I usually work in an environment where there a lots of people walking around. A few times a day, someone says "Oh, you have your cards out! Cool, show me a trick!" Now, oftentimes they don't have enough time (or a table, for that matter) for me to do any well-known "good" tricks, i.e. Chicago Opener, Be Honest What is it, etc... What would you do? I usually do ambitious card or a quick card to wallet, but I'm looking for some other stuff. Any ideas?

"Be Honest What is it" is one of the fastest tricks out there (well, about). It should be shorter than ambitious card.

Anyway, I would just tell them "We probably don't have enough time right now, I'll be sure to show you something later on when there is more time".

When on the spot like after a show or deadtime someone wants to see something with the cards, I have done in the past a poker tell routine, very similar to Darwin Ortiz's.

I just have to b----e p--k the top card & then force it.

When I don't have a deck or any other props I usually do Doug Dyment's Sign Language.

Twisting the Aces (Dai Vernon - explained in Stars of Magic and ETMCM), Timely Departure(John Bannon-Smoke and Mirrors book & video). These 2 effects are 100% impromptu and blow away anybody. Also consider some effects from Art of Astonishment:Improv Nightshades, Unshuffling Rebecca (or the original Triumph), Stapled etc.
Andre

I'd perhaps go for NFW - launched with "I'll not use the whole deck, but if we just take the jokers..."

or a deck switch for an ID ...

NFW....good choice but you have to carry a gaff.

I would suggest a 3 card monte (of course the routines without a table).

Any card in pocket routine, or id vest the card (if I'm wearing a shirt.)

anything with a simple plot.

--art--

If you had the card for Chicago Opener, you could of just dropped the card on the floor. (Whit describes this in detail in his Chicago Opener notes.)


It hads a nice effect to it, and you don't need a table to do it.

I've learned that Here Then There is a quick, stunning killer of an effect. That's the one I've been going with lately when I find myself in these situations.

I agree with a card in pocket or any effect where a card changes in his hand usind a DL or top change.
Personally though I don't know the name of the effect but a spectator selects a card and returns it. You remove 5 cards from the pack and shows it to him. He holds the pack and tells you his card and then you are left with 4 cards in your hand and he has his card reversed in the pack.
Alternatively you hand him the 2 jokers and the card magically appears between the jokers.
Sorry for my lack of names here.

I'd never seen this alternative handling but like the sound of this a lot - the lack of a table actually helps in that it eliminates spec's picking up the card too early and discarding the rogue card is completely natural. Thanks for this!



Is this the same as what I think is called Here And There - the in their hands two card transposition? If so I also do this fairly often as a quick attention grabbing opener.

I always say " I don't know any tricks, but here's something amazing...."

Do you know the "Jumping Gemini" routine? Or perhaps, "Twins". or a simple force a card then read their mind type effect.

And remember, YOU are in control! You could simply put the cards away, and say "I'll tell you what's REALLY amazing! I've been working on this little trick with a half dollar, (Or whatever props you happen to have in your pocket.) Just remember, You are the master of the situation, and YOU know what's "best" for them to watch!

Be Honest What Is It
and Here Then There can be a perfect marriage.

Do Here Then There first, and say, "You wanna see how its done?" and then do "Be Honest"

;)

:wavey:

Jay Sankey's "Paperclipped." Numero Uno.

For cards, I always do Card to Forehead with a TC finish to seriously blow them away.

By the way, to take the sting out of this trick and to put the laugh on myself, I usually say, when they realize where their card has ended up, "Don't feel bad! Think about how I feel, having to do this for a living!"

Hope this helps!

Lee Darrow, C.Ht.

If I have my own deck on me, I usually do Card Warp. The preparation only takes a second or two of misdirected conversation and you are ready to go.

OUT of THIS WORLD! Aldo Colombini's version called " Its a Small World" or Kundalini Rising.

Rannie

Ungimmicked three card monte always goes down a treat..

One thing that I normally use when somebody asks is maybe Two Card Monte, or, more often, A La Anneman, by Paul Cummins.