talkmagic.co.uk

A couple of weeks ago i ordered a Close up pad off the internet. They are the perfect thing to use for card spreads, manipulation, coin work and most other close up magic that involves a table. The pad itself has a rubber bottom to stop it slipping on a table, The top is spongey. This creates a small amount of "give" enableing you to drop or pick up coins when they are flat on the surface of the pad. The other thing that the pad does is give your whole routine and appearance a more professional magician look. It has really helped my overall table magic and routines.

I agree. I have a few close up mats of different colours and sizes and recently bought a folding card table that's like a SUPERSIZE card mat.

Absolutely great!

They are an essential item for any close-up worker. For example, coin matrix is a breeze with a good mat.

As a warning, I bought a double-sided one from Davenports, which I thought would be nice since it was black on one side and blue on the other, but it does not have the rubber grip. So, it moves around a bit too much when it is on a smooth surface. I will have to get another one. I noticed that the Magic Box has a good deal on close-up mats.

i just got a gorgeous mat from http://www.magic-mirror.co.uk/Close%20Up%20Mats.htm

it has a 'marble' effect finish and really looks spiffy!

it's so nice, in fact, that i went into our dining room yesterday to find our dog had got onto the table and was curled up fast asleep on the matt!! and you can't get a higher recommendation than that!

They look great! Really would add to the performance! Hmm....yearning, burning, desire to spend

I'm thinking of getting a mat too. But I don't know which to choose. I found 2 nice mats:
Trevor Duffy's Magic Mat
Apollo Mat

Can I just say thanks to Ozman for mentioning magic mirror as I'd never heared of that site before and it's just cost me 40 quid. Damn C.U.P.S

I was doing so well on the road to C.U.P.S recovery. V excited by the new purchases though

Also try the 'shuffle mat' from World of Magic (http://www.world-of-magic.co.uk). It is a fold up mat that looks like a wallet and fits in your jacket pocket. I do a lot of gigs with table to table work, so this puppy will come in handy! It can also be used for some card revelations!

I think I should sound a note of caution over mats. There are lots of nice ones around, but I think anyone who's thinking of buying one or, more precisely, using one for walkaround in restaurants, should read Kenton Knepper's article in the free Online Visions site.

In short, how would you feel if you were eating/have just finished eating/were about to eat and someone walks up and plonks down a mat on your table? Does that look professional, or quite the opposite?

That doesn't mean don't use one, but don't assume that people are necessarily too concerned with how easy it makes things for you.

Who said they were to be used for table-hopping?

dat8962 wrote:I agree. I have a few close up mats of different colours and sizes and recently bought a folding card table that's like a SUPERSIZE card mat.

Absolutely great!

Where did you get the card table from Dat?

ace of kev wrote:Who said they were to be used for table-hopping?

I prefaced my comment by saying that it was for people who were doing table-hopping.

There are lots of nice ones around, but I think anyone who's thinking of buying one or, more precisely, using one for walkaround in restaurants, should read Kenton Knepper's article in the free Online Visions site.

Yes, the table hopping thing is hard to manage at times. Clients think it would be great to have a magician 'during dinner', but I insist to perform during coffee. It is impossible to compete with waiters, waitresses, hungry punters, and no room on the table for performing. I have also approached a table, aked them if they would like to see some magic and been flatly told by one of the customers 'no'.

I will see what the shuffle mat looks like and then decide. I have in the past used a small mat, but then you have to carry it around with you, which can also be a pain. The shuffle mat seems a good solution.

On the plus side, a mat defines your 'space' and gives focus to the performance.

Trevor Duffy mats are really good quality. They don't crease either.
Had mine for a couple of years and it still looks great.