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jmcgrath Regular user Tomorrow I'll make another 147 Posts |
And now for the answer that no one likes…
I don’t do magic for my opener. I spend about the first 20 seconds introducing myself and getting a bit of a rapport going with the table. This allows me plenty of time to see if they are interested and get a feel for the mood. For me, and I don’t pretend that it’s for everyone, this is the best opener that I have. My first trick however is generally Kaps Money or if the table is really lively my sponge ball routine. Regards, John
John McGrath
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J R Thomas Regular user Champaign Illinois 138 Posts |
Dittos Scoot Guinn... for the most part.
For years I opened with Chicago Openers. It's simple, easy to follow and startling... sounds like some women I've dated. That's another story. Lately I have been using Steve Freeman's Time Traveler. All the spectator has to do is say stop. The story is interesting and it is short. I have found the slower I do it the more amazing it is... sounds like some women I ...wait I'm off the subject again. Harold.... I'm curious... why didn't you like Scott's #5? You made a point to mention it but never elaborated. Given the effect you do, the reasoning would seem to support it, even if there is no audience participation. Geoff... have you ever opened with Carl? This is not one of my lame humor attempts at your expense. Given what you have said about him in other posts... he would seem like a possible opener.
Those who hear not the music
Think the dancers mad |
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Joe M. Turner Loyal user Atlanta, Georgia 248 Posts |
I have used a variety of effects as openers, and frequently will use several different routines as openers even on the same night. Often it depends on what the table looks like.
Some of my most frequent openers: 1. A simple sponge ball routine 2. A torn & restored sugar packet routine 3. Troy Hooser's "A Charming Chinese Challenge" (a coin routine) I have used Crazy-Man's Handcuffs and other routines, but the above are my top three. For a couple of weeks I used a Lippincott Box and vanished an initialed quarter to begin, then found it at the end. It didn't seem to play as well as I hoped, though. I had several people guess that it would be in the box. (Heck, at that point why even bother to open it?) Yes, I know that's probably just a routining problem on my end... sigh. Doing good magic is hard work. JMT |
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bumbleface Elite user 434 Posts |
I'd always open with something that will get the audience interested and not make it too long, yet it should have a powerful effect.
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knightmagic98 Regular user Frisco, TX 143 Posts |
here is my .02
I almost always open with sponge balls...here are my reasons why.... (1)it is unique: I start with a purse frame, and then make two out of one...this tends to catch them off guard. (2)It is VERY visual: Depending on the atmosphere (like the other night when karaoke was blaring in the background) this is something they should have no trouble following (3)It get's someone involved and everyone else wants to be involved (4) cuz I want to thats all |
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Scott Special user UK 799 Posts |
Heres mine,m
I usually approach a table for the first time holding a bunch of lottery tickets which are actualy made up for the Kaps paper to bills effect. I tell them my name and explain that I am collecting the tickets for the management, that one was left on each seat and have they filled them out yet as they are all guaranteed winners. When they have stopped looking under the seats etc I show them the paper to money change and then put them into my fire wallet by which time they know what I am there for. Scott |
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S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
I tailor my opening to the table; I may use half-a-dozen different openers in an evening, depending on my assessment of the patrons. Amongst the openers I use, and the reasons, are:
1. Number 2 Pencil: I like to use this when there are children at the table because they can immediately participate. I'll tell them that I'm the "cheap" entertainment, then bring out the pencil, saying that this is what the host gave me with which to entertain everyone, and asking if they know what it is. 2. Coins Across: I learned a routine from Doug Brewer using a Chinese coin and three English pence. When people tell me they like magic with money, I'll start with this because the money is unusual, and I can begin by asking "Have you ever seen one of these?", holding up the Chinese coin. 3. Crazy Man's Handcuffs: Another "cheap entertainment" opener. I always start by asking if people know what these are; they'll usually answer "rubberbands" but tentatively, so their interest is piqued. 4. Darwin Ortiz' Newest Tens: If I want to do a card routine this is a great opener because I can ask "Have you ever seen a magician do magic with a deck of cards?" and, when they answer "Yes", say, "Well, I don't do magic with a deck of cards; I do magic with only two cards: the two black tens." So what's the message? Start with whatever effect you want, but start by getting them involved. Notice that every one of the openers I listed starts with a question to the audience. |
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Marcus Selle New user Berlin, Germany 58 Posts |
I open with Crazy Man's Handcuffs or a color changing knife routine.
Both are neither too long or too complicated and the magic starts to happen almost immediately. Marcus |
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Andy Charlton Veteran user Palma Nova Mallorca Spain 311 Posts |
I either open with Invisible deck, or a Rubberband routine.
