my current repertoire

A quick review of current tricks and where I got them from, and how well they go down. I intend to keep trying a review each week or so to make sure I don't stagnate. Also once a week I like to get all my kit out and double check everything is where I want it (are all the cards there etc). So today I've run through all my open decks of vanilla cards, and rethreaded my spider pen. Also made a quick note of things I need (new thread reels and batteries for the pen that come in replacement packs)

Do as I Do - From Penguin Magic - The participant cuts half the deck. Magician and participant each fan out their half of the deck and each removes a card from the others deck. The card is then reinserted and the participant's half of the deck is cut. One half of the cut is placed face up, followed by all of the magician's half face down on top, this then has the participants placed on top of it face up. The participant takes the whole deck in their hand shakes it a little and the deck is fanned out, face up. All the cards appear faced up apart from two, the participants chosen card and the magicians chosen card.

Reaction:- For a 'self working' trick the reaction from this is very strong. As of yet no spectator has noticed 'the move' nor worked out the mechanism. The orders given by the magician are clear and simple and avoid people doing things during the trick that might spoil the effect. The fact that the participant is involved from the start by cutting the deck and is always in possession of a lot of the cards make the end result a real puzzle for them. the fact there is a transformation taking place in their own hands at the end also delivers great impact.

Card in Hand From Ellusionist.com's Crash Course Participant is given free choice of a card. The card is placed back in the deck and the deck shuffled by the magician. The top card is shown to not be the participant's card and is placed in their participants hand face down. The magician riffles through the pack and the participant's is told to jab the card in and keep a hold of it. The participant's jabbing card has NOT revealed the chosen card, however the card in their hand has transformed into their chosen card.

Reaction:- A very powerful response. Though a little shaky the first few times I performed this as it was my first trick which wasn't 'safe'. There is no forcing or trick deck. there's card manipulation and control and so it's quite scary as there are many places to get yourself 'lost' in and you don't know if it's worked until the end. After a lot of practise my confidence grew and now I hit the mark every time. This trick has left many people genuinely stunned and confused as I walk away. (well limp away)

Here then There From Ellusionist.com's Crash Course The participant is shown the top card and it is places the palm of their hand. Their other hand is placed on top ensuring the card is safe and can't be moved. The magician then takes the next card and shows it to the participant before gently rubbing it, face down over the hands of the participant. When the cards are flipped over again they are shown to have swapped places.

Reaction:- Again a very powerful effect. Whilst needing a little prep to set up (a few moments) it feels safe in that atleast you know as you are perfoming the routine if it's working or not. Much like "Card in Hand" this has people genuinly stumped, and seemed to provide a massive emotional effect. This seems to be the strongest trick I have right now for finishing on.

Heat- Two Card Selection From Ellusionist.com's Crash Course A trick for to participants and a magician. Each participant chooses a card at random. Each card is shuffled into he deck in turn. The magician then claims to feel the heat on the cards that were just held and finds one of the cards quite quickly. He then spreads the pack, face down and uses the selected card, holding in his hand and the hand of the participants who's card still need to be found and runs it along the pack until the participant feels he should stop. the card held in his hand is turned over to reveal that card is the missing chosen card.

Reaction:- Only performed this twice. Once to a magician who recognised the method from "Card in Hand" and another time to a muggle who spotted what the card would be and turned it over half way through the trick. I think this is a good trick, one to perform INSTEAD of "Card in Hand" when you have two people who you want to involve in he magic, but not to be done in the same set as "card in Hand".

So there's the main repertoire with a vanilla deck. I'll post other tricks I know later in the week but these are the ones i"m concentrating on at the moment, and aim to build on a trick or two a week.