On Nov 22, 2019, mrsmiles wrote:
Hello Chris,
I used to get terribly nervous so I empathise very much & would like to help with with some words of advice as well as trick suggestions. I've noted that you need suggestions for tricks to do during walk-around that require no table which I will do after some other initial words of advice.

My first point is to also recommend doing tricks that are easy to perform (I list some below) so that you don't add to your nerves by being afraid that the trick could go wrong. A trick going well breeds confidence and an emerging confidence breeds more confidence. So once you get a trick going right, you get more confident and less nervous. This is not to dismiss Danny Doyle's comments incidentally; I think his points are acutely relevant. I think it is a good idea to combine both the awareness of what 'nerves' are - because it does help in conquering them - whilst at the same time adopting the practical strategy of seeking out and performing easy trick to perform that have a good reputation amongst magicians. So, on this practical note, I have some suggestions too of tricks that you might consider doing! Here goes:

1. Firstly your suggestion of Dr Daly is excellent... it is often my opener when I'm doing walk-around

2. Seeings you ok with doing DL's why not do a card transposition in the spectator's hands where they think they are holding the wrong card/an indifferent card ... but it turns out to be their card when they turn it over! You can devise a very quick, short and snappy version of this and it makes a perfect opener and I often do it slightly more often than Dr Daly.

3. When talking about transpo's how are you with thinking about 2 card monte? Admittedly, you need a top change as well with this. For that reason I only tend to do this 3/4 of the way through a gig when I'm flying high with confidence and adrenaline. Although I'm confident these days that move still makes me slightly nervous... so I only do it when I'm really in the swing of things and 'cooking on gas' as they say.

4. In terms of packet tricks how about NFW, colour monte, and my current 2 favourites: Eye Exam, and the trick where the all the colours of the backs change constantly (might be called card chameleon - I do it at every gig yet I forget the name!)

5. Another easy sure-fire hit that's easy and perfect for walk-around is 'Holy Moly' (Jay Sankey). Once you've bought it you could always switch it for using coins that you've drilled holes in if you prefer (I do), but the ethical thing to do first is to buy the original product. A similar trick is 'key master' by Craig Petty)

6. Another super trick that is very easy and not requiring a table is 'Killer Key', again by Jay Sankey

7. Have you thought about paddle tricks? Turbo Stick is all the rage and has a high reputation. I do it myself. I also like the look of, but not got it yet, of 'The Amazing Jumping Arrow'. I tend to reserve Turbo Stick for when children are at a gig such as a wedding, but the tricks is perfectly fine for adults (& I personally tend to do it at tables rather than walk-around even though a table surface plays no part in the trick).

FINAL POINTS: A word about strolling and not having a table: Here is a ridiculously simple point and no doubt you've thought about it, so please forgive me for making it: If you need a surface (a table) how about just getting the spectator(s) to just put their hand out flat (or where necessary both hands) and use THAT as your surface? This opens a world of possibilities - you might want a surface for colour monte but there's now a hell of a lot more open to you... sponges and a hell of a lot more that opens up to you.

Good luck. The thing is in your position go into a gig EXPECTING to be nervous... it takes time for nerves to diminish. Even if you read a lot now and practice a lot now - even though the tricks are easy - just expect to be hit by nerves. If you do they won't intimidate you so much when they kick in (& bear Danny's excellent points in mind too). So, whilst the nerves are in play, make sure you do a trick you know inside out like all the above tricks suggested that you know pretty much CAN'T go wrong. You'll start to get confident fairly soon. Can't promise it at your very next performance but even at that one the nerves should go down a little bit after performing for few different people around the room. Small steps and then one day... you'll be running, and then... flying. I've been where you are... so I hope to see you in this other place where I am fortunate enough to be now where confidence replaces nerves and where adrenaline is an asset, not a hindrance.

Good luck, I wish you all the best.