Help – People Want to Examine My Gimmicked Playing Cards

Christian is worried about people asking to examine his gimmicked deck of playing cards. He writes:

'I use a Pop Eyed Popper deck. The spectator maybe ask for a closer look at the deck of playing cards. That's not possible.'

That's a really good question, and one that is asked quite often, when magicians are worried about using gaffed or gimmicked decks of playing cards. Here are 5 tips for what to do when you find yourself in the situation when a spectator asks to examine your deck of playing cards.

1) Why they are asking?

If a magic trick has been routined correctly and the magic builds to a suitable climax at the end, your spectators should be reacting to the magic that they have just witnessed. It's an issue of 'engagement and reaction'. The magic trick should entertain them, and draw them into the experience, so the magic isn't perceived as a 'puzzle'. If you find that spectators just ask testing questions, at the end of a trick, look at your presentation and think about ways to make the magic have more impact or for their reactions to be increased. Are you unintentionally presenting the magic trick as a puzzle? Are you signalling that the magic trick is just a 'question' that prompts the spectator to think of 'answers'. Changing a few lines of presentation and see if that fixes the issue.

2) Look for gimmicked decks of playing cards that can be switched in and out of play.

Many gaffed decks only need to be introduced into play for a short period of time. Once they are used, they can be put away or switched out for a regular deck. Think about ways of switching your decks, or ditching out the gaffs when they are no longer needed. There are many devices on the market that will switch a deck easily if you prefer to avoid sleight of hand methods.

3) Build in convincers.

Many of the better gimmicked or gaffed decks of playing cards have built in systems to convince spectators that the decks are normal. The Pop Eyed Popper Deck is designed to be spread both face up and face down, so all the cards are shown to be normal. Try to avoid making a big deal about the fairness of the playing cards you use. It should be assumed that they are normal, so over proving the point can work against you and raise suspicion. The routining of the magic trick should be developed, so the playing cards are shown as much as possible in a natural way throughout the trick.

4) It doesn't happen often.

Much of the worry about spectators asking to examine your cards happens before many beginners start performing. They think that spectators will automatically be looking to try to catch them out. Part of this feeling comes from being a magician. As you have been focusing on the method for the trick, it's easy for you to forget that the method is not central to the attention of your audience. They only see the presentation and magical effect that is produced. This feeling can be reinforced for beginners as they tend to perform for their friends in informal situations. Your friends probably enjoy nothing more than trying to tease and catch you out, because that's what friends like to do generally. It's just as much fun for them to challenge you because they are not in a situation where you are there to perform for them. The normal rules of play are very different between a group of friends having fun, and a group of spectators watching a magic performance. In normal performing situations, it's actually VERY rare that people will stop the show to examine props.

5) Relax about the situation.

The most important thing to remember is to relax about it. There isn't anything wrong with simply putting the deck in your pocket if you start to get challenged and giving the spectator a big smile. In just the same way as a stage illusionist wouldn't let everyone rush up onto the stage and examine their illusion equipment. If you find yourself in the situation where a spectator asks to play with the deck, simple pop it into your pocket as they ask the question. Laugh and move on to the next thing that you want to show them.

Got some advice about how you handle people asking to examine your playing cards? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below:

What Should Magicians Do If They Drop Playing Cards Whist Performing a Magic Trick?

by Merchant of Magic Leave a Comment

It doesn’t matter how much you practice, how hard you routine your magic tricks, or how often you perform, sooner or later you will drop some playing cards, fumble with a prop, or knock something over.

Dominic Reyes recorded this short video about how to deal with situations just like this:

The secret is simple: Don’t stop and draw attention to it.

Spectators take cues from you about how to react and behave. If you communicate that it’s no big deal, that’s how it will be perceived.

Just acknowledge that it has happened, show that it’s no big deal, with a smile, and carry on with your trick. If you really do have to stop and pick up an item you have dropped, make sure you don’t stop ‘the action’. Ask the spectators a question, tell a short anecdote, anything to stop the moment becoming ‘dead time’.

How to deal with magic tricks going wrong.

How to use a ‘Magicians Out’.

Help! – My magic secrets been exposed.

 How to reduce your nerves when performing magic tricks.

How Magicians Perform Magic Tricks to a Large Table

by Merchant of Magic 1 Comment

By Dominic Reyes

Carl writes:  ’What’s the best way for magicians to perform magic tricks at a large table?’

That’s a great question. It’s easy to perform at small table of 4 – 6 people, but what happens when you have a large table of more than 10? What should you do, if the host has arranged the tables all together in a long row? We thought we would give you some tips.

Where to stand.

When you walk up to a table, look for a gap between two people that are not in conversation. If you suddenly appear between two people talking, there is a chance you will be ignored. Not being noticed by the guests next to you is a strong signal to the whole table. Not the impression you want to communicate. Find a space which isn’t hidden by large objects on the table, so everyone can see you. A visible space, between two people who are not already ‘engaged’ will mean that they both stop and look at you. Everyone else can see that you have arrived, and that people are paying attention.

Capturing attention.

A large table, by its nature, has a lot of people around it. That means that it will have plenty of stuff happening just as you approach it. It’s easy to go unnoticed, unless you make sure you can capture the attention of the group.

When you walk over to a table, some people will notice you and stop their conversations to pay attention to the new arrival. Some may think you are a waiter, and have come to bring something to the table, whilst others will simply ignore you because they are deep in conversation. It’s vital that you are confident at this point. If you sneak up to the table and stand there waiting for everyone to stop what they are doing, you may be in for a long wait.

Introduction.

It’s time to say something. Address the people on the opposite side of the table. Introduce yourself, and say briefly what you are about to do. Make eye contact with several people as you do this. Your introduction is about starting a conversation with the whole table.

If conversations continue.

Resist the temptation to ask people to stop what they are doing. Instead, use an indirect way to gather everyone into the show that is starting. One way to do this, is to pick a volunteer and ask the whole table to give them a round of applause for helping you, this will politely end most conversations that are happening because something very interesting is going on with the rest of the group. It’s also very enjoyable for the table and a great signal to give to the rest of the room.

Involving everyone.

Use magic that gets people involved. Ask questions and get people interacting with other people around the table.

•   If you need a card signed tell a few people to sign their name on it or draw a silly picture on it.
•   Ask a question for a show of hands: ‘So, who here, has ever been a magician’s assistant?’
•   Get people voting : ‘Please put your hands up if you believe in magic?

Move around.

Don’t stay in one spot through your whole act. Circling the table as you address people between tricks will make people track you. As you move, ask a question or tell the table something, so they follow you. Moving around keeps the energy going and captures the attention.

The secret.

It’s all about giving people something to do. They clap, put their hands up, volunteer someone else, answer a question, follow you as you move to another spot, or get involved by holding an object. If you engage people ALL AROUND the table, you can easily hold the whole group’s attention.

The long table.

The worst table a magician can ever worked on is the long table. This is a popular room set up in very large events, and can be a particular challenge for new magicians. Often, one side of the table is close to a wall, so it’s not possible to travel all around the group. In these situations, it’s best to break the table into distinct groups and work your way down the table. Apply exactly the same techniques described above, but treat each section of 8 people as their own group. Perform different tricks to each section.

Performing your magic tricks at a large table is not as hard as it looks. It’s all about audience control, and that is 99% about giving people fun things to do, a reason to participate, and the social signals that a ‘show’ has started for them.