talkmagic.co.uk

I'm guessing by reading some of these threads that there are some serious magicians in here. I'm not looking to get into magic seriously, but I like doing tricks down the pub in front of my mates. At the moment I have one trick, magic pound coin where the penny disappears. Everyone loves it, but they all say do another... well I'm a one trick pony! So I've been looking around for a similar trick, doesn't have to involve coins, but something I can do in a pub or at a party. Any recommendations?

Welcome Zed.

The best advice in your situation would be to ascertain what degree of fascination you have with magic.

If you REALLY want to do some 'wow' stuff, you might have to spend a few £££s.

If you just want 'magic tricks' you might have to spend a few HOURS PRACTICE. (Many tricks require sleights or moves which aren't easy for a casual beginner to grasp)

However, if, as you say, you just want some fast-hitting, easy to do stuff which is almost self-working, here's a couple of pointers:

To be a bit of a Derren...
http://www.amazon.com/Self-Working-Ment ... 0486238067
Self working mental magic, a great little book
http://www.nothingupmysleeve.co.uk/mark ... -deck.html

To be a bit of a Dynamo...
http://www.penguinmagic.com/product.php?ID=1365
http://www.nothingupmysleeve.co.uk/mark ... d-key.html

Have a browse around the forums... people are pretty helpful here (and humourous) and should be able to help.

What we WON'T do is give any secrets away, as you've already pointed out, there are some 'serious' magicians here.

Welcome to the forum!
Have a nice time!

Be aware this isn't a forum where you will find tutorials or how-to's

But you will find a lot of great reviews and stuff about tricks. And if you have a problem with one you can ask!

I have almost the same interest as you have but I do want to start at the basics so it would be easier to handle the rest.. IMO

Hi Zed and welcome.

One of my favourite tricks is a card trick by Peter Nardi called Knock 'em Dead.

Easy to do and well impressive, here is a link to the Talk Magic review

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic1603.p ... nock++dead

Best of luck!

Why not pick up a book, so you can be more than a 2 trick pony.

Mark Wilsons Complete course.

Royal road to card magic

Bobos Modern Coin Magic.


All have tricks that can be done in a pub like setting.

Apart from the above recommendations I would also add that you check out Card College Light.

Lots of simple yet effective tricks that are well explained and easy to learn. You should have each of the tricks learnt with 3- to 60 minutes and then it's practicing the performance side.

Street Magic by Paul Zenon for under £10 inc P & P [EG from Amazon] will give you a number of the sort of effects you are looking for. All beautifully illustrated with colour photographs too. My only criticism is that there is no Index! There are about 50 effects altogether, I would estimate.
Street Magic is a bit of a misnoner as they are mostly well suited to bar, dining table etc. I will write a review of it for the Forum, because surprisingly there does not seem to be one.
He also introduces some basic coin & card sleights that you may be encouraged to develop, after the success you achieve with the more ''self working'' tricks.

David The Cryptic wrote:Why not pick up a book, so you can be more than a 2 trick pony.

Mark Wilsons Complete course.

Royal road to card magic

Bobos Modern Coin Magic.


All have tricks that can be done in a pub like setting.

These books are your best bet. You'll also have to grit your teeth and read these through and through to get the most knowledge.

But in accordance with those books, a few interesting TT effects can never go wrong.

Do you have a real interest in magic, or just want to know a few tricks?

If your just looking for some quick tricks to amaze your friends with then the local joke shop may be a good place to look for trick based on gimmicked props. Usually not very expensive and with some good preformance you can entertain a crowd.

If you really wanna get more serious, or more in-depth with magic, then look up some of the books mentioned above to get your start.