The 7 Best Openers For Close Up Magicians | Magic Stuff With Craig Petty

[@chris_stacey]

I bought Split Happens from World Magic Shop years ago, it's a great DVD. Highly recommended!

[@Bloody_alchemy]

You mentioned a magnet at the back of your trousers. Could you please do one on utility devices and useful things to have on you concealed ? Great show

[@jimmymulkern8227]

I only heard about “bag for life” last year and immediately bought it and just love it. Craig sure is right about it being a great opener. There is a subtlety though that Craig didn’t do that I feel is VERY important. When you pull the coin out of the bag I tilt the bag on an angle so when the coin comes out, the coin that stays in the bag “rolls” down into the place where the other coin just was before you pulled out. It really sells the fact that both coins were in the bag

[@magic-tv]

I agree Jimmy and I normally do that handling. I have no idea why I didn’t. Thanks for sharing buddy.

[@ParkinT]

Bob Swadling is a great creator of magic! I am proud to call him a friend. Your [additional] handling of the Torn and Restored - in order to ditch the gimmick - is BRILLIANT.

[@magic-tv]

Bon is awesome. Thanks for the kind words.

[@magicmagicman]

A nice subtlety with the bag for life is to angle the bag slightly so when you pull the silver coin out of the bag the copper coin will instantly roll into the now empty space.

[@magic-tv]

Agreed. Can’t believe I didn’t do that in the performance. Thanks for sharing mate.

[@magicelliotth]

I scrolled down on the comments to give exactly the same tip. Another tip which I always do is to have the bag rolled up when I introduce it and let it “unroll” by holding the top.

[@pmonkeygeezer6212]

@@magicelliotth To me the effect was not very convincing. It never seemed that the coin was not in the bag to start with. Almost like it was sandwiched either side. A thin double coin held together with magnets? Then, when he handed coin out for examination, he shuffled it to other hand where he has genuine silver coin hidden. I can't see this being a big wow trick.

[@michaelpatersondj]

@@pmonkeygeezer6212 It's a great trick. Solid reactions.

[@DaniMarko]

One of the MOST anticipated videos!!!

[@DaniMarko]

From these I have performed extreme burn, it is an AMAZING opener. I had my set custom made from tyvek and is made of shopping receipts. The coin routines I will totally check out. Spooning around is fun but not so practical for a social magician I am buying the changing card, that looks way to magical

[@magicbybarry4626]

You can’t beat the invisible deck as an opener. Spectator involvement, lots of funny lines, easy to do. Add in a visual deck appearance and you’re golden

[@magic-tv]

The invisible deck is incredible. Truly incredible. Thanks for sharing.

[@virginiapicker]

Yes please to your offer to make a video about different ways of producing a deck. This video here is excellent, BTW. Thanks! 🙂

[@magic-tv]

Putting it together right now.

[@maxschutzer4749]

Are you going to do best closers too?

[@danielquinones624]

Quick and visual seems to be the popular notion for an opener... but... I usually begin with slow and modular. Slow in order to get the names of my audience and let them know who I am personally. Modular to allow me to gauge their response after each effect. Ring and String fits my style and goals.

[@BarryAllenMagic]

Agree completely.

[@Bkberliner007]

Great topic, I use extreme burn. Really like idea also employing Himber type wallet. I would enjoy also seeing your closers. Thanks for your great service to the magic world!

[@d1g1m1]

Another great video Craig. My most used opener has been Impale (Sharpie through card box ) which leads into the Haunting (moving cards with a smoke watch for extra effect..).

[@magic-tv]

It’s a great trick. I love it.

[@samuelhodges3119]

You know I gotta go get these and please do more videos like this. Because when you do live performances, you take away all of the stuff that are seen in trailers. These are: "What you see, is what you get," performances. Which are raw showings. That is very important.

[@CoinConjuror888]

Great openers! I will have to look into the torn and restored card. My opener for the past few years is a one coin sleight of hand routine using a Eisenhower split coin, except it has 2 different color Chinese coin stickers on the inner sides of the splits. this gives me a double color coin change as a kicker ending.

[@magic-tv]

Sounds like a really great opener. If you have a video I would love to see it.

[@anoopbadoreea653]

Thank you for sharing this Craig, I have been enjoying your videos and content and just subscribed to your channel 👏👏 looking forward to your videos 🙏

[@magic-tv]

Thanks for the sub. Much appreciated. I’m really glad you are enjoying the content.

[@DaniMarko]

My most performed “opener” as a social magician is by far “equifique” by Phil Smith. Found in Mitox, its a fast and fun mentalism routine. For me it at least it always has a great reaction and being a “smaller” effect it gives a great opening for more complex mentalism routines

[@Lightylight]

That sounds amazing bro. Any videos we can check out on it?

