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Hi, if anyone could offer some advice here it would be much appreciated.

I have been doing magic/mentalism for a while but never done any paid gigs. As a result of this, I am unsure as to how many tricks would be appropriate for say an event like in a restaurant or a corporate event. how many tricks at each table, how long at each table and what type of tricks are best?

thanks.

For strolling or Walk around. I'd say around 4-5 should be plenty. You don't want to be stuck at one table for an entire hour doing effects. You just kind of want to introduce yourself, perform a bit, chat them up and then leave your business card and move onto the next table.

One per table will be enough. You're going to demonstrate a remarkable ability (theirs or yours). One such demo will be all you need.

I agree with Ted, one routine per table is plenty. As a rule of thumb you should be at a table no less than 5 minutes, no more than 10. Any more and you become a pest, unless specifically ask to stay at their table (for example by the bride at a wedding).

And even if you do get asked to stay on at a table, be aware that people around you will have noticed you and want to be included, so excuse yourself politely and try to get round everyone.

Unless, as in the above example, it's the bride who has made the request. She holds some sway

I spend about 7 or 8 mins per table,about 4 or 5 effects is ample.
after you have entertained at all of the tables,you will always get asked back by certain people to show them some more.
wedding for example,i always start and finish with the head table for 3 reasons

(A) They are the ones that have paid for your services.
(B) They know what time you have started
(C) They know what time you have finished.
If i had booked someone to entertain me and my guests for 2 hrs,i would want to know what time they had started and finished,and not wandered off after an hour and a half.
Good luck with your gig,and do let us all know how it went.

I'd second the 5-10 minute rule. As for how many effects, well that more or less depends on your routine and type of magic that you're doing. for me 2 to 3 effects in a routine is easily enough but I concentrate on the mental side of things so my effects tend to go on for longer than a card trick might.

The time you spend at the table is also dictated by the service of food. I try to follow waiters to tables after they have taken an order. I know then that I have a good ten minutes to work with.

I don't always get that right and sometimes find waiters hovering with food whilst I am still performing. I always, always wrap up immediately if that happens. The customer has come to eat and drink I am just the diversion.

On busy days I also check that I am not stopping orders being taken and the waiting staff I work with know that they should interrupt me if they need to get to the table.

Hi Fantambo,

How about introducing yourself to us and tell us more a bit about you and your abilities?

I have things like Beyond ESP 2, 357 and confabulation routines. These things could be a whole 10 minutes of presentation each!

Do you think I should do one effect per table, or should I try and do 2-3 effects per table, but make them quicker?

The problem is, the quicker something is done, the seriousness is lost. An ESP test can be incredibly fun and serious, but if done too quickly it might lose its edge.


Tom
xx

deano0010 wrote:I spend about 7 or 8 mins per table,about 4 or 5 effects is ample.

If your doing 4 or 5 routines at a table, your spectators are going to get very bored.

I do 2 routines, a maxium of 3 per table, and I have 2 sets of 3 routines in case I need to go back to the table

Eshly wrote:Do you think I should do one effect per table, or should I try and do 2-3 effects per table, but make them quicker?

The problem is, the quicker something is done, the seriousness is lost. An ESP test can be incredibly fun and serious, but if done too quickly it might lose its edge.

Think you answered your own question there.
Depends what you're aiming for, but if that's what you're aiming for, aim for it!
Fo Aim!

Mark Waddington wrote:If your doing 4 or 5 routines at a table, your spectators are going to get very bored.

unfortunatley this is true.
But on the plus side, does not always apply to stroll around bar magic.

Mark Waddington wrote:

deano0010 wrote:I spend about 7 or 8 mins per table,about 4 or 5 effects is ample.

If your doing 4 or 5 routines at a table, your spectators are going to get very bored.

I do 2 routines, a maxium of 3 per table, and I have 2 sets of 3 routines in case I need to go back to the table

I've always figured that 4-5 effects would be fine for most walk around work.

Randy wrote:

Mark Waddington wrote:

deano0010 wrote:I spend about 7 or 8 mins per table,about 4 or 5 effects is ample.

If your doing 4 or 5 routines at a table, your spectators are going to get very bored.

I do 2 routines, a maxium of 3 per table, and I have 2 sets of 3 routines in case I need to go back to the table

I've always figured that 4-5 effects would be fine for most walk around work.

BIG difference between table and walkaround.
Which I think is something we may need to start quantifying in a few posts

In answer to marks post,i dont do 4/5 routines i do 4/5 effects which make up 1 routine/set.
I open with my variation of snowblind, easy switch then for the omni deck,followed by easy ace estimation,then eather chop cup or burnt and restored string,ive found this to be long enough for people to enjoy,and not too long that they will get bored,a nice variation and not all cards.
I know there are magicians that are really card heavy,and even all cards, but for me i think the layperson likes to see a bit of variety.
I also think Eshly that most if not all tables would expect to see more than 1 effect no matter how mindblowing it was.
but im sure most working magicians know if they have entertained all of the guests sufficiently,or they have outstayed there welcome.

Deano