OK, got one.

Are you going to guess it?

I always want to understand how things work and magic is no exception, but I generally concentrate more on how the public was managed than the actual method used. For the latter I generally try to imagine how I would do it and then try to check whether or not my approach was the one used by the magician.

Although figuring it out is gratifying, I increasingly find myself just enjoying the performance more and more. Some things - like memorized deck work in card magic - I intentionally avoid learning because I want to be an occasional oblivious spectator just as much as a performer. Obviously, I do my best to compensate for this lack of knowledge with my own performances. But I still think being oblivious about certain types of magic effects is the best way to be inspired to improve your own performances. Just my humble opinion...

Most of the time, no.

I'm usually focused on the presentation and choreography. I will only attempt to puzzle something out afterwards, if it fooled me terribly.

Yes, the little things! The little touches of astonishment! Many of us saw Dan White recently perform a mind-reaing card trick on Jimmy Fallon. The first part involved a blackboard prop advertised even in the Café forum. Yes,we can figure this part out. The second part... signed card to sealed envelope (untouched by magician). OK, I tried to figure it out, thinking not just about the puzzle part... but is this a trick I can perform as well? This was the 'little part' of the trick, including Dan White's build-up and how he worked even the TV audience; and this was what blew minds. I did not figure this one out, but have fond memories of it. Lynn

The challenge of perceived smugulence?

I don’t need to figure out how it is done because I am one who knows.