talkmagic.co.uk

Sorry if this has been discussed before, but what is your single best opening trick and closing trick?

Opener = sponge balls or a colour change routine

You want something where the magic happens VERY quickly, 3 seconds in both of the above for me. And don't do a pick a card trick.

Closer = 3 cards across

I've opened and closed with those for the last 20 odd years!

Does it count as an opener and a closer if I only do the one trick?

In that case it's the ILC deck
or a "card to.... various"

I open most shows by eating a balloon. I have a presentation suitable for kids shows, and another suitable for street shows/adult comedy shows. How I close varies widely.

I was thinking an opening trick for me is stopping someone's watch, and explain the patter of time travel and maybe go into a prediction or something. but that looses the visual effects I want in my magic, hard to decide lol

I really like Cold Cut Transpo on the Mix & MIngle DVD set by Shaun McCree, something i always enjoy using as an opener.

I use the trick below as an opener. Its fast and visual.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NuN0sPq2yQ

Thanks.

For me appearing glass of wine always gets a solid round of applause immediately after I introduce myself. I use my own method.

I usually open with a DB-style mental card force straight into that card being signed and ending up in my wallet. From then on it all depends on the group I'm entertaining, the "vibe" and what seems to flow best that night. Usually end with some pure mind-reading effect or, if they're up for it, some hypno.

I often perform for friends or random people while out at a bar or some other casual setting. In those cases I've found it effective to open with a trick that does not involve cards or peculiar props. For example, I might make a borrowed cigarette disappear, or do magic with a book of matches, coins, bills, etc... It seems more "magical" to do something with the objects around you.

Depends on the group and/or situation, but I normally open with cutlery bending, followed by ID, followed by the "coin falling upwards". My closer depends once again on the situation and surroundings, but it would quite often be a cutlery "break" or coin bend.

ID
5 in 1 transpo
Coinvexed
Invisible touch
Revealing the name of a thought of person(Always kills)

It depends on what style you perform, the location, and you.
What works for me will not necessarily work for you - there are no rules.
As I perform walkaround at restaurants etc., I have no "closer", as circumstance often dictates when I have to stop. I normally open with sponge rabbits, unless I choose something else.
Bruce

This is my simple three phase opener - ICE BREAKER this is modular and can be stopped at any phase.

Simple direct and has everything you need for an opener. I use this in my lecture as its perfect to show people how to make your introduction and not have to worry about clever sleight of hand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UdhJC_rGOk" target="_blank

Lee.

Lee
That was great and very entertaining, however, a couple of passes and those false cuts surely count as "clever sleight of hand"?
The poster was, by the looks of it, a "newbie" magician - could the routine be adapted to use simpler moves?
Bruce