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Well I've been working on a routine for about a month now at home. It's only a little 5 trick routine but I've been making sure that I've got the patter down to a tea and the performance spot on. After about a month of working on it and boring my girlfriend to tears every evening with it I decided to take it public.

So off down the pub with a couple of packs of cards.

Firstly I allow them to choose a colour deck, either red or blue and use a little bit of magicians choice.

It starts off with a little routine where I find the 4 aces, I give a load of blurb about how different card make different sounds when being riffled. If you learn the sounds you can tell the card. Then demonstrate this by riffling through the deck and picking out the 4 aces.

Next comes the good old invisible palm, using the four aces I've just found.

Third is a spelling trick, get them to pick a card place it back in the deck. I then look through and try to find it. Can't so get them to tell me the card and then deal cards, spelling the name of their card. When they finish spelling, the turn over the next card and it's theirs.

Number four, I take the other colour deck, explaining that I need two different coloured decks for my nect trick. Open the deck, only to find it's the same colour as the one I'm already using. Act all disapointed that I can't do my trick, but then come up with an idea and do a little colour change routine.

Then to finish off I get them to tell me a card. Give a little speech about how I had a dream where I asked them for a card. And tell them that before leaving the house I took that card they told me in the dream in put it in the opposite colour deck. Find their card and yup, it's got a different colour back. Just to top it off I give them the other deck to look through, there's a different colour card in there too, and it's theirs.

Everything worked brilliantly. People were leave telling me that they're going to get some cards and try to learn the different riffle sounds. I made a bit of a mess of the invisible palm, but threw in some extra patter, re-squared the cards and everything went great. And the response from the last trick was amazing.

Really enjoyed myself and so did eveyone watching.

Well done that man!

You'll now spend the rest of your life chasing that rush

Sounds good - maybe you could do the rising card trick? Although it seems really boring when you know how it's done, it's probably the audience's favourite trick next to the ID.

Well done!!!

It takes guts to walk up to people and show them a single trick let alone a routine! Now you will be a target of comments like "Oi, Magi, show us a trick then!" so make sure you've always got something in ya pocket (I always have Card Warp and Heirloom) so that if you're ever caught off guard you can show something.

Also mixing up your effects a bit to maintain constant interest is a must. A favourite book of mine that is perfect for anyone showing magic in pubs is Paul Zenons '100 ways to win a tenner'. None of it is really magic, more the kind of no lose scam things but when in a pub it's an absolute must to know some of them so you can do them at will!! But watch out, the girlies may start showing a lot of attention in you and your skills so keep the missus sweet and prominent!!

Well done mate!

Excellent work. The first time can be nerve wracking, but the reactions and sense of accomplishment are incredible.

So what's it like for you on the inside? Do you run through your patter or your next move in your head or is it all by rote?

Performing magic is the closest thing to zen I've ever experienced. It's like I'm watching my hands work without me. My mind goes blank, the words come out, and the magic happens. That's when I know I'm on.

Good luck. And always leave them wanting more.

The greatest moments in table-hopping magic is when you suddenly realise that you've spent 30 minutes on one table and it feels like you've just sat down. It's probably some kind of time/space anomoly (sp?) brought about by my magic - although it could simply be a sign of everyone having a great time.

I find these space/time anomolies occur most regularly in the company of purdy gurls.

actually, there's some very good advice (as always) at online visions site, on how to finish your set...

in a nutshell though - start an effect, or very close to ending; then just stop...

...leave them with the card or whatever and say "tell you what, next time i see you, we'll continue with this...." and that's that...wouldnt work in the street, unless its a business card...but its a nice piece of thinking...

Cheers for the replies, guys. Yeah, it felt brilliant, a total buzz. When I was performing for one group, I'd see others peering at me from other tables. So I'd just go and perform for them. I think I did about 5 or so groups in total with a routine which lasted about 15-20 minutes.

I've practiced the whole routine, including patter loads of times in front of the mirror and a video camera so it all came out totally naturally. I even impressed myself with how I calmly managed changed the patter to create some misdirection when I messed up an invisible palm, which allowed me to recover and complete the trick with no one any the wiser.

I like the idea of ending with an unfinished trick and leaving them with a business card (although I'm no where near the standard that I'd be confident taking a paid booking).

Going to try a different pub on Friday night.

abraxus wrote:actually, there's some very good advice (as always) at online visions site, on how to finish your set...

in a nutshell though - start an effect, or very close to ending; then just stop...

...leave them with the card or whatever and say "tell you what, next time i see you, we'll continue with this...." and that's that...wouldnt work in the street, unless its a business card...but its a nice piece of thinking...

I love the online visions site, but I don't think that piece of advice is their best. I suspect it would lead to the punter feeling a bit cheated and let down. I may be wrong, but I simply don't like the idea.

Wow! Sounds like you had the time of your life
What you describe seems to be the perfect routine that suits you, and good tricks indeed. If you are pleased with it yourself, don't change it just because somebody told you to change it. Do the magic that works for you and that you are happy with.
I really think it's funny what you said about different sounds of cards when you riffle I'd like to see them try it.
Cheers !