...is a Sankey bit. He does this with a tear in a card. It's called "Nomad." He also does the move with an e-mail address. He calls that "Hotmail."

For restaurant work, ask the patron to write down, let's say, their fave dinner item on the menu on one playing card, then write their favorite dessert on another card. With Sankey's move on his "Firestarters" DVD, you can make their writing visibly move from one card to the next. You "wipe it" from one card to the next.

So that, in the end, you hand them one card -- which, on the face still has their first food choice and now, also, on the back contains their dessert choice -- because you "wiped it" there.

I haven't explained it well, but it's an eye-popper. When doing the move, always remember: never move the card you're wiping, if you know what I mean. And, seriously, check this out because it's a quick and startling opener.

fib

How did you like the DVD over all?
A lot of useful stuff?

This sounds like Tatto You by John Bannon.

Sorry, I don't know the Bannon effect.

As for "Firestarters," it's very clever. Oh, the critics say Sankey uses sleights he's shown on previous DVD's and just uses old moves to create new effects. The critics are right. But the critics are into sleights, perhaps, and not real-world performing. Sankey's into performing. He's a smart cookie.

At his best, he develops and shares new THEATRICAL PREMISES AND APPROACHES that work -- that capture the minds of spectators and take them on a wild ride. I particularly like his quickies...one after another, you can build to a terrific climax -- a final killer -- and have a great routine.

For instance, do a bill switch into an ATM receipt with your name on it, showing you've just deposited their money into your account. [This is my approach to his "Fan Mail" trick."]

Continue with something he calls "Hotlink" from Firestarters, which I referenced above.

Then, onto "Paperclipped," where their signed card is the same as the one you have paperclipped on the table. Then uncap the marker they used to sign that card, and inside the cap -- they pull it out -- is their original dollar -- the one you started the routine with [This is from Sankey's friend Richard Sanders' "Assassin" video of about -- what -- seven years ago?].

All in all, That's a :45 to :60 routine. On the street, in a restaurant, at a party -- you do that -- and that's all you need. But be prepared -- because you'll hear cries of "Do more!"

Best, fib

Gregory Wilson has two great openers, one using a glass, and one with bounce-no-bounce balls. Forgot what DVD they are on..

I don't know that this constitutes a typical openner for me, which must be:

Quick
Magical almost immediatly
Non-cards

Just my opinion! (I have used similar effect in the middle of sets)

What do you like to open with?

Best, fib

The perfect opener is a letter opener. ha ha ha.
just kidding. it's a bottle opener.

no. just kidding again.
it's the trick I feel most comfortable doing when I approach,
regardless of anything else.

in fact, it's the exact opposite of bsears.

my opener is not quick, not magical immediately, and is cards.

though I was thinking of switching to an "all sankey, all the time" act.

So, fib... why is this effect the perfect opener for you?
What about it makes you want to do it first?

Thanks for asking, Frank.
At a restaurant, people usually like to order quickly -- not necessarily want to be entertained if they're especially hungry. So I ask them to write down their drink and appetizer with a marker on a face-up playing card... then on another card, the back this time, I write another patron's choices.

After a quick swipe -- a new "technology" or something, I say -- both orders end up on the same card -- front and back. Expedites the orders, I say, and I remind them the establishment is environmentally-friendly. We don't waste paper, ma'am. thanks, fib

That actually sounds like a hokey presentation. Maybe not.
But you could incorporate an attitude of "not-so-serious" into a card reading...holding a card they chose -- and etched on -- to represent the past and another they picked -- likewise marked -- to represent the future..and you bring past and future together, front and back. Something like that.
fib

After working at least 5 nights a week in bars and restaurants for several years I can tell you the way to go for me.

Either make them laugh or gasp within the first 30 seconds.

I can't imagine going into a poker deal or a long card effect. Then again, that's just me.

Some of the places I've performed in are loud so it's hard to get people to pay attention AT ALL let alone after talking for 5 minutes.

All the best,

Nathan

Nate knows his stuff.

I totally agree it is very hard to get attention in noisy places ,
I have what I call my quickfire stuff for those situations

Nathan makes a good point about the first thirty seconds.

The problem with cards in this effect is IMO that it takes to long to get to the magic, so the audience has no idea if you are any good or if you are just going to do the same lame card trick that uncle larry does.

I few open with:

bounce/no-bounce
purse frame
rubberbands
coins (production, flurry, etc)
sponges

Like I said - this card effect could be great, but would be more of a middle trick for me.

Me neither.

Good.

All the best,

Kranzo

Hello,
The opener that I always choose to perform is the "Quantum Bender". I approach the table with a quarter in hand and ask "Do you like money?" They say "yes", then I hand someone the quarter to sign saying "This is a gift for you". It quickly generates interest, & is a great "Ice breaker". If someone at the table tries to be funny by saying "No, I don't like money", then I'll say "ok, then I'll have to skip you today", everyone at the table laughs, & someone will always their hand outstretched, willing to take the quarter. Then I do the effect & give the bent souvenir to someone to keep while saying "this is now a lucky coin, if you keep it, it will bring good luck". This does several things besides being a great "Ice breaker". It is an extremely strong effect that establishes your credibility, creates desire to see more magic, they like you because you gave a gift, not just of money, but also of "good luck". Also all of the effects that follow are now strengthened because the audience knows that you are an expert in providing professional entertainment. Also, when your all done, the tips will flow very generously! It might sound crazy to walk around giving away free quarters, but trust me, it all comes back a thousand fold! In great tips, a great reputation, & many, many repeat bookings! Also, when I hand them a business card I say, "this is so you may remember where you got the lucky coin"! It doesn't come across as "Hey, book me". I hope this helps. It's always been great for me, I've done it this way thousands of times, and always with great success.

That's fantastic John! What a great way to approach people. Give them money. Who can say no to that?

All the best,

Kranzo

I'm a big fan of approaching a table with the purse frame and sponges. Second favorite is a bill switch routine. Both tricks happen rather quickly and grab the attention of the patrons.

I really like Chicago Suprise, by Whit Haydn (cards). I feel very comfortable doing it. It is not hard for me to do it as I have done it a million times and none of the moves are too extraneous. It is magical, suprising, gets lots of laughs, they want to see more, and the magic happens early on in the performance.