talkmagic.co.uk

Witty retorts, that's what I need.

Having been performng magic for months rather than years, I have the practice to be able to accomplish many card tricks, but not the performing experience to be able to deal with tricky customers.

What happens when somebdy asks to examine something that they can't? Is there a set of standard gags or lines that can put them off the scent?

As I'd said before, I like doig the Photographic Deck because you can do it on a train without saying anything. This was the case the other day, and a young lady opposite said "excuse me, but may I ask... how do you DO that?!?" to which I responded "magic" and she held out her hand and asked "can I see those cards" Dammit, if only I'd left them as a full deck and switched to a standard pack, but by then it was too late...

Similarly, if people persist in saying "you must've done that by having blah blah blah" or just asking how something is done, do you just ignore their questioning and move on, or what?

The only thing I normally say if people ask me to tell them how to do a trick is "can you keep a secret?" "yes" "so can i" - but there has to be more ways out of the situation!

Any advice? Would this becovered by books on "outs" (which I thought focussed on getting out of situations where the trick's gone slightly wrong or the spectator spots you palming a card or something!)

Try this link it might help.

http://www.royal.no/miracles/showme.htm

John.

I am sometimes quite blunt and to the point if someone is rude enough to ask.
I will often say "if you'll bare your *rse then I'll bare mine" I used this again recently and the lady in question was happy to oblige, so I did too (but not the gaff).
Of course it is said in a very light hearted manner, but you never know, you could also get lucky.

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I hate it too when people ask me to hold it or see it, thats why i do my tricks when sooooo many people are around, that way, no one bothers to ask for it, but they ask to see more. When you're done, you say "sorry, i gotta go" thats it, done. Everybody's too impressed by the effects. The thing is, when you do it to one person, you have no one else to impress, that's why there is no other persons patience to worry about. Umm...a good way to get away with one person is to do a trick with a standard deck, do a deck switch, do a trick with a gimmicked deck, do another deck switch, do a trick, and your done. As easy as that!

Just run.

simple as... just leg it

It is frustrating when awkward customers come your way but one good technique which I hve found is if anyone ever asks you ' how fo you do that,' reply, ' very well thank you,' and walk away. If they ever ask you to teach them something display a difficult flourish and say,' when you've learned that come back and ask again.

i dont do card tricks much and always use a stripper / wizard deck, so if i am asked to see the cards i just say sorry you cant i'll lose my place, but you can check out this key (haunted key).
two tricks for the price of one, you can be sure they be glued to the key before and after and will have forgotten all about your cards.

I find the best way of dealing with that kind of this is to provide a distraction. Like suggested with the haunted key. I often do tricks in public places like restaurants or pubs and so there are plenty of distractions about, e.g. order a drink. Its simple but can often be enough time to switch a deck or remove the gimmick. Just my opinion!

missdirection is one of the corner stones of our art.
another favourate of mine is can i see your equity card? ok when you get one you can see my cards..... next trick

whenever i do a card trick i always carry two decks with me one in my pocket one in my hand (the trick pack) when they ask to see the cards in your hand you simply put them in your pocket. when they ask again u let them inspect the second deck.

if u wish not to do it this way just offer to show them another trick first and by the time youv put the cards away and shown them another trick they will of forgotten!

Ouch! Deck switching!!! Taboo!!!

A sure giveaway that you're up to no good! And don't forget, you've got to switch it back - that's 2 deck switches, essentially!

Best way to deal with 'hecklers' in my opinion is play them at they're own game... oneupmanship - get the upper hand.

Q: Let's have a look at those cards...
A: I used to have an assistant like you once... (conversation stopper, change of subject - usually works...)

Q: You've got a fake deck...
[Keep a deck of cards in your pocket, maybe an old deck. Put a big label on the deck on one side which says "FAKE DECK"]
A: No, you're wrong, my fake deck is here... (pull out fake deck). Laughs and embarrasment.

And so on and so forth...

If someone says ' can i see those' just quickly say 'opening your eyes might help' or ' it depends on whether you are blind or not??'
And then quickly move on. Phrases like these usually shuts them up and refrains them from making witty comments again.