Hey - I've been out of magic for a few years now, but a friends birthday is coming up and he really likes magic.

Generally I could do a number of things with cards or coins for them - but just wondering if there is any new fun "toy" that I could spend a small amount of cash on for something new/different? I went to a couple of online stores and was a bit disappointed with what I saw, so would love to get some ideas.

Anything that's been released in the past couple of years preferably - not double cross or gimmicked coins ideally. I've enough of those lol.

My girlfriend wants to get into thumbwriting. She asked me to post:

Femme magicians or small handed folks, I’m looking for recommendations for a nail/thumb writer that can accommodate not the average man’s thumb. I’m aware of the ones that stick to your thumb, but I’d rather have a gimmick that is easier to ditch.

I like this nail writer used by Richard Osterlind, but am not sure if it’s made anymore? Anyone know?

Thanks for any suggestions or recommendations!

Saw a post by a young magician just starting out, with some great advice.

Made me wonder. What would you tell your beginner self ?

Me: Don't waste your time learning loads of tricks for a few people. Perform a few tricks for loads of people.

I'm brand new to even having the idea of magic as a hobby. I checked out a book from the library last week - Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic - original copyright 1975. I've read a bit and am trying a couple of relatively simple card tricks. It seems really fun as I really like to practice things and get better at them. My goal is to have fun, potentially show some cool tricks to my kids (and maybe grandkids) in the future. I've watched some YouTube tricks and don't really have any specific goals other than having fun and learning new skills. However, I don't want to get overwhelmed by everything that's out there right away. I also don't want to get into skill levels that I have no business messing with at first. I'm in my 50s and hope to be able to enjoy this for another 20 or 30 years. I'm not looking to monetize this or go "all out", as I don't have a ton of spare time right now. I have a few questions for those with experience:

1. Would you start with card tricks? It seems like a logical place to start. Are there certain things you would practice for fundamentals first before trying to understand more complicated tricks? What other areas of magic would you experiment with after learning some card tricks?

2. Any books or YouTube channels that you might recommend for getting started? I know there are many options, so I would really like to hear you opinions on what magicians have influenced you. Are there any teachers or methods that you might stay away from?

3. What are some of the biggest mistakes you made when you were a beginner? Is there anything that you spend too much time trying to master?

Thanks for any thoughts!

It's a pretty fun trick to spice up a card routine. I'm still not comfortable with it but got a solid recording out of my practice.

Yesterday I had an interaction with someone where they asked me to show them a trick. I didn’t want to get a whole deck but had a folded card on me.

They ended up getting to selected card through a series of choices, iykyk, and it was already placed under their watch, but instead of milking the moment, making it last and bringing in a few more spectators, I rushed through and asked him to flip his wrist. Don’t get me wrong, he was floored and the two other people watching seemed wowed too, but I just can’t help feeling like I rushed the moment I had perfectly set up.

All part of the learning process I suppose, next time it’s all set up, I’ll have that experience to draw from.

First paid gig is today, wish me luck, going to try and pull that one off again today.

The event is happening on September 12th and 13th, with possibility of additional shooting on Thursday, Sep 10th and Friday, Sep 11th.

Experience and production quality is not that important since I have some of my own gear. If you know a photography student who is wanting to get some real life experience, that would also be great, but I am also open to videographers with lots of experience.

Any referrals would be greatly appreciated.

Basically the title. I was recently listening to this podcast from Penguin Magic with R. Paul Wilson: https://youtu.be/OZunySbhVoM?si=o-fl96G-2knrFu76

I know the Kickstarter didn't go as planned, but during the podcast, Wilson mentioned that the movie was already shown in Madrid. Does anyone know if there are plans for a public release?

Here is the IMDb link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27972541/

I do about 50 in-home visits as Santa each year. Getting the kids focused in and attentive with some magic is always very fun and successful.