If it's the band routine, after my greeting I say "The first Miracle I always do is called the borrowed ring Miracle.......... It's great, the only drawback to this is that I have to borrow a ring........" Sooner or later someone offers and I am into ring on and off band (Ammar's book) Crazy Man's Handcuffs and maybe band around wrist (Greg Wilson, On the Spot I think) VERY IMPORTANT. However much or little hinting/asking/Begging I have to do I ALWAYS make a big thing about how easily they lent the ring to me, how much harder it usually is, how this means they are great people and we are going to have a lot of fun together for the next few minutes. Very occasionally It becomes obviouse early on that I'm not going to get a ring, At that point I make a joke of it "I don't blame you, sooner or later someone will lend me one, then I can get out of here, till then I'll have to carry on working" etc. then into CMH. I NEVER Push if they don't want to lend one, and I NEVER NEVER make them feel bad. My thoughts Andy
"Keep that smile on your face, that excitement in your eyes." - Don Driver
Check out www.andyandjeansbigadventure.com or www.andysmagic.com |
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Mauro New user Italy 49 Posts |
Hi everybody...
I usually start with sponge balls routine.. but it may change: often someone call me and ask for a specific magic they have seen (or glimpsed) me performing in a previous table... I usually satisfy their desire.. cheers Mauro |
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PMVIVA Elite user Argentina 460 Posts |
Hello, I've watched a Doc Eason Bar magic video, I don't know how the video is called, but he opened his bar routine with a nuts effect, is about the plot two in the hand one in the pocket, is enternained and very fun, is quickly and you do magic with a very unusual prop to do magic.
I think is the best. I also do a four coins production and then I begin with coins across or coins trhu table. I also like the idea of opening with an sponge ball routine. I also like the Card cash effect when a $10 bill appears in the middle of two cards, when you have show both cards empty, and then I perform an Bill routine, like cut and restored bill, floating bill with ITR, and the dissapear of the bill. That is my opìnion about the opening effect. MAGO68
If you have an apple and I have an apple, when we exchange them we both have an apple. If I have an idea and you haven an idea, when we exchange them we both have two ideas.
Supporting the open source community. |
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Joshua Lozoff Inner circle Chapel Hill, NC 1332 Posts |
Some great advice and reflections here so far. I usually start out with a card effect (since I only use cards...)
I like starting out with Fechter's "I've Got a Surprise for You" because it plays with people's idea of what card magic is. Twice. First they think you have brought a card to the top of the deck, which is kind of neat, but expected. Then it's the wrong card. Then They think you're bringing it out of your pocket. A little more magical, but still expected. So it plays with their expectations which most folks find very fun. And the magic is great, too. I love Invisible deck/Brainwave, but unless it's presented kind of cornily, it is flat-out the most amazing and impossible magic ever. I can't imagine starting with it because where would you go from there? After truly reading minds, are you going to make a card jump from one packet to another? What a let-down. For those who open with this, how do you follow up? |
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Elwood Loyal user 287 Posts |
I found that approaching a table with either a sponge ball or length of rope in your hand kind of suggested to everyone that "Here's the magician!"
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Bascomb Grecian Loyal user Redding, Ca. 202 Posts |
I use a suggestion "that is not on the menu",
I then produce my brainwave deck. Click here to view attached image.
Welcome to The Magic Cafe'!
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Genio New user 54 Posts |
I think that opening with a flying card is nice. It gets peoples attention VERY quickly.
Respectful Classic Magic.
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Andy Charlton Veteran user Palma Nova Mallorca Spain 311 Posts |
The Doc Eason Effect is called "All Screwed up" and is available for$5.00 from his website at http://www.doceason.com/ As mago said It's also on volume 3 of his Rocky Mountain Magic Video's (However I recommend buying all 3. IMHO The best set of "Real world" Magic Videos anywhere.)
Cheers Andy
"Keep that smile on your face, that excitement in your eyes." - Don Driver
Check out www.andyandjeansbigadventure.com or www.andysmagic.com |
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
"All Screwed Up", that has become a signature piece of Doc Eason's, originally appeared in Genii magazine in the '70s; it's by Gary Frings.
Doc Eason has repeatedly pointed out that he is not the originator of the trick, but it doesn't seem to do much good! cheers, Peter Marucci showtimecol@aol.com |
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MagiclDave New user Maryland 50 Posts |
I use the trick called Your name here and it is a really great effect that i got from adam rubin, the maker of the trick i would deffinetly recomend this, it really catches their attention.
-Dave |
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sleightly_impressive New user 16 Posts |
One of my favorite openings is to walk up to the table carrying a small bar tray w/ a deck of cards or a silk or what ever on it. I then introduce myself to the group and say, "I'll be your entertainer this evening. Would you like to see some magic". THis gives the group the chance to opt out and you haven't totally annoyed them.
SI |
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