This will be very obivious for many, but I just wanted to share my positive experiences doing selfworking tricks.
Im hardcore sleight of hand fan, I love it, but when I have to show some trick on the spot fast, its usually selfworker, very often gemini twins. The reactions has surprised me so much for such a simple and "between magicians old cheap trick". Ive underestimated these simple tricks so much.

Often the simple tricks--so called self-workers--go over so well due to the fact that the lack of technical, behind the scenes work allows the performer to concentrate on presentation.

I think some of the self workers are really powerful. Just take a look at all 3 volumes of Ultimate Self Working Card Tricks.

Self workers are especially good for fooling MAGICIANS!

I couldn't agree more. When I showed some magic to my friends for the first time, I brought in a deck and did gemenii twins. Sometimes performing for friends is nerve wrecking, so it helps, no matter how good you are, to show them a nice self worker to calm the nerves. It helps that so many self workers are just as hard hitting as some insane difficult stuff.

I think presentation is just as important as any effect. Therefore, when starting out self working tricks are a great place to start.

Some of my all time favorite effects come from Scarne on Card Tricks and evrything in that book is a self-working trick. I wore that book out. Used to keep it in my car so that I could refresh my memory before going into anything where I might be asked to perform. It is true that they give one a great opportunity to concentrate on presentation it also is a great help for those new to magic to build up some confidence.

Self working tricks can be very strong effects. In the past I have thought about these type of things and here is what I came up with in a brain storm.(These are from a note book about 5 years ago

Self working tricks are strong because,
1- There no or little set up and sligth of hand,
2- Every thing is clean especially if there are no need to shuffle are jig things around,
3- There are a few options were the volunteer can get involved and seem to do the trick,
4- Me as performer have little to think are worry about,

Then there is some note on point for basically covering the idea that I if I am not worried about the effect I can focus on the performance.

Somthing else I like to add is if you use a self work as your opener you start strong its a good place to be. Also I like to end on something a bit technical because I think people appropriate it but if things go a bit wrong I have a full on trick and yours could be a self worker.

Simaulaur thing when trying out new martrial sanwhich it in between two efeects. So you do somthing you can do in your sleep, then the new effect, then a strong self worker. This mens you only have to focus on the new effect but if you stuff it up you still leave them diging you.

hope this helps.

For beginners I'll add some more self workers here....

1. Agree Gemini Twins is strong & would add that the 'Rainbow Deck' is a great beginner's trick based on the same principle as Gemini Twins (I think the Rainbow Deck is even stronger). I still use my Rainbow Deck from time to time at professional bookings and to friends and relatives
2. There is a lot to be said for the so-called beginner's trick 'do as I do'. It beats a hell of a lot of other tricks hands down.
3. There's a very simple beginner's version of the selected card being found reversed in the centre of the deck. Tha's a good trick too. The method is in every beginner's book if anyone wishes to seek it out.
4. I'm fond of a trick called 'last 2 cards match' (performed with 2 sets of 5 matching cards or just get 5 cards and tear them in half to create your 2 sets.
5. Try this out: How about having a prediction in an envelope of a selected card. Then from a pack of cards for*e the card with the 'cross cut for*e', reach for the envelope to reveal what's in there (creates timed misdirection) & then go back to the pack showing where/what the spectator cut to. It will of course match the prediction.
6. There are some very good self working non-card tricks: the jumping (elastic) bands is a perfectly fine trick as is getting a ring to go up an elastic band that you are holding up (defying the law of gravity) - this is a very strong trick and overlooked by magicians (perhaps because it is too easy!) The 'Piano Trick' is a fine trick often described using playing cards but you can use matches, toothpicks etc instead. Look this trick up in beginner's books and the Internet.
7. Gaffed cards and coins can make your life very easy too with some great self workers with those... For the latter 'coin unique' is hard to beat & there are some quite cheap (& good) versions coming out on ebay. The disappearance in the glass with the swirl move is a visual stunner & the best use of this prop In my opinion. . Sleight of hand artists will make the vanished coin reappear under someone's watch but there is no real need for this, you can end the trick on the vanish or simply produce a duplicate from your pocket etc.

Hope this helps a few beginner's & gets some experienced hands to have a go with a few of these tricks because every single one is strong in my opinion.

The only downside to some self-workers is that a spectator could later crack out a deck of cards and copy you exactly, thus revealing the method.

While it's true that a spectator could copy your actions later and work out the method, that's not necessarily a bad thing. I remember being a kid and working out a self-working trick, where all of the court cards are shuffled, yet end up in columns of correct suit/order. I was AMAZED that the trick worked without the magician. It made the story and trick more magical.

Selfworkers are fantastic! Many of my best reactions stem from them. They're great to learn in the beginning because you can develop yourself as a performer. I do want people to think that something tricky might be involved though and that I was just so fast that they never saw a thing. Lubor's lens is a great effect to do because though it is a self worker, an object physically changes in their hands without them seeing a thing.

What self workers can members recommend that are not card tricks. I find that the one or two self workers that I use can be made more interesting and magical without cards. I find that a lot of people are very suspicious of cards these days.

Don-G

One very good non card selfworker is Matt Sconce's Spin.
You can spin/move any object that has plastic part (pen, dvd case, knife, etc) and its very easy & impromptu

This is s great thread offering much for quick, simple, painless magic.

I have nothing to add except that I love Gemini Twins and plan on ordering the other Fulves books in the self working series.

I've seen lots of praise for self-working tricks when starting out but these often appear to be card tricks. I've ordered "lethal tender" which seems to be a very straightforward self-working coin trick. Are there any other coin tricks around that I might add to a short list of self-workers I can use to build confidence at the beginning of a performance or whilst perfecting SOH based effects?

I also like self-workers but often in street magic self working is limited because you are borrowing items such as rings etc.

The first trick I ever learned was a self working magic trick. It was awesome! Process of elimination.

Selfworking card tricks are amazing I think because the magician doesn't have to touch the cards too much, so the spectators cannot dismiss the magic by simply thinking 'sleight of hand'.

Are the ultimate self working DVDs a good investment then?