What do I do if this happens? Lets say I have a gimmick, and when I'm done, they want to look at it. What do I do? Just flat out say no? But then they think something is up. I would say the best possibility is saying no.

Thanks,

big k

Or say, later, I'm going to perform this next trick. Improvise, when you fail at amazing and in the end are exposed you cease to be seen as a magician. You become a con man or trickster at best. The magic is happening in your audience. This means management is key!

Learn how to manage an audience and this will very very rarely be a problem. Read up on Mike Close's material as he talks quite a bit about audience management.

I usually feed them my hands and say, "Here, check out the gimmick but be careful, I need these for my next trick"

Big K,

Changing the effect isn't a bad idea, but I don’t think you have to change the way you do the effect, change the way you end the effect...

By giving it an ending that goes right into another effect, you help take the heat off the first effect. Cups and balls is an example of this you make a small ball disappear, and then reappear under a cup, the appearance takes the heat off of any "funny" business that you as a magician have to do!

Yes audience management is a “must learn” skill, but routineing can also help this problem.

Sometimes you can switch out a gimmicked object for a non-gimicked object. So then if they ask to examine the object it's not a big deal. This isn't always possible though.

I agree with both, remove the effect and if you want it in the show, wait untill you have the problem worked out. Then add it back.

Oh how many tricks I have in my magic drawer and in my head that I can not show because there is a risk I will get busted.

It all depends what it is. Sometimes I do the retention pass as I am handing it to them. And I look suprised it vanished.

Say: Ok, BUT, there is a $40 examination fee!

Several possible outs:
1) Get rid of the trick. The gimmick is suspicious, thus no matter what, people WILL think it's a gimmick. And they'll be right. And the impact of your trick is lessened.
2) before the end of the trick, start another one. When you're done with the gimmick, put it in your pocket, and continue the other trick. May or may not work depending on the effect/gimmick
3) Give it to them, and hope they don't find how it works.
4) Improve your magic so that they don't feel the need to see the gimmick.

Simply put, I personally think that in close up settings, if a gimmick is seen (so, not a TT) but can't be examined, then it's a waste of money.

P!

In my Medieval camp wandering days I would have pouch full of small objects and dump them out into an availabel plate or basket.

Spectators would then hand me an object and I would perform with it, or ask for an object and they would hand it over.

"How many silver coin sin there? Any about the size of a walnut? Could I borrow it please.

I never mention "examine" "look at," etc. There is no suspicion since I am using "their" object.

There is a special thrill in being able to apparently do a magic effect with any object(s!

All you need is several methods for switch an object during the hand off and back to the basket.

CSB, C/S transo, 2 in hand, etc. all with no problem or suspicion.

[Pause] "I said 'tah-dah.' Show's over." https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K5WajC-U2SM&t=0m18s

Yes! Many years ago, the late Gen Grant published a mimeographed manuscript about this sort of thing. I think he called it the "Challenge Magic Act".

He "carried" a few "utility" props like a TT. It was a good "lesson" in knowing principles! He would do a trick with "any object" that was handed to him.

Martin Gardner's "ENCYCLOPEDIA OF IMPROMPTU MAGIC" had not been printed yet.

This is obviously an ANCIENT thread!

See, the OP! A GIMMICK should never be seen by the audience!

If it's okay I will steal that idea Funsaway

The perfect example of this is the linking rings. When I first started I was asked all the time to see them. But then I changed it you and started doing this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmNjD1oRp4w

Notice how the audience touches the rings a lot during the routine. They have no reason to want to examine them afterwards because they feel as if they have already examined them.

Now in your case, I would suggest finding a way to bring the heat off of the gimmick and more onto something else (lead them down the wrong path) so that eventually they will ask to "inspect the thing you lead them too which is nothing...

For example if you are working with a svengalli (another gimmick that is constantly asked to be examined) I always end with a card to impossible location. I place the deck into my pocket and cleanly show both hands empty. Then produce the card from somewhere impossible. Hand them the card and let them try to figure out how it got there. As icing on the cake I hen remove a different deck (that matches the svengalli) and the card case, put the deck in the case and hand everything to them.

There are several ways around it. Just depends on how you perform. It is like being heckled in a way. They will only really ask if you give them a reason to.

Like others have said. I never do a trick with. Gimmick unless it can be examined after or I can remove it. Such as a sh***

Kindly note: A gimmick is an UNSEEN device. It is, technically, a prop, but, should never be seen by the spectator.

Linking Rings, and "Sevengallis" are visible props with which a magician PERFORMS a TRICK.

Hi! Technically speaking, a sh*** is NOT A GIMMICK. A sh*** is a feke!

PM me, and, I'll explain the difference!