Most pickpockets have at least one faux pick pocketing routine or concept in their act. These include magic themed around pick pocketing, fake or stooged pick pocketing or gags with a pickpocketing flavour. I've made a list of ones I have seen used in the past and would love any additions you might have.

Miser's Dream: Coins appear from various places on person
Cards Across: A certain number of cards vanish from one spectator's pocket into another.
20th Century Underpants: Underpants appears between two silks stuffed into man's pants
The Bra Trick: Bra appears between two silks stuffed into woman's top
Time Bandit: Your watch appears on spectator's wrist.
Hankie Reel: A silk on a reel shoots you put in spectator's pocket flies into your pocket without them noticing.
Knife Through Jacket: Performer explains how to 'steal' silverware and accidentally destroys jacket.
Cigarette Through Jacket: See above
Card To Wallet: Credit or playing card appears in wallet in spectator's pocket.
Shirt Pull: Performer steals shirt of audience member's back
Vest Pull: See above.
Cut and Restored Tie: Tie is cut off spectator and restored.

Hey Mate.

Good topic post...

If I think of any I will let you know.

JaY-JaY

Back Loads: Any of the comedy effects that involve putting something on the spectator's back.
Tie Through Body: Henry Evan's card stab routine where a tie passes through your body stabbing two selected cards.
The Australian Belt: A version of fast and loose using a belt.
The Broken Belt Loop: Break and restore the loop of someone's belt.
Sponge Balls: "Stealing" sponges from a spectator's hand or pocket.

Headchopper - they are bent down and can not move and only look straight ahead of them.
Mugged by Rich Marotta - works very well my/a pickpocketing act.

I think you have thought of all the ideas.

JaY-JaY

The late great Tommy Wonder's version of the Watch, Wallet and Ring is also worth a look.

I had a funny 'faux' moment the other night. I was stealing a guys wallet and I could tell he had busted me. I gave him a wink and he gave me a little smirk as if to say "I busted you and I'm going to tell the world"

So when I gave him back the wallet I said "There is your wallet back! And so you don't feel bad, I'm happy for you to tell everyone that you knew what was going on the WHOLE time!"

Later, he couldn't convince people that he felt it!

Nice Nice...

A little word play...I read this somewhere else with another trick. From what I remember, you get someones dollar note and then when they are about to leave the stage, you say "I am going to hynotize you that you will tell everyone that this bill is really mine."

I am sure you can work out the rest.

Show me some video of your pickpocketing some time too.

Sure! Look for videos where the pickpocket is fumbling awkardly, bumping in the spectator and getting caught again and again and again and you'll see me!

Most of my pickpocket work is basic jacket work and nothing to write home about,

Power pickpocket(sponge wallet)
Pen gift
Vacuum cleaner
etc......

Phoney Magnet: A giant magnet that 'steals' mobile phones
Coin Magnet: Same as above but with coins
Credit Card Fraud: Remove the black strip from the credit card.

Quick idea...
Steal an item from a spectator.
Load it in a dust buster.
Use the vacuum cleaner to 'steal' from them.
Open vacuum and reveal item.

Do you do any preshow work? Who do you ask and how do you get them "on your side"?

Many thanks for your insights.

Roland
http://www.Danceofillusion.com

I actually found that Power Pickpocket thing online a while ago if anyone is interested. It's actually made by Goshman (and Burgoon) and you can find it here:

http://www.penguinmagic.com/specialorderproduct.php?ID=6755

... and I'm not affiliated with them... I'm just letting people know where they can get it.

Sam Weiss

I had quite the good experience today.

I jokingly bumped into a friend and very poorly grabbed at his wallet, so blatantly that he just stood there looking at me in silent disapproval.

I looked him straight in the eye, and smiled.

he stared at me for a second, I kept smiling, he looked confused, and then from my smile he assumed I had just put his wallet back.

he asked when I took it, I lied and said about an hour ago.. he said Dammit! stop taking my wallet!

Everyone around was very impressed, even though I never took the wallet. He was convinced that the reason he felt it was because I was putting it back.

I silently laughed and felt very good.

A few years back I bought the Power (Goshman Sponge) Wallet and sold it immediately. I would much prefer to use a real leather wallet --one that is a bit smaller and less thicker (more pliable) than the standard size wallet. One made of very soft leather. In fact, you can easily fold such a real wallet in half to palm it in prep for production.

Just my 3 cents

Actually, I prefer to steal (and return) the real wallet of my volunteer, but having a spare to load and pull out is never a bad idea.

Walt Hudson’s Book is a gem in my opinion if you can find it. “Hey, That’s My Wallet” is the name of the book. All about a pseudo pickpocketing act.