These days, I would do a thought-of-card to wallet.

The question was relative to standing on a sidewalk - to me that means no table. I was surprized that no one mentioned an ambitious card routine.

I think the Ambitious Card is a great impromptu effect.

I Usually start playing with unexpected card locations, so my answer is: my ACR followed by Biddle Trick

:)

Now it's stuff like that that blows me away! How in the world can you have someone THINK, no pick, but THINK of a card and know what it is?? Do they actually think of it?? If someone could give me some information on this effect and tell me where I can learn it I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you. -Cory.

A lot of you guys are saying Chicago Opener. I've never thought of doing an in the hands Chicago Opener. I would think that it would require too much audience control. I mean, wouldn't you have to have somebody hold the off-color dupe? And wouldn't it be the most natural thing for them to peek at it? That and the effect that the effect as I know it works best with a tabled spread to show the changed back the first time around, and to show it not there the second time. That is the standard handling. Is there some presentational angle that would make this effect good in the hands?

Just do a spread in you hands. I forget, is the Chicago Opener used with a gimmicked deck, or is it just a set up deck? And what's the effect? I forgot all about it.

Didn't that wonderful, amazing, awesome Penguin video Born to Perform teach you "everything you know to go from beginner to professional?"

There are many thought of card locations in the literature. One of the easiest, most powerful, and direct thought of card divinations is in Bannon's Dear Mr. Fantasy book. Definitely get that book, you might even think he was as good as Oz Pearlman!

Back in time by Jay Sankey.

I previously said the Ambitious Card, but if it was with a borrowed deck, I would do Biddle Trick, Two Card Monte, and MY version of the Ultamate Transpo. None of these require a deck preperation except the 2 card monte, and I can do that before their eyes.

Here is my recommendation for a Card magic dvd. Get "Oz Pearlmans Born to Perform Card Magic" that is the best card magic dvd ever! I said it once and I'll say it over and over! GET IT!!!! It teaches EVERYTHING!!!!!

So basically, you only do the four effects that are on Penguin's Born to Perform video. Have you ever considered branching out a little? Broadening your horizons a bit? Card College is a wonderful thing....

Oh no, I have tons and tons of effects, but if someone gave me a deck of cards, that were unprepared, those are the FIRST I would do. Then If they wanted more, I could certainly do lots more. But like I said, those are the FIRST ones I would do. And I certainly don't like Oz Pearlman, personally, I think he doesn't make a very good magician, but that particular dvd teaches some very useful tricks and sleights. And I am actually not buying any more CARD magic dvds, or books because I don't need more card effects. I got pretty much everyhting I need to make money now. And so far, Ive been doing good.

One with a borrowed deck is Fingered Number 3. Hey let them ink up their deck. LOL just kidding but they take THEIR deck as a sovenir.

I do card in pocket sometimes, or what I'll do is make the card vanish from the deck, aka palming it off and putting it in my pocket, then have it appear in my wallet folded up. I could do this without a duplicate, and have them sign it aka mercury card fold and palm it to the wallet as I take it out. But it is easier and more effective this way because they take it out.

Snowball Aces by John G.

Magicman90210,

your comments are interesting. One second your saying how youd love to learn how to find a though of card, the next your saying all you need is the oz tapes (which teach everything apperently).

When I first started, I was the same. It killed me to not know something, and when I didn't know, I just played it off like I didn't care.

Now, I love getting fooled. Sometimes I ask NOT to know, just so I can enjoy it for a little while.

If that's you at all (and it may not be, I don't know) admit you have a way to learn and ask for help. that's what this place is for.

In person if someone told me that, ide agree with them, and then walk away, writing them off.

Is that bad? that's for you to decide.

On a side note, I agree with Scorch, OZ is awsome.

and how come no one said AC yet?

I like a signed card to pocket

Chicago suprise, again.

One of my favorite thing to do and always deliver great reaction, but I don't think it fits to the described situation by the OP: on the street in (probably) an offbeat fashion. For me, Back in Time is more of an elegant card magic that has its own time and everything's properly timed and played.

My pick of the trick is the card to mouth. That's it, no ACR or anything prior to that. Or if I happen to have a pen/marker with me, I'd go for card to pocket. Those two tricks FRY everybody, and I believe it's because people don't expect a trick to last only for a couple of seconds yet the impact is pretty impossible. It plays a lot with the rhythm in your mind AND in the spec's.