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Hi guys,

I'm wondering if it is worth purchasing a close-up mat or not?

I suppose much of it comes down to personal preference, but is a close-up mat considered an essential item for progressing with card magic?

Regards,

Liam

It depends on what you intend to do. If you go out and perform at a corporate event, restaurant or wedding then you don't need one. They are good if you are into gambling demonstrations. I did card magic for many years and never once used a mat.

I'm very much a card man but I've never used a close-up mat either. I'm sure they're nice to use and if I were to use one I probably wouldn't buy it. They seem fairly easy to make yourself and although I'm not a regular poster, I remember reading not too long ago about someone asking about how they would go about making their own.

I'd agree though that it'd depend on where you're going to be using it though. If you're planning on sitting in one place performing then it would be ok but just imagin having to carry a bit mat about with you all.

Some of my coin routines need a soft mat

I'll carry one if practical, otherwise I'll improvise.

I would say definitely yes.

There are many reasons:

i) At its most basic, it makes cards easier to pick up (when compared to a hard surface)
ii) It makes your performance look more professional.
iii) Can extend the life of your cards, as they are not going to get covered in crumbs, or dunked in beer.
iv) It has a strong psychological impact. With the correct approach, spectators will learn that the mat is your 'perfoermance area'. It can forstall 'grabbers'. Also it can be used in terms of stagecraft. Spectators will assign more importance to cards that are at the front of the mat than the back ( see 'Magic & Showmanship - Hennng Nelms, and 'Strong Magic' - Darwin Ortiz).

Of course it depends on your relationship to the cards. If all you ever do is 'perform a bunch of tricks for your mates', then it prolly won't be much use. But if you are interested in making your performance look as professional and as polished as possible, a mat is the only way to go.

SpareJoker wrote:I would say definitely yes.

There are many reasons:

i) At its most basic, it makes cards easier to pick up (when compared to a hard surface)
ii) It makes your performance look more professional.
iii) Can extend the life of your cards, as they are not going to get covered in crumbs, or dunked in beer.
iv) It has a strong psychological impact. With the correct approach, spectators will learn that the mat is your 'perfoermance area'. It can forstall 'grabbers'. Also it can be used in terms of stagecraft. Spectators will assign more importance to cards that are at the front of the mat than the back ( see 'Magic & Showmanship - Hennng Nelms, and 'Strong Magic' - Darwin Ortiz).

Of course it depends on your relationship to the cards. If all you ever do is 'perform a bunch of tricks for your mates', then it prolly won't be much use. But if you are interested in making your performance look as professional and as polished as possible, a mat is the only way to go.

I love posts where people state categorically their subjective opinion as a fact.

It's not "the only" way to go. It is one way to go. Many professionals can manage their spectators without the need for a close up mat to show their performance space. Many don't want specs to think there is something funny about what they are doing so they need a mat, that might be 'trick' in some way. Above all, I think most close up magicians work out an act that doesn't need a table, aside from (as stated earlier) gambling dems.

In my opinion, a close up mat is a bit pretentious and pointless. If you are worried about getting some beer on your cards, I guess you aren't charging enough for your gigs.

Yep! When you are doing a busy corporate event, wedding or restaurant there simply is not the space for a close-up mat. Anyway, in that kind of situation you need to be looking at effects that do not require a table as you do not want to be moving plates to put groups of cards down. Ask the workers and see how many actually lay groups of cards down on tables during these such events, i bet it is a small number.

Thanks for the advice guys,

I think I might get one, but probably a bit later one, when I've advanced a bit further.

I suppose, the type of magic I want to progress to and do, doesn't really need a mat, but I do think for certain tricks a nice coloured mat gives the trick that extra bit of panache, which is always a bonus, because the more striking, the deeper effect it will have on the audience.

I don't want to turn pro or make my living from magic, I just want to be able to do decent tricks for friends, relatives, & people at gatherings, etc. But above all, I just want to learn card magic for myself.

And I'm currently have lots of fun doing it.

If you are performing in Caberet, or stage and use a small table, Its usefull to have a surface with a bit of give. This is teh only time i would consider using a "close up" mat.

in all other enviroments you should strive to have as much as possible in their hands, or framing you. Mats make people look down. It could therefore be any Tom, Dick, Or Harry doing the magic.
Take a note from Jason on teh Magicians saturday. He performed his coins, on a hank, stretched out between his spectators. This gives a soft surface, and is still in their hands. It also stops them from Grabbing things.

molesworth wrote:I love posts where people state categorically their subjective opinion as a fact.

It's not "the only" way to go. It is one way to go. Many professionals can manage their spectators without the need for a close up mat to show their performance space. Many don't want specs to think there is something funny about what they are doing so they need a mat, that might be 'trick' in some way. Above all, I think most close up magicians work out an act that doesn't need a table, aside from (as stated earlier) gambling dems.

In my opinion, a close up mat is a bit pretentious and pointless. If you are worried about getting some beer on your cards, I guess you aren't charging enough for your gigs.

I think the first sentence "I would say..." is a pretty clear indication that these are my personal views based on my experience. At no point did I use the phrase "It is a fact that..."

Indeed many professionals can manage their spectators without the need for a close up mat to show their performance space. Similarly, many proferssionals do use a mat precisely for the many reasons I presented (including the two citations). Your presented opinion carriers no more weight than mine, but at least I gave the reasons why I thought so.

As far as not using a mat because "[performers] don't want specs to think there is something funny about what they are doing so they need a mat, that might be 'trick' in some way" I have never heard this before, from any spectators or performers, not to mention that it smacks of 'don't run if you're not being chased'/ 'magicians guilt'.

And finally, if you think that the entirety of a seated card act can be about nothing but 'gambling dems' then I can only assume that you knowledge on the subject is limited at best.

So next time, instead of just contributing snark and ill-informed opinion to a genuine question, try a little harder, eh?

Oh, and btw, it's not beer spills I'm worried about, it champagne I'm worried about, dear boy. Different class of clientele alltogether.

Never. They should be banned



Of course that's just my opinion as not my style. I am sure in some cases it would be essential. Just depend in your style if magic. I think best to learn without one then you will still be able to do the routines on the fly if need be.

"Show me something" errr, ok hang on just got to pop home and get my pad.

Never seen Gandalf with one.

If I am doing a set routine with a table (my own, I would never set one up on somebody elses), then I use a small, red close up mat that I got for £5 from house of magic. I find it helps stop things from rolling away, and looks nicer than just using the table top.

If I am worried about surfaces to work on in other environments (i.e if I need to spread cards on tables etc) then I carry a handkercheif and spread that out. It means I can do magic with that as well (like card through hankie), and it's portable.

In fifteen years of doing nothing else for a living I have never yet come across a paid situation where a close-up mat is needed, or even desirable.

Of course, if you plan on performing for friends and relatives in your own home, or a similar controlled environment, then it might be for you. But it will be for you, not for your spectators. They don't care.

spooneythegoon wrote:(like card through hankie)

An often overlooked, yet totally brilliant trick

As there is a distinct note of acrimony and lack of tolerance entering this thread, it's been edited and locked.