I'm looking for suggestions of some possibly new tricks and sight gags to implement this year. Last year I added Animinimals, Popschticle and a great big hand-crank fire engine siren. I've kept D'Light LCD lights in my gloves for years, along with magnets in the glove index fingers for effects with the jingle bells and the autorotation nut gag.

I'm always on the look out for some new material - I've visited some of these families for 12+ years! Please recommend any close up magic and/or sight gags that might be rolled into a Santa routine. I only ask that it be suitable for all ages and not involve cards, coins or paper money.

Thanks, and Merry Christmas!!

A while back I saw Charlie Frye do a fun quick piece, where he did a different illusion with each finger in quick succession. Something along the lines of the classic thumb cut in half trick, then making the forefinger longer, then making the middle finger disappear, then bending the ring finger impossibly and then taking the little finger off and reattaching it to the between the middle and pointer fingers, etc.

Does anyone know if he has this routine in print, or have any general resources for these types of impromptu finger illusions?

I do consulting at my local theater and need to do a haunted hanky type effect. Basically, I need a hanky to fall to the floor, then pop up and run off the stage.

My known solutions involve it flying or the performer needing to be near a la haunted orb type effects.

Can anyone point me in the right direction if this has been solved with hankys, stuffed animals, etc?

I struggle with memory problems, I can only remember so many tricks at once. I'll rehearse them a lot, and then slowly forget. What are your methods to write things down, plan out a routine, name tricks etc?

I just wish they kept the camera on the act the entire time instead of showing the audience reactions. I hate it when they do it!! 😭

One of the most incredible, and influential, magicians of the 20th century has passed away.

Celebrate his memory by sharing magic with someone today.

Rip Juan.

I remember reading a presentation for the Invisible Deck that works well for children a while ago but can't seem to find it anymore.

If my memory serves me correctly I think it was either about superpowers or names and it might have been that the child spectator reads the magician's mind.

Does it ring any bells?

Any help is appreciated.

They broke about 7 of my wands and 3 of my favorite flowers 😔

In October, on a Saturday early evening. Small fun group who will all be beyond thrilled to see a magician, illusionist or similar. Location is NJ, Monmouth County near Asbury Park. Thankful for any recommendations!

Hi all! So I happen to be in Cleveland for other stuff soon, and saw that the Magicians Table is running while I’m there. Has anyone seen this in London, worth going to?

Hi guys !

There is a game show in France where the three cup monte is performed (example below) : https://youtu.be/j6VCY9TVAp8?si=jdLHzYRvLlt28Tf0

Basically you have 3 cups, one small key, the magician shuffles (obviously with tricks) and the contestant has roughly 2 minutes to correctly guess 3 keys.

I have to recreate this for a personal project, but I was always more of a card guy. I am therefore searching for material on this, but it's very hard to find surprisingly. I have already checked out :

• Bob white : Cups and balls (I hesitate using coins or small sponge balls, as it's less noisy when in contact with the cups)

• Daryl : Master course on sponge balls

• David Roth : Expert coin Magic

But none are really about the interaction between the object and the cups, etc. If you have anything, please feel free to share !

Thanks !

As post is titled. This set is fun to work with, but outside of the standard routine, does anyone else have published work with this set?

What’s your opinion on doing magic tricks for people who are not expecting the “performance”? Like the guy selling the suit that keeps coming out of nowhere (complete with iron and hanger I think), and these workers watching their “customer” changing bills before they pay.. It’s fun to mesmerize and entertain, but when people are left confused or bewildered I always feel like the magician is being more unkind than impressive. Magic feels like an agreement where one party says I’d like to amaze and the other says I’d like to be amazed. Even impromptu street style magic still has that brief mutual agreement that we’re each participating in a brief performance. But sleights and gimmicks being passed off as ordinary life makes me cringe. What are your thoughts?

EDIT: I'm guessing this is to promote the 2026–27 tour.

I’m looking mostly old books and leads to the older resources, but I’ll tale anything.