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LBP MAGIC Veteran user 374 Posts |
I am just curious what everybody uses as an opener in a restaurant. I am sure this has been discussed before, but I can't find anything.
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twistedace Inner circle philadelphia 3772 Posts |
Sponge balls
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Ron Crumley Elite user 1950 - 2012 448 Posts |
It hard to beat sponge rabbits. And while I am certainly not being sexist, the sponge rabbits especially appeal to females.
Walk up, introduce yourself, connect through positive verbal interaction, then place a sponge rabbit (especially the super soft ones) in their hand and presto, they're usually hooked. Open with "the greatest magicians in the world have a rabbit in their act, but I do too". Open your hand to reveal the first rabbit and then go into a finger cut to produce the second . . . |
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007mystic New user Indianapolis 63 Posts |
I have always used Card to Wallet. It allows me to talk to the people and build some report with them.
The weaver of Illusions
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Mike Wild Inner circle NY, PA, TX, MA, FL, NC 1290 Posts |
I like to use the Brainwave deck. Card tricks are familiar, but by opening with an effect that's, "Not like other card tricks, because..." you're riding on the comfort factor of a card trick, but you're doing something completely different from, "Pick a card, any card, and don't let me see it...."
I'm a coin guy, but Brainwave or Invisible deck really seems to loosen people up and open their eyes at the same time. I'll then slip into a Svangali thing that uses coins to find the selected card in a few impossible looking ways, and viola! I've transitioned into coins. Best, Mike |
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Bill Thomas Regular user 102 Posts |
I agree with Wilstone on the, "Invisible Deck." I also like Sponge Rabbits and Hundy 500. When I ask them, "Would you like to see some magic using my money, or yours." This seems to get the conversation going and they always say, "Your money" which leaves room for joking and by play. It just seems to work for me.
Bill |
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Dirko Loyal user Michigan 287 Posts |
I use shriek of the mutilated (ripped and restored cigarrette paper). It's very flashy and I have patter that sets the tone for the entire show. Kids love to see the flash of fire, other tables get interested as to, "What is happening over there," and I have found that it is best to not start with a card trick. I save that stuff for later. Just my 2 cents.
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Shane Wiker Inner circle Las Vegas 1199 Posts |
I have decided to open with cards (Usually), and use sponge balls and rope for transitions to effects that require set-up decks (As long as they are instant reset). Before anyone starts saying I shouldn't open with cards, the reason is, my friends and family agree that while all my magic is amazing, cards are my specialty. My opening effects are:
Be Honest, What Is It (AKA Two Card Monte) Dan's Rope Routine That's It (I was hesitant about opening with an effect that makes you seem like a terrible magician, but realized that that feeling only lasts about 5-8 seconds, because when you show that you had the card all along, it is even more amazing than if you got it right the first time). The two card openers I learned years ago and they are very basic, but I find that some of the simplest effects are still the strongest. Shane Wiker |
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Magic Marty New user Illinois 80 Posts |
Tally up another vote for sponge...anything.
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Leeman Special user Hollywood, CA 709 Posts |
I personallly think that it is better to open with a shot visual trick and then move onto the, "In their hands" type of effects. This way it gives the spectators a little of time to get used to you. I really like a 1 coin production, a couple of coin rolls and the coin falling up bit. After that I can go into the coin on head thing, a coins across, or vanish the coin and move on to sponges. I also like using CMH because you can do the final phase in their hands.
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Eirik Special user Oslo 879 Posts |
The comedy version of salt to pepper using two TT's.
Chicago Surprise or signed card to sugar packet. -e-
...As long as i`m not a world-champion at anything, the great reactions of doin` magic will do just fine.....
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EricHenning Loyal user Laurel, Maryland 218 Posts |
If you are planning to do more than one routine per table, then by all means open with "eye candy." Anything visual that does not require a great deal of the audience's physical involvement with the props or the process. The goal of the opener is to establish:
a) that you are skilled; b) that you will do amazing things; and c) that they should keep watching. That's it - you're selling yourself, or at least rewarding them for asking to see the magic. Blow their minds, then you can get into the longer, process-driven routines. I often open with: Thumb Tip Streamer Ninja Rings One Coin routine (Silver Eagle ends up transforming into a dollar-sized Penny) If you only have time to do one routine, then by all means do something that has a complete plot and feels like "a show in itself." Many of these are otherwise Closers. For me (and your mileage may vary), these routines include: Sponge Bunnies Invisible Deck Ninja Rings Signed Card to Wallet Completely Covered (Paul Green's take on the Insurance Policy, from his DVD, "In The Trenches") |
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T.House Loyal user 279 Posts |
If there are children at the table, a really nice opener is the Dishonest Abe routine by Carl Andrews. They always remember that I am the guy with the big penny!
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Adammcd Regular user Greensburg PA 132 Posts |
I could be wrong but I think Dishonest Abe is by Gregory Wilson.....They both do Vids for Magic smith. I could be wrong I have been before....
Adam
The last thing you ever expected, should have been the first.
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Nelson Hoofard New user League City, Texas 36 Posts |
Adam you're right, Dishonest Abe is by Gregory Wilson. Carl Andrews has a version of it in his "Magic from Maui" book called The Jumbo Penny. The only thing that's different in Carl's version is the way the jumbo penny is produced.
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paulajayne Inner circle London England 1160 Posts |
Hi
Coin through table - there is no "hi I am a magician" just straight in to "you have a fault with your table" which gets them wondering what is going on. If it is a table with lots of childern then sponge balls or balloon animal. Paula
Paula Jay - Magic to Remember -
--------------------------------- I once wrote a book on elephants, I think paper would have been better. ---- |
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ShaunRobison Loyal user 255 Posts |
Eric Henning is right on the buton with his comments.
The first thing I do is introduce myself. I don't say that I am a magician first but I do let the people know that I work there. Then I tell them, "I am an entertainer hired by the management to do magic at every single table." "Which is very cool when there is people at them but when there's no one there it gets a bit weird." Then I start off with ALL SCREWED UP or a 3 coin routine I learned from Garrett Thomas. Shaun R.
www.shaunrobison.com
Magic and Illustrations |
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Adammcd Regular user Greensburg PA 132 Posts |
Okito,
That is a great opening line.....Right up my alley....If you don't mind could I use it??? Thanks Adam
The last thing you ever expected, should have been the first.
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Jared Inner circle Rhode Island, USA 1573 Posts |
This has been discussed countless times, but just for the sake of assisting try any of the following:
Copper/Silver, Coins to the spectator's hands, Color Changing Knives, Michael Ammar's 'Did you order the Salt or Pepper?', Mark Jenest's #2 Pencil, 'Bounce- No Bounce Opener'(forget who to credit), Cigarette Up the Nose, 'Cap or Coin' in Bottle, Richard Osterlind's 'Sweet and Low', Dean Dill's 'Spotlight', Copper, Silver, Brass, Doc Eason's 'All Screwed Up', 'Enigma, Three Fly, Ammar's 'Coins through Silk', David Acer's 'Diamond's Are Forever', Hopping Half, if you're on a budget, Mark Jenest's 'Short Hop', John Bannon's 'Vaccum Packed', $5 and $1 transpo.....Do you need more????? There's tons of strong visual openers available for the table-hopper...Let the magic happen quickly- keep the presentation relatively short but most of all have fun. -Jared |
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armagician Regular user 146 Posts |
Hello my name is The Amazing Ray. I'm a magician. Whats that in your ear.( pull out a miracle rabit in the ball form)
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