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If you're a walkaround mage, what do you do for closeup mats?
For packet transpo, you need to pick up cards from the table cleanly, and it's near impossible on hard tables. But equally you can't carry a closeup mat all the time

1) Don't do a packet transpo You want tricks that use very little or no table space.

2) Leave the packet jutting a bit over the edge of the table. That way you can lever it up easily.

3) Use a spectator's hand.

Kati

yeh, lately I'm into packet tricks, no grubby hands picking cards from MY deck

hmm - walkaround kind of implies you don't have a close-up mat, don't you think?
The thing is - if you're going to do this kind of thing you can't expect the environment to adept to your needs - you need to do the adapting. That's how it is in a walkaround gig.

As for someone touching 'your' cards. Hey - they're just a pack of cards. Get over it . They're a tool. What's more important than the cards, though, is your attitude. Don't mean to sound to harsh - but if your perspective of the people you're performing with is 'grubby hands' then you're going to have a hard time..

There are 'Table-hopping' close-up mats, but i never bother using one

Option,

You can get small close up mats from magic shops and Ebay. Put a bulldog clip on the top edge of your inside jacket pocket and hang it there.

John Cornelius has a nice little carry around close-up mat called the Shuffle Mat. It folds up into a wallet. Check it out.

Some good points made by Taneous!

The thing is - if you're going to do this kind of thing you can't expect the environment to adept to your needs - you need to do the adapting. That's how it is in a walkaround gig.

So true and there's nothing lile doing your homework in advance. Let me explain! I work a lot of wedding receptions and one of the first things that I ask if whether they are having paper or linnen table cloths.

Paper is c*** (not the best), particularly for spillages whilst linnen can be just as good as a close up mat. I also find out if part of the performance will be in the bar. This means no table cloths and sticky tables (I never could work out why people spill beer ).

This type of information can sometimes help you plan ahead but as for cards, expect to use and give away a few decks as souvineers.

A quick question about close-up mats - I have a large (ish) black one, velvet-type stuff on one side, thin foam on the other. Problem is, I rolled it up and put it in the briefcase I use for magic stuff - now it has two impressions in it from the sharpies in the upper compartment!

Will these fill out naturally or can I do something to "refresh" the mat - wash it perhaps - if so, with what etc.?

Try this. you know them poker set you can get, i was brought one for xmas and the only good thing about it was the green cloth that came with it, its quite big but you cand fold it a few times for smaller areas??