[@DaniMarko]

@@Lightylight you can check it out In Phil Smiths penguin lecture too

[@PaulSmith-qw8vq]

Equifique is awesome, I do it with a smiley face drawn on a finger tip. Mitox was one of my favourite books but I lent it to a friend about three years ago and haven't seen him or it since.

[@DaniMarko]

@@PaulSmith-qw8vq in the penguin lecture Dan Harlan mentions something that I do all the time and I believe doubles the strengh of the effect. Basically I play a “mirror game” with my participant, both hands extended and make them drop a hand ( mirror hand force) and then go into the regular choices. You can bactrack and say they could’ve chosen any of the the TEN FINGERS . It plays really well for me actually I love this little routine.

[@jamesvanway]

I had à great time watching your video. It is very inspiring and give us a lot of ideas. Thanks a lot !

[@danruse]

What a cool KZbin channel this is 😎

[@magic-tv]

Thank you.

[@darrenbane7804]

3D Advertising is a big favourite of mine. I think for walk around/restaurant, Gary Jones' Noted 2.0 is also a good opener. It fits into a restaurant/coffee house setting, is quick and very visual. Then you're straight into a card routine.

[@magic-tv]

Noted is great. Agreed 100%

[@nicadcock]

just ordered bag for life well sold Craig

[@mr.harmon2745]

Brilliant video. Hope you are well. My favourite opener for close up is Timeless Deluxe by Liam Montier 👌

[@magic-tv]

It’s a brilliant effect. Good choice Mr Harmon.

[@andrewbaroch2141]

I trust your judgment and like the demos.

[@samuelhodges3119]

Thanks for sharing. These are good effects to put in the show.

[@magic-tv]

Glad you like them!

[@samuelhodges3119]

@@magic-tv I sent you a request in your messages. Let me know your reply. You'll recognize the request. It sticks out. Thanks again for your content.

[@ardentabacist]

Great advice Craig! - You da Man! ~

[@joshuang6896]

All great openers! My personal go to had been improvising with a mem deck. The line, "Think of a card," is an instant standout. Then I do Triumph as a kicker. Laypeople love seeing the deck go from choas to order except for their card.

[@randbaldwin]

Nice collection. I love it when you include performances after the description too. Question: I want to get a split coin set. It looks like there are a few different sets from different manufacturers. Is there a preferred brand, any that look better than others, or any to avoid?

[@pinballwizard666]

Thanks Craig. You have me some good ideas 👋

[@Bkberliner007]

Fantastic presentation, I really enjoyed it!!

[@thecount1608]

Thank you again, great topic, awesome advice and yes please more of everything you said 😁

[@AndyCooper761]

Awesome ideas there - definitely looking forward to episode 2 👍🏻. The only thing that prevents me getting Extreme Burn is that I’m not confident that polymer £20’s will perform as well as the paper £20’s.

[@RussAppleby]

I’ve been using polymer £10s since they came out. If you iron the creases in, make it up & leave something heavy on it overnight it’s fine. Just be careful of the see through window & make sure that part isn’t trying to hide the hidden bits.

[@AndyCooper761]

@@RussAppleby Thanks for the tips, that's good to know.

[@Andyrussellmagic]

Lovely job Craig!

[@sedburystan1]

Another great video! 👍

[@magic-tv]

Thanks very much.

[@Eddini]

As I wrote before I love the shrinking card box. The strongest card effect I do is anniversary waltz. It's just the best. So I use the shrinking card box with that. So right off the bat the magic starts happening, then leaving them with an impossible keep sake.

[@anthonyyates9599]

Great and informative video. As fairly new to magic I rely on reviews like this as I, like most magicians , have made many bad purchases because I have had to rely on poor and sometimes misleading trailers. Thanks for all you do for the magic fraternity.

[@pmonkeygeezer6212]

What you need to do is go to the magic cafe forum and read round the threads. There are people fishing for the methods and reading between the lines the method is often given away in the comments. Watch YT videos and slow them down to 0.25x . Eventually you can work out the method. Never buy an effect before you know the method. Then you can work out if it will suit your performance conditions and skill level.

[@cecillewis968]

Thank you!

[@magic-tv]

You are welcome.

