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I'm in a bit of a pickle here folks.

So I've just gone into 6th Form, to study RE, English, History and Art. So essays and canvas'.

But that also means that I will have a lot of free lessons, and we also have a fairly big 'common room', where our year and the year above go to 'chill'.

So isn't this just the perfect opportunity to seal my repuation for being the 'joker in the pack', and letting everybody know that I'm the magician in school? (Luckily where I live, there's no competition )
Well yes - I have done. I've only used stigmata so far, and what great results I got out of it; litterly 120 keen-eye's were upon me, and 120 of those eyes looked in disbelief as I finished the trick, in a word - the feeling was phenomonal.

But I need some recomendations on tricks aimed to fool people at the age of 17 - 18; stuff that hits hard, but not too complex. Its not so much C.U.P.S, but the bare necessities to make myself a near god to the spectators.

Is there such a trick(s)?

I really need your help!

Thanks,

Mr Ben

Does the common room have a pool table in it? If so, a billiard ball routine would look impromptu.

Maybe a 'card to workfolder' could be good

If you get on a school bus, and any of your friends have student cards or bus passes you can do a tenkai palm and pretend to chuck it away, I dont' know, just some ideas

Note to everyone 'If something I said is exposure please say and I will edit' .

Mr Ben wrote:I'm in a bit of a pickle here folks.

So I've just gone into 6th Form, to study RE, English, History and Art. So essays and canvas'.

But that also means that I will have a lot of free lessons, and we also have a fairly big 'common room', where our year and the year above go to 'chill'.

So isn't this just the perfect opportunity to seal my repuation for being the 'joker in the pack', and letting everybody know that I'm the magician in school? (Luckily where I live, there's no competition )
Well yes - I have done. I've only used stigmata so far, and what great results I got out of it; litterly 120 keen-eye's were upon me, and 120 of those eyes looked in disbelief as I finished the trick, in a word - the feeling was phenomonal.

But I need some recomendations on tricks aimed to fool people at the age of 17 - 18; stuff that hits hard, but not too complex. Its not so much C.U.P.S, but the bare necessities to make myself a near god to the spectators.

Is there such a trick(s)?

I really need your help!

Thanks,

Mr Ben

From what I understand and believe, magic is ment to Entertain not fool people. And to make yourself a "near god"... um, it sounds like your in Magic for all the wrong reasons with the wrong mind set.
Tricks that hit hard? Well thats a very very long list. All it takes is the right presentation. Get some books- Mark Wilsons Complete Course in Magic, Royal Road To Card Magic, Bobos Modern Coin magic, Stuff by Ammar, Tarbles, Apocolypse books. Thats more than enough right there.

I think (hope) that Mr Ben was just being a bit silly when he talked of being a god. If he wasn't, he is probably heading for a crash.

There are two problems with the request. First, you're asking us to do your job for you. This isn't a specific request for a specific trick, but asking for (effectively) the cream off the milk, for no effort.

The second problem is... even if some of us were minded to tell you the answers...we couldn't anyway, because we're not you, and have no idea what you're like. One man's meat is another's poison.

For both those reasons, David's advice is spot on. Put the time in and come up with the gems that shine brightest for you. Don't expect it to arrive on a plate. Pretty much anything worth getting is worth working (and waiting) for.

If all you want to do is learn a few tricks to show off in breaks, you can learn those. Have a look on any internet magic site and you'll have a list as long as your arm of cool stuff that (sometimes) does what it says.

If all you do is tricks, sooner or later, someone may rip you to shreads. That's even more likely in a school than among adults, but it can happen with people who are supposedly grown up.

Learn how to entertain people and you've got an audience. Yes, you will still get idiots, but the rest of the people will be on your side.

Right - I am going to be blunt here, and give you the real world advice.

I am in 6th form, and the best thing I can say when it comes to performing magic, is...well...don't.

Trust me on this...eventually you will be known as "Magic Man", and eventually, that is all you get known for. After the first half a year, it gets weary...just think about what it would be like in year 13!

