Martin Gardner's Encyclopedia of Impromptu Magic is a must read!

MM

Greg Wilson Questionable coin trick from on the spot

begins at 1:17 in : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2dIHhYDYCM

As a mentalist, I usually perform icurveball (if person has a suitable phone) or maybe something involving a CT.

It is a rare, RARE thing not to have SOMETHING on me. Like...when in the shower or mowing the lawn. And even when mowing the lawn, I may yet have a silver dollar, poker chip or some other coin-like item in my pocket! I always have silver dollars on me when out of the house, (there's even a Morgan silver dollar in a compartment in my wallet - and I never leave home without my wallet). So I can do coin routines. If I don't have at least one coin on me, (again, a near impossibility), then I would borrow a coin or other small item and go through a routine of vanishes and appearances.

How can one NOT have a coin handy? I always leave the house with a coin shell and nest of wallets to play around. To the above who only performs for money..pity on you. Some of my most fun moments have been performing/practicing for kids/adults at the deli line or supermarket. Priceless.

Gregory Wilson - Coffee House Conjuring is a must perfect for Starbucks but can be adapted for most other public places.
The man is a genius!

CS

"Show me a trick? Show me your money!"

Borrow a coin or two, and do a mini coin routine.
Borrow a couple of bills of different value, and do "roll the bills" from Mark Wilson's book.

In both cases, keep the change

P!

Yes! Martin Gardner's "IMPROMPTU MAGIC" (I KNOW the book 'cuz I helped it to get published when I was staying in the "CHARLIE MILLER SUITE" at MAGIC INC.

I sold Avner Eisenberg his first TT at "Inc.". He later told me that he "got" most of his act out of Gardner's book! Avner toured with the KARAMAZOV BROTHERS.

The skills and knowledge that you carry in your head, are a lot lighter than props in a trunk!

Yes, On the Spot by Gregory Wilson is all about the impromptu.

Agree with the rest - definately check out On the Spot by Greg Wilson
Also Lifesavers by Michael Weber - great book on "Improvised vs Impromptu Magic"
My keychain and wallet is loaded with a bunch of different effects so I'm always ready (Check out Linkey by Alan Rorrison, and Play Money by Nick Diffatte)
If there's pen and paper/napkin handy you can do mentalism
And don't forget to check out Disjointed by Joe Russell! Fantastic version of the arm twist illusion

- Yazz

Always carry a deck of cards with you. If there is one thing I ever learned, a deck of cards should be in a pocket at all times. 52 possibilities awaiting at a moments notice... Plus, what screams "magician" more than a guy who always is prepared with a deck of cards?

I have to disagree with always carrying cards with you - don't get me wrong, I love card magic. However, unless they're already lying around in the space or someone hands them to you, it seems too prepared. It doesn't seem impromptu for a casual situation.

- Yazz

When someone asks me to see a trick and I don't have anything with me which is a rare occurance because I always have cards with me I do the thumb through ear just as a quick trick and tell them I will show them more later!
Hope that helps
-Josh

A simple mantalism / prediction usually dose it

CS

Another thumbs up for "on the spot" from me!

I did Flipstick with a pencil at the corner store in Hermon, Maine a couple years ago. These folks apparently have never seen magic. I was so pleased to have thrilled them with a pencil and a few quarters!

Doug

Yazz, I agree 110% if it ain't there where you are already then it does not seem like magic... someone said, can't remember who, "If I were to pull out a ham sandwich there is no magic involved with that but if someone were to say I'm hungry and you make one appear then magic has taken place." Not sure if those are the exact words but I think you get what I'm trying to say. For that reason I try to focus on items that we all carry everyday like coins and bills or maybe something that might be found lying around. If you pull out a deck of cards they know right then-and-there that it's a trick... plain and simple, after all who in everyday life carries around a deck of cards with them everywhere they go???
I caught one of Jim Tyler's lectures at IBM last year and he said the last year or so that he worked restaurants he would challenge himself and not carry anything on him into the restaurant. Everything he did was done at that moment and with no props... now that is how magic should be perceived. Even if you were to have a gimmicked bill or coin or whatever on you it should look as thought it is magical not gimmicked or prepared. That being said, I always have something "up my sleeve" or not too far out of reach so I can rattle their brains just a little bit harder. If I have bills or coins with me I can always do something but if I have my wallet with me (and I usually do) there is always something extra in there or stashed in my money clip and I can make it seem as though I used their bill or coin for the effect.

How about Ringja by Nie Te? Borrow a ring or two and you are ready to go

Ringja's great! Some of the moves are difficult to get down, but it's worth it - you could do at least 20 mins solid with a couple of rings having watched this!
Taterini: Totally agree with you - you should see my wallet and keychain - it's loaded with cool stuff!
Also I usually wear loops which are my favourite thing and the world and you can do a bunch of awesome stuff with a TT

- Yazz

At bars, linking straws is always killer. Just carry around a pocketknife on your keychain and trim them when needed.

As for the 3 coin+1 card matrix--I'm not sure I know the effect. Can it be any card? Like could you use your drivers' license?