I'm new to magic and I'm always surprised when I manage to use misdirestion and it works. This is pretty much all the time because I'm extremely paranoid about flashing or getting busted, so I practice what tricks I do know to death. That way I have less of a chance of messing up during critical phases of the trick. Still, I am amazed by this aspect of our craft and love to watch it unfold.

A really cool trick that uses misdirection is called Easy Aces. It's in the Bob Longe book, World's Best Card Tricks. He tells you that you won't believe it will work, it's so easy. You don't think it will work, it's so easy. It does work, and it's easy. This trick works for me every time and has been a real confidence booster. It is also a really good trick that impresses people. I go through it slowly and tell people I'm new to magic and have been practicing sleight of hand, but I'm not very good at it yet, which is true. I go on to reinforce that all the moves I'm making are right in front of them and nothing "tricky" has happened. The misdirection is built into the trick and is so good! Try this one out for building your confidence and to get an idea of what good misdirection is when it's part of the trick. You can probably get the book from the library. Hope this helps!

Be blessed!

There is one particular trick called Magic Ranch in Visions of Wonder that can be used to practice misdirection. The really nice thing about it is that misdirection isn't the key to the effect -- if they catch you, it's alright, since it doesn't explain the final climax, and if they don't catch you, it's an extra effect.

Did anyone here see that youtube video of the kids playing basketball and the instructions were to count how many passes are made?

Misdirection

here is one of those video anyhow (there are a few that are better...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkn3wRyb9Bk&NR=1

here's another:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4&feature=related

I loved Tommy Wonder's style, he had such a great way of luring you in close, and taking you for a ride.