I might try that line sometime. LOL

My girlfriend and I attended a holiday party hosted by a co-worker of mine, so several more of my co-workers were there. I was doing the Revolver, and goofed up and revealed something. I paused for a second, then said "And to think I was going to quit my job tomorrow and become a professional magician." That got quite a few laughs

Try this, "Believe it or not, that's exactly what was suppost to happen. The fact that it did proves it."

I remember when I did my first gig for the family at Thanksgiving. The 1st two tricks (Dunesberry's Aces and twisting the aces) went totally south. Don't use the phrases like you screwed up the trick or anything like that as those are the exact words they may use when describing that part of the routine (experience). Can you imaging messing up on Dunesberry? Luckily the next trick was strong enough (the card gun trick) to overcome the bad stuff. I was able to continue with about 1/2 hour of well executed magic with no more messups. For the last bit I did antoher strong routine, variation on Jay Scott Berry's Symphony of Ring and Ribbon with my Sis-in-Law singing a beautiful Hebrew song called "ELI". So if you do mess up, don't take it too seriously. From all the posts on this subject and other experience I think HUMOR works best!!!!

Actually, I like his idea better!

Well, there's also another thread around here with some good lines by joeKing. Check it out:

http://www.penguinmagic.com/discuss/vie ... hp?t=39118

The key is definitely humor. It releases tension, thereby relaxing both you and your audience. And by making them laugh you are still providing entertaintment... which is what it's all about!

But, seriously Traylen is right! It's always a good idea... to think of a few outs that you can do... in case something goes wrong with your trick. Just be creative!

If you ever mess up, just say "The real magician will be here shortly." Or look over your shoulder and say "Start the car!"

just to let you all know I was on my knees in laughter at the posts here.

If you lose someone's card in a trick then simply ask for what the card was, control it to the top, place another card face up on top the deck, apply a DL to the top 2 cards, perform a snap change, viola.

Or if you mess up (esspescially in the street when you are not quick enough or haven't rehearsed good comebacks). This is when you get people looking un-impressed like a**holes so just stick your deck, coin, whatever in your pocket and say 'Listen [edited], i don't come over to your job and knock the burger flipper out of your hand, DO I?' and with that punch them as hard as you can in their stomach and watch them squirm on the pavement until the cops show up and take you down with tazers, not before you floor it through the park like a mad man with dogs behind you and cops shouting 'FREEZE!'
Enjoy the advice of such a mad man, my internet break is over, time to return to my cell...

haha, i don't know if i should laugh or be very very afraid of you right now....

The latter...But its not all bad, sometimes they let me perform a bit of magic in the courtyard. But when a gang of big, black and buff looking guys said 'How'd you do that white boy' after I performed the ambitious card trick I replied 'Can you keep a secret? well, so can I?' and with that they didn't look to amused before they beat the living cr*p out of me. Thanks to the guy here who recommended that line...