I'd like to add to their advise, when doing tricks especially with cards don't get too complicated that they don't even understand what the climax was. This kinda goes with what he said about not doing long tricks. You want your tricks to be very visual and not require a lot of thinking on the part of the spectators because they are there to be entertained not to be witness to your great skill and ability to fool them. And remember none of this is directed towards any person in particular, this is just some advice that I'd like to share from my experiences. And remember you are not performing to fool or belittle your audience with your abilities, you perform to entertain and create a sence of amazement, that is the most rewarding part of magic, don't take it for gratit(sp).

i am not just performing card tricks i hav loads of other kind of magic which i will be doing.con squeeze,power lunch,bitten coin,hot rod quite a few more i just cant be bothered to name them all

These are just more gimmicks man. Learn sleight of hand. I know it's harder than the gimmicks, but you can't become a restaurant magician through just gimmicks. If your not going to put the time, effort and practice into learning sleights, your going to go nowhere, and your going to ruin it for the good restaurant magicians out there.

For the bite out quater read my comment in "Top 5 Retaurant Routines" about it. BAD thing in restaurants.

From the way you have responded to the advice everyone has given you I say "mazel tov." Already gave my prediction on how long it will last if you ever get a job.

I know I am repeating what has already been said, but you just need to chill out a bit. You’ve received advice from people who really know what they are talking about. I suggest you re-read what they have already taken the time to share with you, this time without getting butt-hurt and offended by it. What has been said is aimed as constructive criticism, not personal attacks.

It’s all already been said, just read it, and be willing to change.
And please, for the sake of every magician here, don't take your hot rod into the restaurant.

Try to stay away from gimmicks. I think that's what everyone's trying to say. What if they ask to see that sneak a peak pack of cards, or coin bite coin? Gimmicks can be good if you finish clean, but try to stay away from them as much as possible. Learning a few IDs is a good idea. Most of them don't use gimmicks. Also, like said before, have many different routines. A good reference is this forum. Many people have posted routines and tricks. Hope this helps.

if you're mad at his criticism, dont ask for it

you arent changing your magic for his sake, its for your AUDIENCE's sake...they will get bored to death with card tricks, my audiences do all the time.

here's what i would do...sit down and write all the tricks you know in these categories:

-Cards
-Coins
-Everyday objects(pens, rubberbands, etc.)
-Mentalism

then try to incorporate one trick from each category into a routine that flows smoothly. Then come up with fitting patter...then you will have 3 or 4 or 5 good solid routines that you can rotate between. And pros do not just do cards...they do other tricks as well, but specialize in cards...and besides, YOU AREN'T A PRO so dont act like one till you become competent in more than one area of magic

and stealth pen IS DEFINITELY gimmicked

Coin Squeeze-GIMMICK
Bitten Coin-GIMMICK
Hot Rod-GIMMICK


you need sleight of hand...get some books my friend

i retract one of my previous statements...you do not need routines....as B_Magic puts it you need an ARSENAL of effects that you can do well. Play off of your spectators and do the tricks THEY want to see...not the next trick in your routine

http://www.penguinmagic.com/discuss/vie ... 459#333459

these are my routines that i came up with in the last year or so. I have 6 routines with 3 tricks each which is 18 tricks altogether. 8 of them are card tricks and the other10 are all different.(coins, rings, rubberbands, money, 3 ring circus,mentalism,*spongeballs,etc) you really DO need m more that just cards. especially if those ars the card tricks you want to do. my friend and mentor Kostya Kimlat has been doing restauraunt magic in Florida for 6 years and he told me that he either does all cards for a table or no cards. im saying this b/c his card magic is top of the line. he can entertain for hours with just cards. nothing is boring unlike queens out of control or whatever else you have like that. personally i think a routine must have more than cards. i have been doing magic for 5 years and i've come up with and practiced like crazy these routines for the last year. I think that i am about ready. i think you might want to wait a while before messing it up for magicians that are really ready and already established magicians.

IVAN

Good stuff. Glad to see someone has at least heard anything I've had to say here. Hehe.