Sorry if this kind of question has been asked a million times already. It's a tricky one to search for and I'm still new around here.

You're in a social setting with a group of people who've never seen your work before and they've just found out you're a magician. They politely request a trick, you agree, and they hand you a deck of cards.

What trick do you do?

A lot can depend on your environment, of course: what's the mood of the audience, what are your angles like, seated or standing, etc. But you probably have a few effects that show up frequently when you do impromptu like this.

For me, it would probably be "Synergy" as presented by Oz Pearlman, inspired by Joe Berg. It's totally impromptu, and easy to remember on-the-spot. I may follow up with "Shuffle First, Ask Questions Later" by Kostya Komlat because I've practiced it so much and had great success so far in performance (only a couple performances, but they were all very successful).

I do my impromptu version of OOTW. No set up, just launch into it and it kills everytime.

Honestly I think I perform Fortitude a lot simple and quick to the point. Mishap Poker Deal, FBI card trick, an a Spectator Finds the Aces is nice to do.

I do my own version of Nick Trost's "Spectator's Card Trick" (almost identical to Daryl's "Untouched"). It's extremely easy to do, allows me to focus on presentation, and creates a connection with my spectators. Oh, and it's completely impromptu.

I would feel equally as comfortable starting with Harry Lorayne's Impromptu Out of This World, but sometimes I like to hold that one back for when they want even more.

I think you should do whatever is a very comfortable trick for you. Obviously if people are asking you do some magic, you're at least off on the right foot. That is, you're not forcing it on anyone. So relax and have fun. Go with it and amaze them since they want to be amazed!

G-g-g-gemini Twins.

HaLo Aces. It's somewhere on the internet (where I do it with kings), if you want to bother trying to find it. HL.

My Invisible Card
Apocalypse January 1993 - Perverse Magic thread of the Genii Forum May 1, 2009

I was gonna say HaLo Aces, but this guy named Harry beat me to it! Seriously though, Mr Lorayne has zillions of effects with a borrowed deck! click on his banner! Lynn

Probably card under foot. Or if it is a quieter atmosphere Poker Player's Picnic. But perhaps we had not get into that again. (see other thread) I would set the deck up right in front of them.

Lynnef: What/which banner? HL.

Mr. Lorayne, HaLo Aces is basically at the top of my list of effects to learn in the near future. If I remember correctly, it's described in Volume 2? I'll be picking up this series very soon, hopefully within a week. I look forward to what looks to be a trove of good material.

Prefer if you order directly from me, Michael. Then you can even have it autographed!!

Sounds Great! I just sent in my order for Volume 1! I'm anxious to read it.

Your order received, , but as I e-mailed you, you did it though the website not through my personal email address - the first one listed below (with the word "earthlink" in it). Wanted to post this for anyone else who wants to order. Best - HL.

I like to perform Triumph, Jumping Gemini, The Ambitious Card Trick, or my own effect "The Grid Trick" (PM me if you want instructions-free for everyone at the Café).

Card to Mouth. Every time.

Untouched or Search and Destroy

Right now I am into Tapalac/Diplopia or Barrie Richardsons impromptu ACAAN (with a 'tweak' of my own).

For multiple spectators I begin with Richard Kaufman version of Everywhere and Nowhere that was published in Apocalypse. Otherwise if I have a table = a Jerry Sadowitz effect about doing a card trick backwards.If a table isn't available I recently began performing a strolling triumph by Peter Duffie, called Beast with Five Fingers

Harry Lorayne's Easy Indicator, but starting with an ace on top. Then I can go into any four-ace routine, such as twisting the Aces.

Ciao for now

Erik