I like... Saltshaker vanish/through the table, zombie roll, and spoon bend.

If a can borow a cigarette, I do a short routine with it, like vanish it, sticking it up my nose, ripping the filter off and restoring it.

I also like the saltshaker through table with a borowed coin. I follow up with watch the coin by Mark Nathan Sicher, and if I hapends to have some wax on me I end it with coin on ceiling.

Jonas Karlsson
Vibono Magic
Sweden

I just pull a knife from a roll really easy, but pretty cool

I like sankey's penetrating straws

If there is a dollar bill on the table or bar, I do the bill tear- it is always powerful to borrow someones money to do a trick- especially tearing up their bill. Don Wilson

Mr. Clean Coins Across.

Decoy and Keven,

What version of coin to sugar packet are you discussing. (I'm not asking for the methodology, just a reference). Thanks.

I've found just about anything can do, depending on the 'perception' of your abilities before you even begin. What I mean is I've done something as simple as write a 'prediction' down and do a simple force of 5 objects on a table. Might not be that effective if you were to just walk up to somebody, but when you're with people who already are a bit of a 'believer' in stuff you do, it can be fantastic.

Oh, and one other thing. There was this guy who had really become a little too freaked over some stuff, and (I couldn't believe I even tried it) I did the 'prediction' (for lack of a better word) of a card where you have them pick a number between 1 to 4, then pick a color red or black, then pick one of the suits. (where they 'often' pick 3 of hearts) AMAZINGLY he followed it step by step, and I had that 'prediction' sitting under his hand the whole time. (I wrote the 'card' value and suit on a piece of paper)

After seeing his reaction I'm quite certain he'll always remember me. Anyway, just a fun story I thought I'd share.

There is a great little prediction trick that I like to do involving sugar packets. I forgot where I got the effect from but it is pretty much like using the old double-sided quarter and predicting the date on the remaining coin.

I use about 10 sugar packets and number them from one through 10. I make my prediction on a napkin to which number sugar packet will be left remaining. The spectator gathers up all the sugar packets, shakes them in their hands and throws them up to land on the table. All sugar packets that land number side down are eliminated. When one sugar packet is remaining, my prediction is turned over and the number matches.

Life without a thumb tip is no life at all. I buy them by the dozens and lose them in dry cleaning like there was a future to it. But there is always something that you can do with it that is specific to that meeting. If nothing else, you can trade business cards or come up with enough money to pay the tip or the tab. Yep! I'm all thumbs. I wonder what the other fingers are for?

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

I disappear when the check comes.

I like to use Sankey's "Stirring Silver" It's a great penetration effect using a spoon and a borrowed ring. I first learned it off of Sankey-tized I believe, but it is also on his "Best of … " DVDs. Not sure what volume off the top of my head. I'll have to check when I get home.

Before I start, I think it should be mandatory people list Creators and the Source behind some of the lesser known effects so we may locate them.

Two effects: One is from Magic for Dummies. It requires a small set up but you could carry it with you anytime.

Effect: You take a packet of sugar and empty the contents into your fist. The sugar disappears. All is examinable. Secret: Take a sugar packet poke a pen sized hole in the bottom and empty the sugar. Plant the packet or switch it in. Rip the packet at the side with the hole. You are clean. The rest is acting! People enjoy watching this effect as I act like this may not work and I might look stupid. It creates suspense.

2nd is from Johnny Tremain's Encores 3 video. A truly unique 1 dollar bill tear. You borrow their bill and immediately rip it! It's stunning. I won't give away the secret but PM and we can share effects. No thumb tip! There bill is actually ripped! You end clean with both hands shown.

I'm a fan of salt shaker through table and T&R napkin, though I have started doing a burned &R napkin now, as burning the napkin is more visual and I think it's a bigger shock.

Cheers

In addition to many of the options listed I'll do a paddle effect with a butter knife and bits of napkin stuck to the blade with water.

Hahahahaha! My favorite is "Italian Spoon" but I cannot remember who did it on the Tonight Show 15 years ago or so. It's self-working but looks remarkably difficult.

Glass through the table.

How to cheat at poker...Yellow Springs Library.

M

My favorite impromptu restaurant trick is the vanishing salt shaker, presented as a coin vanish. You know the trick, the coin stays, the shaker vanishes.

I did this at DisneyWorld for my family, and my wife, who thinks my magic is pretty tame, was truly amazed.

As it happened, one of the most famous magicians of all time, Merlin the Magnificent, was strolling by. My youngest then maybe three proceeded to repeat the trick for Merlin. Just as she had just seen me do it.

Of course, nothing vanished from under the napkin. This startling revelation upset the child so much that she made everything vanish by brute force, waving her arms frantically side to side. (It looked like a version of removing the table cloth and leaving the table still perfectly set for dinner.) We weren't charged for breakage.

Merlin said, "Impressive technique." Totally deadpan.

This is the funniest magic trick I've ever seen.

I like to do a balancing act. Spoon and fork with toothpick balanced on edge of glass.