Yeah, do it at a social (but I was too busy pulling girls ) or maybe whilst playing cards throw in a trick, but don't do a performance...trust me, I talk from experience of performing. Over a year on, it ain't fun

From the horse's mouth!

Knowing and/or performing just one trick does not make you a magician, particularly when it's something such as Stigmata.

Get a book and use that time to read and learn. Better still, use the time to concentrate on your education.

Indeed. Now mate, I am in year 13. I'm trying to get known less as "Magic Man" and it;s working, but unfortunately once you are labelled, it ain't easy. I'm starting to, when I do perform, be more psychological (or it appears to be ) so they don;t ask as much...because what I do "can be learnt in a psychology lesson"

Basically - now I am more working on pulling this girl I know, rather than performing, and by Christmas, you shall feel the same

But unfortunately, you will also have been labelled by late october.

I know that this would be hard...and hell, if I were you I wouldn't want to take this advice - what magician can resist showing off? I know I can't. But if you do take this advice, you shall never know what I mean.

If you do not take this advice, you shall get labelled. And then you shall know what I mean.

Good luck sir!

The last chapter of Derren Brown's book puts this better than I could, but as with any hobby, try not to bore everyone by performing a trick every day. Sure, do tricks, but don't do it so often as to irritate people.

And use the time to find and perfect tricks from one of several books people will recommend

Just my two cents, anyway

David The Cryptic wrote:
magic is ment to Entertain not fool people.

I think its safe to say dave, that some 'foolery' is involved?
And yes, I was just being silly when I said about being a near god

Blapsing, I understand what you mean, and I don't irritate people by doing it (at least I don't think I do), but its very interesting reading all of your opinions - thankyou

Mr Ben wrote:

David The Cryptic wrote:I don't irritate people by doing it (at least I don't think I do)

Yes, sorry, I'm not saying you're an irritating person
I'm just saying that if you do it non-stop every day for several months, it might get irritating. But that's just my opinion, and other people might be able to say otherwise

I'll keep quiet now

Hello Mr Ben.

Loads of people are offering sound advice here but I hope the tone of some of the posts doesn't come across as discouraging. This is definitely not what it is, promise . I think it's great that you're into magic and I wish I had started when I was at college.

Do you do any card or coin magic? I ask this because I agree with what Dave the Cryptic says here:

Tricks that hit hard? Well thats a very very long list. All it takes is the right presentation. Get some books- Mark Wilsons Complete Course in Magic, Royal Road To Card Magic, Bobos Modern Coin magic, Stuff by Ammar, Tarbles, Apocolypse books. Thats more than enough right there.

And Dat8962:

Knowing and/or performing just one trick does not make you a magician, particularly when it's something such as Stigmata.
Get a book and use that time to read and learn. Better still, use the time to concentrate on your education.

I would avoid the latest gimmicks and learn some of the fundamental principles of magic. Coins, cards, whatever takes your fancy. I know a few magicians who see this as a kind of 'apprenticeship', you see. You'll get much more satisfaction out of it.

Magic is an evil mistress mind you, and don't go eloping when your work is due... You can always give in to her temptations once the exams are over. I see you've picked a pretty hard bunch of A levels there. Good luck with those, yes?


Mark

Blapsing_Beard wrote:Trust me on this...eventually you will be known as "Magic Man", and eventually, that is all you get known for. After the first half a year, it gets weary...just think about what it would be like in year 13!

Hmm... exactly the same for me!

And hold on... I believe these "free periods" are in fact "study periods" where you are supposed to be STUDYING! Just kidding mate!

"Study Periods" LOL

Periods where I go in to town and spend some cash or chat up the ladies or...yesterday we had an epic game of frisbee in the local park.

However, I've decided to take a "break" from magic due to sixth form, I just don't see me having much spare time on my hands...

haha - I actually did do work in my study period yesterday!

Though the day before I just took a girl back to my place and...errr...worked with her