gimmick: A device employed to cheat, deceive, or trick, especially a mechanism for the secret and dishonest control of gambling apparatus.
An innovative or unusual mechanical contrivance; a gadget.

whatever works, use it.

Good Old Paddy.... Yeah he is right, kids out there need to know that magic is HARD WORK. It is not just about gimmicks. You can't say "Oh I just got my hummingbird card in the mail today maybe I can get a job at a restaurant" I think we all know that's not the case, but I believe that there are kids who have that mentality towards the practice of magic. HARD WORK & PRACTICE is the key. Again, Paddy's wisdom is valuable... Learning Magic and Learining to Perform are two different things. Learn magic first then learn to perform. Gimmicks or no gimmicks, learn magic then learn to perform.