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I wouldn't take anything Mark says too seriously. He plays the curmudgeon for laughs. He will, of course, deny this if pressed. It's what comes from going over to live in the colonies; all the gullible punters he could ever wish for, but still that nagging sensation that there's something more fulfilling that he can never get back to.

I get the question every time I perform more or less. I use answeras that are already probably on here. My favourite at the moment is" I don't know". I sometimes pre-empt the question by saying after I have done a trick "I have no idea how that works, it just does". If my audience is right for it I tell them that if I told them how it was done the Magic Circle would send a death squad round to kill me and or them!

Had some very interesting discussions earlier this week with a notable mentalist - the basic conclusion being that if you set up what you're doing as a trick... and nothing more than a trick, then the response will always be "how did you do that". The response he aims for every time is "when did you discover you could do that".

Yes, that's a big ask from a spectator - but achievable. I also don't believe this is exclusively for the realm of mind-reading effects - it's all centered around how you frame what you're doing.



G

Great tips guys, thanks a lot!

Funkstar my boy. You are being impertinent and it behooves you to show respect for your elders and betters. Especially much, much, much, much, much, much betters. When I said I was one of the best magicians in the world I was actually being modest. I am actually the best but did not want to say so in case you thought I sounded conceited.

Surely you are not condoning exposure of one of the greatest card tricks of all time? It is true that I did not send the other 37 year old child a private message but that was because it is better for the good of magic if I spread the gospel to all and sundry so that they can learn similar lessons. Besides he didn't seem the type of person that I particularly want to talk to. One does have one's station in life to consider, after all.

If you need to teach some horrible brat kid how to do a card trick then stick to the 21 card trick. Do not expose one of MY tricks.

As for stating your own opinion you are perfectly entitled to do so as long as you appreciate that it is of no importance whatsoever. I am the way, the truth and the light in all matters magical and no other opinion is of any consequence unless it coincides with my own.

You are now dismissed. Do try harder in the future.

I actually laughed out loud

Mark

I have no wish to get involved in a pie throwing contest with you. you obviously enjoy it too much and I don't want to make you look bad.

Perception is reality, and I know what my perception is.