be careful. You may get "hooked" as most of us are and it will become a lifetime obsession. But, as obsessions go, it's a benign one. I've been passionate about magic since a little before 1950. And, I still get excited when a package arrives in the mail with a new book, video, or prop. I've met and befriended some of the nicest people on the planet. And when I travel, if I happen to be in a new city, I just contact the local magicians and suddenly there are new friends just waiting to "session" and take you out to dinner and open up their guest rooms to you.
Dennis Loomis
http://www.mindspring.com/~deloomis/dai.html

I'm a beginner too, and I agree with Harry and Dennis. Try a few different things until you figure out what works for you and your audience. Then you might decide to focus on one particular area.

I started with vanishing silk, dime and Penny, a stripper deck, and some IT. I like these because I can do effects that don't look like I am showing up with props. This fits my audience of friends, family and co-workers.

The exception to this is the stripper deck, since most people don't carry a deck of cards with them. But I keep this one laying around the house and use it when people come over.

Have fun!

I didn't mean stain should limit himself to one branch for his entire career. I meant he should stick to one branch for about a week or so, then if he doesn't like it he can move on to the next branch he wants to try. It's simply a methodical way of finding out what you like, instead of trying everything all at once. Sorry for any confusion.