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I always tend to open with the invisable deck.

My own preference is to 'contextually' (based on the audience at the time) perform a trick to open which will:

1: Give you a brief introduction
2: Establish you as a credible magician
3: Reveal a small amount of what is to come, and leave them wanting more

Usually, I performs lots of riffles, shuffles and cuts - to establish that I'm adept with the cards. This also sets a 'conditioning' which I can use as a guise to my advantage later on.

Sankey's Diehard Opener routine is a brilliant way of doing a start to a performance - right down to a sucker ending which packs a punch.

It involves something from each of the above categories - and lets the audience realise you've been ASKED to do this - and you're not just a nutter escaped from the local funny farm.

I tend to find that if you start with a 'middle of the road' effect or trick, you've got a brilliant position to be able to control the audience.

For instance - the next effect could be a little less strong, but they're still reeling from part 1. Then, hit them with a real unexpected cracker to build them up again.

I must admit, I do vary my opener - depending on the context of the performance. Whether to be serious, inject humour, be conservative or be flamboyant.

I truly believe that it's better to be adaptable.

For instance: your opener at a stage performance for a wedding may be entirely different for a stage performance down a working men's club.

I usually open with a variation on the 6 card repeat onlyit uses straws. straws suit my style much better than cards

I was merely mentioning an effect which fulfilled the criteria of what I consider a proper 'opening'.

It's easier to explain via example!

if you put yourself across as a confident person when you start then you may get a better reaction.when i do a show people always congratulate me on my confidence because you dont find many 14 year olds that are willing to talk to people