Let's say you have a bunch of magic tricks and you're wondering how to
structure them into a routine that's suitable for the restaurant environment.

You want to create at least three routines of three tricks each. You need three routines because if you perform at a table and then perform right away at a nearby table, you don't want the first group of people watching in an attempt to figure out your tricks. Sure, they may watch anyway, but
at least they'll see you doing something different which will make it harder
for them to catch you.

Here's a basic guideline for the structureof your routines:
A coin trick
A card trick
Something else

This is advice I got from a great restaurant magi and it's a great
starting point. The something else at the end is a big pay-off
effect like card to wallet, or a chop cup routine.

Notice that even though card to wallet is a card trick, it's got this killer ending that makes it special.

Just some thoughts after seeing this pop up all the time.

Thanks paddy,its helps alot to see how the magicians that work restaurants set up their routine. I am planning on being ready in a year from now (hopefully) so I am trying to get as much info as possible. I just bought Kirk Charles' complete guide to restaurant and walk around and am planning on getting a couple of Jim Pace's books but in the mean time it's cool to see how current real world workers are doing it.
Wade

i don't really like to use coins... i do cards and other stuff... so what do u recommend to me? plz pm me... how about:
ambitious card
*deck switch*
invisible deck
cups and balls

just an idea, tell me what u think, tnx

even though u dont like coins get SOME coin triicks in there or otherwise people might get bored.

i personally recommend dishonest abe because people love it and u learn some basic coin magic from doing the trick

or just get a gimmicked coin trick or something like that

good luck

Cups and balls isnt really good restaurant. You need tricks that dont take up table space.

what if you have your own table or are on the floor. though yes, you dont want to take up alot of table space.

i wouldnt reccomend doing it on the floor, because the people will think ure crazy and they wont be able to see that well.

if u want to do a cups and balls bring ure own table

I personally think cups and balls are great for the restaurant enviroment. Try it out and see what you think.

Keep in mind also that even though you may not like coins tricks...other people might. As magicians we must satisfy those we entertain.

also, i think the night would go better if u didnt do card tricks all night... i mean i love cards, but i like to switch it up occasionally and make pens disappear...

Cups and balls is not a good idea if you are table-hopping. I tend to do sponge balls rubberbands cards, pen thru and a couple of something elses.

i do either two card tricks and my ending, or spongeballs, card trick or hot rod, and my ending.

my ending is using a change bag to change their dollar into my business card!!!

Carl Andrews has a DVD out specifically geared to table-hopping with Cups and Balls. It's a routine that only involves 2 cups, and is availale here at Penguin.

makin routines isnt hard... just use tricks that naturally flow together... one of my newest routines im workin on is off of Greg Wilson's Double Take...

"OK, for starters I'll need the four aces..."
Phoenix Aces performance
"Now that I have the aces, let me show u something..."
Weighted Aces performance
"You obviously don't trust these aces... for my last one, lets try a different set of four cards..."
Jumping Gemini performance

each trick uses four cards, and phoenix aces is a good, quick, visual opener... and naturally it flows into weighted aces, and u get it...

JUST MAKE IT FLOW!!!!

Cards cards cards, Nothing like a bit of variety to keep their attention!

^thats one routine buddy... i have others as well... and trust me, the whole routine keeps their attention... i knew right when i posted that someone would leave some kinda "cards, cards, cards" response... butttt if u read a few posts up u would see that i dont favor doin card tricks all night... thank you...

i was only explainin how it should flow...