Lots of interesting views here.

Perhaps more so than not...The guy with good SOH is probably better than the guy with just gimmicks, but the guy that's good at both of them is probably the better of the two, or something like that.

Yea That is What I have been saying For Years ! And knowing WHEN To do each And WHEN To use A combo of Both of Them ! Takes Time And thought !

I've used gaffed coins for years.. but almost never use gaffed cards. Sometimes we forget we're performing for the public, and not other magicians. The public doesn't know and the public doesn't realize the difference, unless they're intimately familiar with gaffs. Yes, there's a certain pleasure with performing solely with SOH, but the audience doesn't appreciate the difference. It's a self-satisfaction thing...

Minimal gaffs mean less stuff to break the lines of my suit. Well used gaffs mean fewer suspicious moves.
An old camping maxim may apply: "The more you know, the less you carry." I would add "but the stuff you do carry is all useful and you know what to do with it."

Agreed.. Keeping up with gaffs can be a challenge.. that's why I avoid card gaffs. It seems every effect requires a different gaff and a different deck. Coins I think are the beneficiary of gaffs -in general-... but that's solely my opinion and based on my skill level with coins.

Critter, that's another real good line..."The more you know, the less you carry." Ain't that the about the truth in just about anything.

Reminds me of flying.. the first time, a big bag and a carry-on, second time, small bag and a carry-on, third time, a back pack.

Learning to use found object means even less to carry. A mastery of about six technics and various sleights can allow for hundreds of effects with
candy, stones, nuts, etc. But, above all else, the performer must establish an expectation/desire for magic to occur.

The argument between gimmicks and SOH is like debating brands of mustard for the ham.

Why are your guests there? What do they expect? They entrusted you with preparing the meal. Savor the experience and they will also.

What I most enjoyed when I was performing was what I called, "Sleight of Mind", that is, getting inside of a person's head and playing with their perceptions. I guess a guy could do that maliciously, but I only enjoy the game if the person is enjoying the ride. I did it just yesterday at the food store with a lovely young lady (us old fat guys don't often have the opportunity to play with sweet young things ). It was just a bit of a psychic game. She was cute and a lot of fun. We shared a laugh.

I carry Hopping Halves (for the story), coins for the Charming Chinese Challenge, some string and gum bands, and usually a ring and spring.

Using a gimmick in conjunction with slight of ha o the best of both worlds
vinny

Sleight of hand or gaff? A layman should not be able to see either. So to me, it does not matter. I consider three things when strolling. It must have easy or instant reset. It has to be surround proof. I must like performing it and my audience likes seeing it. If I am uncomfortable performing it, then it will affect my performance. Audience reaction. I do not always expect jaw dropping screams. People react differently to Magic. Some like it. Some will not react no matter how good it is. I judge by overall reactions of repeated performances to different spectators.
I do not do a lot of coin work. However I believe people like to see more that just card trick after card trick. So coins add variety to what I do. Cheers!

Old thread but I agree with Vinny and Vince here, pretty much both have their place and can play important parts in the magic. But both should be done invisible to specs. For me SOH comes first, it is the building blocks of it all, even gimmicks & gaffs themselves.

And Vince, I’m just the opposite…for me, adding a few card tricks to my coin work provides a welcomed variety to the presentation. Plus, it has made me a more well-rounded closeup performer and not just a decent-at-best coin guy. 😊

To add to what I said earlier in this thread I believe that if you learn good basic SOH first it will greatly enhance the things you can achieve with gimmicked coins.

You Also need to know WHEN To use a Gaff !!! Not just HOW !

Mb217 and David Neighbors are right. And doing a card trick gives you the opportunity to go to a pocket to also "go south". And vice versa, putting a packet away (I favor small packets of cards anyway...but especially between coin magic) allows you to get things palmed or what not for the next coin miracle. Think of it more like doing sleight-of-hand and "ringing in" the "work" when needed, and not until.