I've finally started delving into packet tricks instead of full deck tricks and was curious how you guys approach your spectators with a packet trick. Do you bring the wallet that you keep them in and go into your trick, or do you have the tricks prepared outside of a vest pocket or pants pocket?

My buddies take out a packet wallet or just show a few cards. I like to take the cards out of a deck.

It depends on the trick for me. Some I carry in a little wallet like Virginia City Shuffle and Color Monte, some I keep in a deck like Double Back. Stand Up Monte I do right from my jacket pocket.

I agree, depends on effect and how YOU are going to approach it. Are you telling a story about how this guy took you for a bunch of money with these 3 special cards (Color Monte, Virginia City Shuffle...) then out of a seperate wallet or pocket is fine where Twisting the Aces you might be much better off pulling from the deck already in play. It will just be up to you and your style. (most specs think every card or deck we have is a trick deck anyway )

I wonder if,after the spectator gets home, they remember if the small packet of cards was removed from a wallet or from a deck of cards...would they even care?

I agree with my buddies PD and Theo here...it depends on how you present it.

I do packet tricks all the time and no one ever seems to wonder why I don't have a full deck. I simply pull out the cards and say something like, "Sometimes a whole deck of 52 cards can be a bit confusing, so I just carry these 3 or 4 cards...Let me show you..." Works like Novocaine.

I also think it all depends on how you present it.

I always knew you weren't playin with a full deck

Thanks for all the feedback, I normally just pull out my packet wallet and people just wait for the magic to happen. Just wanted to see other people's method and seems clear that its not a bother or raise any suspicions.

Most packet tricks I do can be done with normal cards so they can be pulled straight from the deck. Any gimmicked or set up packet trick usually involves cards that don't come in a complete deck, like four jokers or cards with a different colored back that you can work into your patter. At the end of the trick you just put them away and don't worry about explanation, just move to the next effect without pause.

Larry Jennings has a few packet tricks that don't use gimmicks that are worth looking into. I'm sure there are many others that will chime in with their own reccomendations.

It depends upon what your audience expects.
Generally producing a packet is dodgy, your audience will expect a deck, so hide the packet within it.
If they're expecting you to be using gaffed cards (and they will), they'll be looking for them.
As a magician you'll be expected to be "pulling the wool over their eyes" somehow. So your job is to hide that.
Basically make sure the "trick" can't be exposed eg. by having the cards snatched from your hand.
Steve

:D

And Merry Christmas, my friend…And to all.

Just saw jason ladayne pull out a small packet of cards after performing with a regular deck. ' we're just gonna use a few old cards that I collected up, as we're gonna write all over them, and I don't want to ruin my new full deck'.
I though that was a perfectly acceptable reason for introducing a packet of cards if the effect suits?
K

Create plausibility with your presentation...then just pull out whatever you need and get to work. If it makes you feel better to use a full deck dodge, go for it. Me? I do what I told you and haven't missed a beat in decades.

The few packet tricks I've been doing are nestled in a jacket pocket or wallet without explanation. I keep them in collectible card sleeves to keep them looking nice. They do a good job to keep them together/ protect them from bends and folds.

I mostly do packet tricks with non-gaffed cards, so I just take normal deck and take out the cards that I need.

Honestly it doesn't matter... It's up to you....

I've heard everything from "It's better" (not the majority) to it ruins the illusion (the majority) and I'll be honest... The audience doesn't care or know what you are going to do. They are only going to care about random cards coming out if you make it an odd thing. You're a magician, they have probably never seen one in person before, how do they know if it's normal for a magician to have some cards separate from the deck? Maybe you're just a nut for efficiency.

I use to joke before I took them out... Do you have a deck at home missing some cards? Yea these are the cards... Never asked about them beyond that.

That's a great line. You gotta let me know who you;re writer is.

Haha it's a lot of bad jokes and occasionally coming up with a good one that works for me haha

The Fractilicious DVD by John Bannon & Liam Montier has some good info regarding this subject.
Plus, some killer routines to boot. Well worth getting.