What do you guys like to use for your opener? And what sort of things for different situations? For example a casual performance, a paid gig etc. If I have missed a previous thread on this please point me towards it

This has been discussed a lot. Here's what my favorite search engine found:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=openers+site%3Athemagiccafe.com

Personally, I've got a lot of mileage out of Bill Abbott's Five-Card Opener.

Good luck.

I usually always open my kids shows with my [mako tendo] appearing cane.

Six Card Repeat

Any short punchy Rope Routine

The venue doesn't matter...Look for:

1- Routines you could drunk you know them so well

2- Routines that do not use a spectator

3- Routine that has a solid punch and effect: You want to establish yourself as a pro right off. Not some guy who stumbles through his magic barely knowing what he's doing. If you haven't done a lot of shows? THIS first routine should be close to the best you do as far as 'how well' you do it. You 'know' it, etc.

That's it: Get them on YOUR side by giving them something good right off. Don't dilute YOU by starting with a trick that uses some one from the audience. Do NOT screw up this first trick. If they like you right off you can do almost anything after and you are safe.

Best,

Crazy man's handcuffs.

THIS (Improved) with a huge Line of Silks production.

I do a lot with card so I do the chicago opener (seen from Daryl) but I am an amateur. When people ask me to perform something with card and I see them interest I perform the Couè Test (Card College V1), which is easy to do, strong, and because I'm an amateur and it's the first effect people believe I've really done the trick wrong and so the surprise is bigger

With cards, it's Rise And Swap, Topsy-Turvy Cards or HaLo Aces

For general stuff, I use D-Lites to get people's attention or I' do a sponge ball routine or two without a spectator. That usually attracts everyone. Then once I have everyone's full attention I'll do a routine with a spectator.

I most often open with my own HaLo Aces also, metaljohn. That sure is an attention grabber.

In close up situations I will often start off with my own Ambitious Card routine.

Anything with flash paper to capture audiences attention

I like coins across as an opener. It has multiple phases so I have plenty of time to become familiar with how those around the table react to magical moments. This enables me to key in on those individuals who have the most visual reactions to assist with the subsequent two tricks. I also like that it ends with the magic occurring in the spectators hands. Finally, at each phase the spectators hold the coins during some point which implies that I use "regular items". But most importantly, I really enjoy this effect and I think the spectators pick up on that.

1. 'Thompson's Aces' followed by (my slightly different handling of) the 'Quick Change Artists' both from Card College vol. 5. and my handling of 'A Story Of Crime' by Theo Annemann.

2. 'Oil & Queens' (Complete Roy Walton vol. 1), foloowed by a few more packet tricks using ordinary cards.

3. Colombini's 'Pyramid' followed by Peter Marucci's 'Tomb of the Pharaoah' and then 'The Magus Card' from Card College vol. 1

mlippo

I also open with the appearing cane. Really gets their attention! On large audiences of kids, I open with the Measle Teasle wand.

Jim

Stage show or palour is use a appearing cane then go in to a rope routine.
Busking door shows I use purse frame with sponge ball.
close up gigs I use purse frame again but with either sponge ball/coins or bottle caps.

If I need an eye catcher for something I use appearing bananas or a rope routine like fiber optics.

The Fire Wallet works well for me for parlour or stage. Instant attention grabber.

Ray