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It always amazes me how the simple tricks trigger the strongest reaction. Play it Straight by John Bannon is a no-sleight triumph routine that will always fry the audience. It's delightful to watch their emotional response to the sudden jolt when all the cards of the selected card's suit appear face up after three fair shuffles.

I've only been learning for a few months but my first proper performance with a couple of friends had a shaky start. I had explained that I was just starting and they humoured me so I could continue. I did Design for Laughter and used my earlier mistake to my advantage, insisting that she give me a chance even when she saw her chosen card. Her burst of surprised laughter and wide eyed enthusiasm at the reveal was the encouragement I needed and here I am, typing with a palmed card and working on my pass at every opportunity, knowing that there are more astonished reactions to come.

I love magic!

DT
(Darren)

Honestly, with the right people, the right performance, and the right angle, the Balducci has had the best reactions from spectators. You'd be surprised how many people still don't know about it. Just the other day, someone asked me if I was ok and if I needed some water. That truly proves that it's all in the performance (not saying I'm remotely good at it) and not how difficult the trick is.

Josh Clarke wrote:Honestly, with the right people, the right performance, and the right angle, the Balducci has had the best reactions from spectators. You'd be surprised how many people still don't know about it. Just the other day, someone asked me if I was ok and if I needed some water. That truly proves that it's all in the performance (not saying I'm remotely good at it) and not how difficult the trick is.

Agree. It still slays.

The best reactions I've had, recently, came as a result of just having fun with my mother and sister at a local Barnes and Noble. For the hell of it, I thought I'd do a little Hoy book test on them. From there, someone else in the store was listening and watching, then grabbed a few books and asked me to do it for them. That kept snowballing a bit, and after 10 minutes, I had a nice sized crowd of 15 people around me. I got to stretch my legs with it a bit, switching from a few different methods of doing the book test. It was a total blast. I got a nice bit of applause and everything!

It was a nice milestone for me, since I don't have much experience performing mentalism (I'm still a cardie at heart) - so this was a nice baby step for me.

The best reactions I always get are with ridiculously small tricks which I've done so many times they are like 'knee-jerk' reactions.

I'm talking about TT, simple ambitious card, and the old favourite of spongeballs.

Adults normally go wild when vanishing a lit cigarette into their clothing without damaging it. And with the smoking ban now in effect here in the UK, this is made so much easier to 'introduce'... 'Hey, you can't smoke here... look, I'll show you a great way to get rid of that cigarette without evidence...'

Children love visual, comedic effects. Producing multiple sponge balls from your mouth is an absolute killer. I could keep a group of young kids occupied for ages with just a pocket full of sponges.

Anyone gets a kick from the ambitious card—especially if you've got a few unseen and non-mainstream kickers up your sleeve, just to throw the smart-Alecs off the scent.

However—I still find the ID gets a great reaction if used correctly, and yes—the Balducci is still a rare gem, if you get the right time, place and moment.

I always get great reactions with simple tricks like a TT, an ID and a Svengali. The Mindpower deck too especially when performed for a couple or three persons.
The best I can recall right now is with a Svengali. I was performing with a svengali for a couple of our friends who were newly weds. The deck I had on my was on purpose with a 2 of hearts. Before starting the trick I had placed a 2 of hearts inside a frame with their wedding picture without them noticing anything and I performed the trick standing with their backs facing the frame I riffled the cards they selected their card 2 of H of course , then I started some mambo jumbo about their card how it symbolizes two hearts that met each other blah blah and asked them if they had a picture of their marriage they turn.....and up to date they still believe I'm Copperfield

Pace's 'The Web'

This - without a doubt gives the strongest reaction I've yet had.

That said, it is a strong reaction in quite a negative sense

The best 'wonderment' reaction I've had so far is with Harris' Deep Astonishment 2....the initial stunned silence, following the reveal is somehow far more powerful than any gasps, swearing or laughter

robstanley1 wrote:Pace's 'The Web'

Sadly, for me, this makes children run, women cry and grown men shudder. Then again, I guess that's a reaction!

I have to say that the Web is one effect totally overlooked when looking for a reaction. Nice call, Mr Sank.. sorry, Mr Stanley

Yup - it's a real shocker, and not always in a good way (well, not for the poor spec....especially if they've got a dodgy ticker )

In some ways, I'm frequently of the opinion that it's more of a 'gag' than a magical effect...and then I dig it out for another few uses, and immediately change my mind; the appearance of the spider, stuck to the spec's hand is just about the most amazing magic many folks have seen.

Add to this the (understandable) adrenaline rush they get, and it's a killer - just be prepared to duck

I was doing walkaround at my regular spot just before the first band came on and unknown to me was performing to the band.
Anyway as I introduced myself and started to perform the 'all too cool' guitarist just stood there saying he didn't like magic and was borderline heckling me. I did the reveal to my opener (biddle trick) and he immediately went quiet and then didnt say a word.
As my finisher I went into a fork bending routine which is a cross between Banachek and liquid metal. It is at his point the 'far too cool' guitarist screamed with delight, ran off and got all his mates to come over and was acting like an excited child.
He excitedly asked me to 'do that fork thing again' so I told him I would but he didn't like magic that much. Obviously I obliged. It was very funny

I'd have to agree with Rob Stanley.

My mum loves the web, she's always asking me to perform it when she's got a friend round that hasn't seen it.

My girlfriend hates it though. She doesn't trust me when she thinks spidey is out and about.