How did you do that?

I didn't do that! (puzzled) the spirits did....

Q: How did you do that?

A: Magically!

I once said, "I paid over $100 to learn it... I'll tell you for half. Still interested?"

Just joking, but there are some real good examples above especially from K.
YOU ARE A TRIP!

Doing Bizarre, those questions come up much less but if someone still has the cajones to ask, more to assure themselves they didn't really experience what they thought they did, what can I do but say something that will ensure those nightmares will haunt them

I simply explain that it relates to that contract I signed in blood a few years back, but I'm not supposed to talk about that.

I think it is true that people often don't realize that they really DON'T want to know the secret (especially children). But my opinion is that this cliche is most often wrong. They DO want to know, that's why they're asking.

And I disagree that, for those people, that NOT telling them will only make them want to see more magic. I believe the opposite is true. If they're of that curious bent, and afterwards you DON'T give them some plausible explanation as to how you did the trick, I think you'll find in short order that they'll no longer welcome you doing any magic tricks for them.

I get that thing. I think along the line this is going to happen to everyone. My come back to how is it done?? Please just enjoy , after all it's magic. Most of the time that works great and they enjoy the magic and after all that what it all
about.
Alson

Many of these ideas I have used before as well. This is one of those parts of magic that will always be there and, we as magicians have to deal with it.

"How did you do that? !..."

Take it as a compliment that it was enjoyed. People don't expect you to tell. Most often I respond simply:

"Thank you. I'm glad you liked it!"

I have a few 'kids tricks' that I take along. I refuse to explain my good tricks but do share the the 'kids tricks' This seems to help.

Kids tricks are the ones you can get at the supermarket for not much money. Low quality gimmicks and simple tricks.

This helps with some of the guys at work, who I practice my stuff on.

They all loved a trick where a big cube 'magically' changes to a bunch of smaller ones iin the blink of an eye. It cost £1.50. I'd never do the trick in a show though as it's so obvious.

I jut say just keep the illusion it is more beautiful then the reality.. and they agree with it and I show them more. when they ask me to eprform the trick for the 71717th time I don't know what to do.... I cant show them another 1 bc they want to see that 1.,..so ne help is needed on that... plz

How did you do that?"

"With about fourty years of practice!"

I ask them how I think I did it. It's fun to listen to their replies. It also helps you analyze your performance and what not. Since theres soo many magicians in our school, no one cares too much about the secrets since practically everyone knows all the gimmicks and DL. Having people walk up to you and screw up a DL is sad.

A slight twist on the original question, how do you respond to someones proposed explanation?

John:

I just nod and smile. That lets them think they were right on (even though often times they weren't.)

It doesn't matter how they think it was done. Ultimately, they'll try it.. and they'll not succeed. Then, my magic is even stronger. (Even though it's on a time delay )

My favorite has been when I force a card, a few times.. three different ways, and then I do a Hindu shuffle while showing the bottom card. Done correctly, it staggers the audience. It looks like the entire deck is that card.

Jarrod

Cup my hands together and show them my little helper (creature by keith lack) usually they REALLY freak out n stop asking!

and that's practically a magic trick in itself !
This is certainly true, and often stated, but never particulary expounded on.
Can anyone offer any insight or suggestions toward this end ?
What helps constitute a "good" presentation, if you had to try and break it down analytically ? No doubt there may be as many different answers as there are magicians - humor, telling a spellbinding story, but those are broad generalizations, and can be done badly just as a double lift can be done badly.
I may be asking the impossible, but does anyone have any specific tips to share ?

Of course, I am keeping in the back of my mind, the possiblity that not everyone is capable of delivering a truly good presentation - acting talent, charisma, a personable character or fascinating personality are traits that, to a large degree, we simply have no control over. Not everyone can be Britney Spears, or Brad Pit, or Elvis, or Harry Anderson. We are born who we are, and we can improve ourselves, but we have to work with that with which we are born.
You never know unless you try though.

I never refer to any practice. I'll just give them the magic, secret spell, mind power treatment. A fair few will even believe this if you repeat it often enough. Those that don't, the majority, then seem more conduisive to further demonstrations.

"How did you do that? ..."

It's like electricity, I don't know how it works, I'm just glad it does.

This is the answer I came up with many years ago. I like it because it positions my as being humble. I'm not the know-it-all and I'm not smarting off.

Ron Calhoun

Be the first to ask "howdidyoudothat"? that way ur asking them to tell you.

if someone insists howdidyoudothat then tell him as Michael Ammar says " can you keep a secret? he will reply yes, then you say so can I . ;-)

I like Michael Ammar's answer:

"How did you do that?"
"Yes, HOW? That's a good question. As long as you don't ask 'WHY?'"