To see the other side of the coin (pun intended), what's the worst situation that has happened to you doing magic?

I once had 3 coins hidden in my left hand ready to be produced one at a time. They slipped out and fell to the floor. In Wal-Mart! I had to crawl around on my hands and feet to look for them. Once I found them, I was alright. But I sure didn't look to professional to start with. Nor did I feel it. I have since learned an out for dropping 1 coin. But not all 3 before the beginning of the trick.

Blurr

I think the worst thing is going to get into a trick, and realize you dont have everything you need, and you have built up what you are about to do. It happens sometimes.

Worst thing? Performing for magicians, who, after sitting there stony-faced, said my magic was terrible.

Why? "Well, all those tricks are in Bobo's. Nothing new! Add some kickers! You ought to use this gimmick!", and so on.

All they wanted to see was a new trick or sleight. Nevermind that my coin routines have been making them gasp and making them laugh since I was a teen.

The other day at work i'm sitting at my desk job playing with my 3-1 coin. I drop the coin by accident. I hear it hit the floor and do a quick roll. I bend down to pick it up and it's gone. Not gone, as in it's out of site or behind something. I am telling you......this coin was GONE. i spent about 20 minutes on my hands and knees(hold the jokes please) lifting computer and desk, taking apart chairs.... Dan watkins couldn't have done a finer coin disappear. I moved everything out of my office and inspected everywhere. I even checked the cuff of my pant leg and shoes.

needless to say i'm *****....lol

Cuz man.....that coin is gone....

Years back I was doing a program at an
opening of a new golf course.
Tom Watson was one of the guest.

I was starting a card routine(with a new deck) I opened the box,started shuffling,
and they all slipped out of my hands.

I looked down to the mess on the floor.
I can't remember if it was me or Tom who quipped, yes they are all mixed up NOW!

Harris

I was doing some table-hopping at a local restaurant on this sad day. I was starting off by performing the matchbox penetration. In this effect, you start out with the brass block in the "open" position. I offered someone to shake it to feel that there was something heavy in the box. I had him grab it by the ends, as not to let the tray (and block) fall out. Right after he does this, some woman comes up from behind me, and says "Here, I want to feel it". Before I could say anything to her, she grabed the box by the sides and shook it vertically! Naturally, the tray and brass block fall out and onto the floor. Not only did she ruin my effect and expose the secret, but she put a nasty scratch in my new trick! If I ever see her again, I swear...."poof".

doing a scotch and soda effect with a little kid, the two coins didnt nest correctly and he peeled them apart when i tried to vanish the centavo in his hand. when people see a gaff like that they assume everything you do is a gaff and it takes away from your slieghts.