Now I don't want to be a Blaine clone, but I really like just going up to people and asking them if they want to see some magic. I don't care about getting paid right now, I wan't to get experience performing for strangers before I even start thinking abou that. So I was wondering, can any of you recomend any good card effects, or really any kind of effect I can do standing up? Here is my list of effects I have that blaine does NOT do: Red hot mamma, Lethal Tender, The M5 System, pen thru dollar, and the web. I have many other effects but either they have been done by blaine already, or you need a table to perform them(i.e. Reset). I would really apreciate your help!

I just want to say, after reading my post it sounds like all I do is gimmicks, I have very many sleight of hand effets also, it's just most of them cant be done standing up. The ones I can do are: 2 card monte red hot mamma and out of sight out of mind. And am working on an ambitious card routine. If you could recommend any good card effects I can do standing up Please do.

Work on developing a good ambitious card routine. The methods can be varied and you'll be able to practice almost any sleight you'll ever need by doing this one trick and all it's variations. From there you can springboard to other effects, but this will be a good foundation and a great stand up effect to boot.

Steven

I have been getting into Ring and String magic. The string takes up very little pocket space, and you can borrow a spectator's ring, making that much more powerful.

Also, get Bobo's Modern Coin Magic. There is so much good stuff there.

Lots of tricks can be adapted from using a table to in the spectators hands, provided they are not counting card tricks they go down very well!

I use the spectators hands as a table most of the time and it seems the magic happens in their hands.

Just ask the spectator to cup both hands and deal or place the card or cards in the join between their palms, they are then less likely to try and turn the cards over!

I love to perform a sponge ball routine to people. You can walk up, show them a ball and then make it disappear. After that they are usually hooked, and you can do the rest of the routine, most of which is in the spectators hands. I adapted my routine from Mark Wilson's Encyclopedia of Magic.

It gets a great response, and I agree, it is fun just to walk up to people and perform some magic just for the experience it gives you and the experience it gives them!

Have fun,
Chad

Are Spongeballs a good trick? I dunno, they never really fit my style but I might be suprised. I heard girls like them though. Do they have books on sponge ball magic? Wich one is the best? Thanx for all the help guys!

Their are many books. I learned my first routine from mark wilsons. you may also want to check out the 25 tricks with sponge balls video sold at most magic shops

Sponge balls kill. I didn't I ever use them either. But one night when I was working a cocktail party several years ago, I was on a roll, but running out of material. I happen to have a set of SB's on me and just desided to use them on a lady that was a real screamer. It turned out to be the best bit I did that night. Since then, I don't leave home without them - they always get a good response. The Mark Wilson course has a great basic routine - start there. Then check out Brad Burts Video on the subject.

Spongeballs are a terrific effect! There's a ton of variations but I can get 5 minutes of solid entertainment out of some spongeballs and a purse frame. When you consider the price of the props vs the amount of magic you can squeeze (no pun intended) out of them you can't not add a spongeball routine to your repertoire.

I know you asked about stand up card effects, TheNightBringer89, but you might also want to look at Gregory Wilson's two DVDs "Off The Cuff" and "On The Spot". From what you've described, it sounds like the material you would find on those disks would suit your style well.

I have to say that spongeballs are a great effect and you don't have to be superprecise with your sleights as they are a 'forgiving' medium (of course, you still can't be sloppy). I do a little street work and the simple highly visual sponge stuff is often better received than far more skilful effects and flourishes. All the laymen are blown away by them. I wouldn't walk on to a street without some sponge stuff.

Try it once and you'll be hooked.