Hi guys,
Just wondering what everybody is doing these days for your opener during walkaround gigs? Im currently using DoubleBack and Stand Up Monte. Just wondered what you are all prefering to use / get the best reactions from please?
Thanks,
Dean

Warning by Koysta Kimlat
Fire Wallet/Extortion by Patrick Kun
Fire Wallet/Extreme Burn by Richard Sanders

These are the openers for each of my three sets for my next couple gigs.

Jonathan

Nice Jonathan, very visual with flames and flashing!

I transform a regular size key into a 10 inch key that's put in their hands.
"Want to see my key to success? I have a motto... Think Big"

It's very visual and jump starts the set in seconds.

I use the Nudist Deck...it is very visual and quick...this grabs their attention and always elicits a great response

Mini Chop Cup or Sponge Bunnies.

Sponge ball from no where, then I lead in to a sponge routine. The idea is from Daryl's Essential's DVD

Cheers guys, always considered doing sponge balls as an opener.

Defiantly sponge balls.

I do sponge balls but not as an opener. When I first approach a group to perform, I need to size them up first and see how they interact with me. I do not want to impose on them by asking them to hold anything or be that physically interactive with them. When I do the nudist deck I do not need their help so they can just enjoy the magic and my interaction with them without having to do anything..just my opinion.

For tables extreme burn and for walk around Crazy Mans Handcuffs.

"Did anyone lose their white knife?" lol... just kidding.

Good idea I am totally going to use that.

I always start my opener with a ring routine.

I try to avoid opening with card effects if at all possible. I usually do stuff with a finger ring and lead into ninja plus with it. Or do a "something with nothing" sort of presentation and produce a coin(s) and go into it from there. If possible I avoid opening with "I am a magician, can you please pick a card?"

Flash coins relit by eric jones is a very strong one that I love to use!

I sometimes open with a transposition in the spectators hands. I ask them what their lucky number is, then use that number card for the transpo. It's not "pick a card," it's easy to follow, and it immediately engages cuz I'm asking them for something "personal" (I add quotes around personal because 9 times out of 10 they say their lucky number is seven.)

If you want a card trick that is not "pick a card" you cant beat the card barf!

My current openers
-Bag4Life > One Coin Flurry (with a jumbo production)
-Crazy Mans Handcuffs
-Sponge Bunnies (only if its a group of girls and I'm short on time)

As more people become aware of you you can then pretty much open with anything. I start the night with those openers but soon just start opening with card tricks and jazzing my set

I tell the audience we are going to start with something that's easy to follow. A Pen. I tell them all they have to do is keep their eyes on the tip, as the pen goes round and round eventually it becomes.......POINTLESS...... Hence- Pointless by Gregory Wilson...I have found to be a very fun and entertaining opener.

RNK