About to send you a PM. Intrested in your presentation are doing and what kind of Wallet you are using.

If you want to appear impromptu, a bill switch (mismade bill) or Gregory Wilson's recent Foreign Affair are great. Crazy Man's Handcuff's is my personal favorite. Don't do much (leave them wanting more) and do something you do very well and that is very strong. I don't think it is unreasonable to have a deck of cards on you (or even some coins) if you are a magician and known as a magician. However, I think that everything should be examinable or you really are a geek (and not just a magic geek). The only time a REAL spectator does not want to handle a prop is during a stage show (and that is because they assume everything is fake or done by mirrors). If you do a trick "on the street" or impromptu, you better let someone look at the prop or you are NOT a magician, but a geek who bought something at a magic shop.

Great ideas and thoughts. Funny how we all have magic in common but all seem to have different thoughts on what should and shouldnt be done inpromptu. I have gotten some very good ideas and some things I don't know about. I will be searching some of them and see if they fit my style and performance and ability. I appreciate everyones input.

Donkey

Can't say I agree with all that kenodad. A skilled "magician" with proper people management skills can make a need to examine a "prop" seem ludicrous. A good magician can make a "prop" seem like an everday object and often leave the spectator thinking they thoroughly examined everything. A "real" spectator usually wants to examine a "prop" when either the effect was performed poorly or they are performing for friends or relatives.

John,
You hit it on the head. As a hobbyist who performs exclusively for family and friends I am constantly asked to examine whatever it is I am using. Very annoying. Just watch and enjoy. I like to start with a few card tricks with a regular deck in which the trick includes them examining the deck and shuffling and hopefully that stops them later from asking to examine everything, but usually not. Would appreciate the ways in which anyone else out there deals with this situation.

Crazy man handcuffs.
Ambitious Card.
Simple effective coin effects ex. French drop. False transfer. Then a revelation.

Powerful.

Coin flurry ending with an under-the-wristwatch complete vanish.

John,
I agree with you. My comments are meant as general guidelines or principles for impromptu magic for an audience that you do not know. I try to start with "tester" effects as I described, so that IF the audience is a bit obnoxious and uncontrollable (and SOME are (especially the drunk ones), even with seasoned performers and well thought out effects), then you can stop and/or move on.

But, John, your point is well taken: good audience management and psychology can take a prop that is gaffed to the hilt and completely non-examinable and create a miracle in the spectators eyes; and they don't even think about looking at the object or cards or coins. On the other hand, some audiences will see an absolute miracle of sleight of hand and assume your normal deck of cards (or THEIR bill or credit card or whatever) is a prop or altered somehow! Family is the worst. My suggestion is to pick safe effects initially with an audience you are not familiar with.

Gregory Wilson's Recap would seem a reasonable effect. Also perhaps a business card effect using the out to lunch principle perhaps?

Number one personal impromptu rule - when performing impromptu, I always borrow the stuff. I also keep it really social seeming, more like a kind of game I'm playing with them. Classics I have used include crazy mans handcuffs (yes another vote it IS that GOOD when done properly I use a 'Zen' puzzle called a Koan patter), linking ring on band (Pinnacle, Paul Wilson, Ammar combined moves),or Fast and Loose - Whit Hayden using a borrowed necklace and my own money as the game incentive sometimes finishing with the Earl Nelson Ring off Rope applied to their ring and necklace - works well as you can weave quite a neat story emotionally with these two borrowed props.

Cheers,
Al

Hehe I'm a real magic geek, in my buisness bag I carry 4 decks of cards 6 half dollars shells dollar sets, loops flash paper, TT, a couple set deck effects, and a ton of other stuff, in my wallet (a triple threat, I carry greed and foreign affiar, and in my pocket iv been carring a coin purse ready for a 3 silver coins to chinese leading into charming chinese challenge! hows that for ready for a moments notice. but for me I don;t do "real shows" so entertaining friends co workers and strangers, when things get boring is my only venue till I'm able to put some real work together

I've been doing Gregs "Re-Cap" for years. That is hands down my favorite impromtu routine. It has 5 phases that keep building. Show that to someone that wants to see something for the first time and they will have no doubt you are a real magician.
Best,
Aaron

Where I can I find "re-cap"? thanks

If I remember right, it is on his DVD "On The Spot".

Yes, it is on On The Spot, and In Action #2
Look for Gregs new product that will be out sometime late summer, "Pre-Cap".
A perfect prequal to "Re-Cap".
Best,
Aaron

Superman Coin Bend
Infusion
Ghost Bills
Stuck
Breakaway Bracelet
The Jo-Dan link
The list goes on and on...

For me ? Now it will be Converter, check out the demo at Hocus Pocus, truly an amazing effect, the next WOW!!!!!!

Regards,
Jeremy Hanrahan

Crazy Man's Handcuffs for sure!!!! Blows them away and you can just leave them with the bands at the end and walk away.

I find Hundy is far more effective if you take it out of your wallet and perform it!

I downloaded this trick from Penguin years ago and never tried it on anyone, looks like I have been missing out. Need to go back into "My Panguin Magic" and re-download it. Not the first time I heard about the great reactions received from this effect. Off to Penguin!

Paul