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Ok, here is the problem.

Im big into my card tricks, and haven't been doing magic for a long time so I just perform a few odd tricks here and there for friends/relatives etc etc.

The deal is, when I have shown them a trick, they get antsy and always say "Do it again" and so on, always wanting to butt and change the proccess to figure out how its done. Obviously, even as a noob I know that performing the same trick again straight after is pretty stupid, but they get annoyed that I wont.

Ive taken to laying false tricks and things into the move, making them slightly obvious so that the gibbering masses want to change the wrong part of the trick, but sometimes its not enough.

Does anyone have any suggestions on a good way to say "Please bu**er off and just enjoy the trick" or any non-exposing tips on concealment and false leads? I generally like to make it look like I have switched something into my hand or such, but there isn't too much fiddling the tricks can take at the moment because I am still definitively a beginner.

Thanks

Have you thought of doing another trick using the same equipment with a different outcome, instead of resorting to the same again? Easy with cards...

Perhaps you could link your effects, so when you're asked to ' do it again ' you can say that you'll do something along the same lines and proceed with a similar effect that has a different outcome.

Or summink.

Routine yourself. I mean, though there are a lot of places now selling single effects for a small fortune, you'll rarely be able to just do one effect and get away with it.

Unless you're rubbish, then they just wont want to see anymore.

Assuming you're not, and if your audience......or gibbering masses.....are asking for more you obviously have them intrigued, so you should be pleased! Use it as an excuse to take them further into the rabbit hole.

they're your family and friends, the most difficult of all crowds...

just tell 'em to p!ss off and mind their own business...

It’s not difficult to get around this problem. It can be done in two ways.

Firstly you could try to learn effects that can be done using different methods.
This way, if they ask to see something again, you say “sure”… and continue .


Secondly, you can get around it by learning more magic.

Then if they ask to see it again, you politely say, “I tell you what, let’s try something different” and then show them a different effect.

Both these simple things are common, and we all use them now and again.


or you could follow Ian's advice.

(

DenmarkKilo wrote:Have you thought of doing another trick using the same equipment with a different outcome, instead of resorting to the same again? Easy with cards...

Thanks, its sounds daft, but I never really thought of that. I guess I'm still in the proccess of trying to hide every single thing. Fear of failure!
It is actually something I've been working on with a rediculously simple (yet seemingly effective) "this is your card" trick that doesn't require any real sleights.
But it has surprised me that people (even close friends) can be almost aggressive about wanting to catch you out. I want the tricks to entertain, rather than just be a puzzle to work out.

If that makes sense....

Matthius88 wrote:But it has surprised me that people (even close friends) can be almost aggressive about wanting to catch you out.

You'll find that's usually down to what Iain said, it's because its your family and friends. Try it on strangers if they'll give you their time, you might find they're more receptive.

I'm guessing you have the basic card sleights under your belt? Pass, glide, DL etc. Just knowing these can give you a pocket full of tricks if you know them. The Royal Road to Card Magic and The Encyclopaedia of Card Tricks should be high on your reading list if not.

Close friends are usually the worst for trying to figure out what you'e doing. My mum's a nightmare, if she comes to any of my shows, I'll ofter get a phone call days later from her 'I've just worked out how you made that silk change colour'. She'll still be thinking about things for ages after everyone else has forgotten about them.

If I get the show us that again question, I usually just smile and say 'nope, that's your lot for now'.

gillows wrote:I'm guessing you have the basic card sleights under your belt? Pass, glide, DL etc. Just knowing these can give you a pocket full of tricks if you know them. The Royal Road to Card Magic and The Encyclopaedia of Card Tricks should be high on your reading list if not.

I haven't learnt the glide yet, but I have got the pass and DL to use.

The Royal Road to Card Magic I have seen mentioned so much on TM, sounds like the book I should be getting. Ive been reading Mark Wilson's complete course in magic, and I have the Encyclopaedia of Card Tricks on its way but the damn post strike is going to delay it

you should learn a glide. It's in wilson.

You have RRTCM, ECT, and Bobo's Modern Coin magic (well thumbed obviously ) sitting on your bookshelf. You're a magician already.

Not even magic can help Royal Mail.

gillows wrote:Not even magic can help Royal Mail.

Damn, that was the secret I was looking for

The best way around your initial problem is stop doing tricks. Keep reading I'm not being insulting. Routine the effect into a story. A story has a begining a middle and a definite end. When the effect is at an end the props, (cards in this case) are gone. There is really nothing to go back too.

I'll use Colour Monte as an example. You can tell the story about how you were walking down the street and some guy stopped you to try your chance at luck.

The bet keeps going up and up until it is doubled and you reveal the kicker ending. Toss the cards on the table so they can get a good look and then put them away while explaining the moral of the story is never play cards on the street, or whatever. Point is you told a story and now its done. Granted in colour monte this is easy as it is built into the effect but the psychology works and it works with any effect.

Don't be the trickster guy, put the real work into it and be the magician you will be amazed at how differently people will react.

My answers always take some working out I'm afraid but I make no apologies for asking you to think. What are you delivering when you perform? A trick, an illusion or magic? Do you ask for understanding or belief? You don't ask them to believe in your magic (or develop your skills to make it irrefutable?) Maybe you should. Then the answer to their demand that "the magic only works once" or "the magic has gone" or"the magic has run out" may hold credibility. There is true magic in the world - do you wish to create it? Or perform tricks that everyone wants to know how they are done and thereby share disbelief? I am old and weary but I still hope to create magic that nobody questions because it truely is real. The answer in in here - somewhere. Maybe I will explain in future posts for those that cannot see. I wish you well. Kryzal xx