talkmagic.co.uk

Which is your favourite opener gentlemen please?

CArl...

Chicago Opener or Card To Pocket

...Or ILC

Paul Gordon Diminishing?.... Not Likely! and The World's Greatest Card Trick , Lee Smith Icebreaker

I prefer a can opener

But seriously: 'An Impulsive Pemonition' (Experts Portfolio No. 1 - Jack Carpenter)

SpareJoker wrote:But seriously: 'An Impulsive Pemonition' (Experts Portfolio No. 1 - Jack Carpenter)

Nice looking routine SJ.
He has some stuff on dvd.
I may buy some of this material.

CArl...

My card routine always started with the colour changing deck effect (I can't remember the name off the top of my head) from Mark Wilson, very simple and catches peoples attention straight away.

I open with a version of Sleeve Aces, then go into my handling of Apex Aces with a selection. Its a nice classic routine which isnt long and has some visual elements. My patter for the piece also helps set the tone for the rest of the set.

jim

It depends entirely on the circumstances. There are some situations where one opener suits and another doesn't. If it is a quieter atmosphere and it is not so vital to gain audience attention straight away I will do Poker Player's Picnic. In other situations I do a series of flourishes to gain attention. You have to be careful with flourishes and do them in an intelligent manner otherwise they can dilute the effect of the magic but I do believe there is a place for them. Here I am with the flourish opener I use:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QktEi37NBaA

But I rarely open with a card trick anyway. I have been told that Doc Eason holds the view that you should never open a close up performance with a card trick. Don Alan held the same view. My gut feeling tells me that they are right although I am not sure why since I haven't given it much thought. I would like to know their reasoning. I think they are right because for some reason I myself hardly ever open with a card trick. Instinctively I knew I shouldn't but I am not sure why my instinct kicked in with regard to this. Do the other stuff first before you get to the card tricks. I wish I could put up a good argument why but I can't so just take my word for it and do as I say. I am MARK LEWIS and am consequently never wrong.

That was bloody brilliant.

Thank you kindly. Naturally I agree with you wholeheartedly.

mark lewis wrote:I am MARK LEWIS and am consequently never wrong.

I'll bet the wife doesn't no that.

I have never been heavily into cards unless they are a stage effect BUT

As a fairly quick(not too quick) simple visual suprise at the end opening I have always loved:
Ghost Cards, Tarbell 6 page 60

The magician shows 10 cards in a fan.
Asks for 1 to be thought of.
Shuffles them.
Holds them in one hand then covers them with a handkerchief.
'Concentrate on your card.' ' I give myself 2 chances to find it'.
He reaches under the hanky. Pulls out a card. NO.
Another.. no.
'What was your card?.
It is named.
'Oh dear that one always gives me & the other cards - great trouble.'
He pulls off the hanky and all the cards have disappeared.

Allen Tipton

Yes indeed, Allen. There is also a similar effect using the whole deck rather than just ten cards in Greer Marechal's book "Magic For The Millions" which is one of my favourite books
although not a very well known one.

mark lewis wrote:I have been told that Doc Eason holds the view that you should never open a close up performance with a card trick. Don Alan held the same view.

...which can be a bit tricky in an all-cards act...

mark lewis wrote:My gut feeling tells me that they are right although I am not sure why since I haven't given it much thought. I would like to know their reasoning. I think they are right because for some reason I myself hardly ever open with a card trick. Instinctively I knew I shouldn't but I am not sure why my instinct kicked in with regard to this. Do the other stuff first before you get to the card tricks. I wish I could put up a good argument why but I can't so just take my word for it and do as I say. I am MARK LEWIS and am consequently never wrong.

Amen!

I usually start with somehing self working to calm my nerves, something like Gemini Twins