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I'm getting a signed spectators card to wallet ...There is only 25 released and I've got one of them, I know someone who has one and he said it's the best trick he owns by far and a great addition to an ACR routine , so I'm gonna go ahead and get that...

Good call.....you won't regret it at all! Like I said....so versatile!

I don't want to poo-poo any of the sound advice that has been given so far, but I thought I'd share my tupence worth.

When I work at restaurants, wedding receptions, pubs/clubs, etc., I generally carry with me two packs of bikes (one may be special), and one pack of tarot cards. That's it.

Someone looking to make their living in the area of restaurant work, I would advise to read RRTCM, Annemanns, and Absolute Magic. Also learn how to read palms (Complete Idiot's Guide to Palmistry would do), and read tarot cards (Complete Idiot's Guide to the Tarot would do). Then when you approach a table, do a few card tricks, read their minds, do a spot of fortune telling, and bid them good-night. One table = 10 minutes = 3 tricks & one palm reading with lots of psychobabble in between. The in between bit is in fact the most important part of the routine and is where the magic is established in the mind of the specs. If they beg for more (and often they will) choose a new spec and do a quick tarot routine.

So, 2 packs of cards and one tarot deck. No need for TT, IT, ropes, sponges, and goodness knows what else. If you have too much gear on you a) your pockets will be stuffed and you'll look like the michelin man, and b) you'll actually rattle as you walk. And don't be tempted into carrying a million pieces of kit in a small bag around with you. You'll look like a shampoo salesman, and it looks very unprofessional when you're rumaging through the bag to find that killer trick that you were sure you packed.

Now, that's just what works for me. I'm sure other people work very differently and that works perfectly for them. I suppose the only way to really find out what works best for you is to get out there and do it. Experience is the best teacher after all.

Enjoy!

Some very good points.....I don't carry around more than about 4-6 items/effects per night. I do have a regular restaurant performance each week, and need to keep up some variety from week to week. I do find that cards are nice, but having a couple of "no brainer-visual effects" like TT's, IT, etc....are a nice change of pace for both the worker and the spec (especially if they are regular specs each week)

Simple is key, knowing exactly what is where in your pockets, etc....is important to look smooth and polished.