[@JimHathyMagician]

Hi. I couple questions... I purchased the show/lecture ticket from you but missed the lecture... Is it recorded? Can i get a copy from you please? Second question, which flipper do you recommend? Mark Mason has some there are some better priced ones available and there are some offered in a fund me now at a discount. Thank You for your help. Jim

[@tomcoppe]

The card production is fab Craig - I have my customized deck appear from it - on the white space left it says Clive was here - put the card down on the table they will remember your name ect - I have a couple - I got them for £2 each some years ago if I had known how good this was I would have bought them all for giveaways with my advertising on x

[@magic-tv]

Brilliant idea Clive. Thanks for sharing.

[@paulksicinski6181]

Wasn't John Cornelius the one who first came up with the shrinking card case routine?

[@bkstudio1990]

These are good openers. Im sold on the henry evans product. Id love to see what attention grabbers people us for walkaround. What i mean is what the first thing you do to grab attention. They are all talking, its loud, whats ur approach to get the to look. I think thats the absolute hardest thing for most people

[@andrewbaroch2141]

You have to BUY, BUY, BUY.

[@magic-tv]

Only if you feel they fit your act.

[@benlepage2108]

Thanks Craig, this was great. Would love to see another video on magic for big tables (or tricks that fit in the "not quite parlour, not quite strolling" category). My opener at tables had tended to be a version of Fan Mail by Jay Sankey (on his Front Row Sankey DVD).

[@jimmymulkern8227]

I have a couple of awesome openers that I do. I have a small pail of water with me and before anyone questions it I immediately go right into “I float”. As soon as I hand the phone back to the spectator and they are gasping in disbelief, I immediately draw their attention to the soda cans on the table and I do a few quickies from “Drink Magic”

[@NumberOne_Suspect]

PS I love using Extreme Burn Locked and Loaded 2.0 as an opener, people never expect what happens to happen. Great choices for openers.

[@markgallo3863]

I tend to agree with Gary Ouellet--handing things out for examination after the trick makes for bad theater (although I think he may've said "theatre.")

[@restorationconcrete]

Is it possible yo open with 3D advertising and have the deck of card be the shrinking deck? One opener into two?

[@danmisson]

Coin split is going to be my new opener 😊👍

[@kevcard1599]

Nice stuff mate

[@tomcoppe]

Spooning around is fab - get a spectators ring do Jays ring on spoon - that leads to to a ring on string routine - with what seems to be all there stuff

[@magic-tv]

I agree. Great to go from that to Jay’s routine.

[@NumberOne_Suspect]

Split Happens available in download format? 😁

[@Bloody_alchemy]

Ah I have a question Craig. What makes a great middler ?

[@Smarteez83]

Hi Craig ! Do you know where I can buy a mini bicycle deck that exactly matches the size of a regular poker deck ? Mine is slightly smaller unfortunately... (I'm talking about the mini deck !)

[@andyw10]

In the shrinking card case effect, whenthe deck shrunk the gimmick was on top the wrong way around.

[@johnhowell1036]

Hi Craig I’m sorry to say that on your recommendation I went to rsvp and purchased bag 4 life on 14th April and despite 4 chasing emails have heard nothing. Of course this is not an issue for you per se but i thought it best to let you know in case you recommend any other of their products regards johnh

[@Snoozejocky]

I like Delicious Change as an opener... simply pull out the pack of gum and say I'm not trying to quit smoking I'm trying to give up chocolate...boom the gum pack changes to a chocolate bar.

[@DanielMendoza-su3ei]

Hi Craig, for the '3d advertising' deck production by henry evans, I've seen the performance before. But, I just assumed that there is a gimmick involved or the 'brochure' used to produce the deck is gimmicked. So are you saying that the brochure is completely normal? in other words, there is really no gimmick at all, its all sleight of hand ? The only reason I didn't but this trick is because I thought i needed to buy gimmicks in order to perform it. If everything is normal, then im considering getting it. Thank you!

[@thedude9044]

correct...no the brochure is not gimmicked. But there is a gimmick very similar to David Stone's "Tool" in play here, and it is provided when you buy the trick. If ever worried about the brochure becoming worn or tattered, it costs about $2 a copy in the states for similar paper, color copies front and back. Lamenated works fine too and would obviously make the brochure last even longer.. but is not really necessary.

[@BarryAllenMagic]

Torn & Restored Cigarette Paper (or paper napkin if they are on the table in a pub/restaurant environment); or sometimes a Coins to (spectator-held) Glass. Just to add that the risk of something performed too quickly as an opener, is that it can fly past some spectators and get completely missed. You have to instantly set a rapport with people; quick openers are not always the best way to do that - particularly with older folk.

[@magic-tv]

I love torn and restored cigarette paper. Especially the John Bannon version.

[@BarryAllenMagic]

@@magic-tv I've never seen John's version Craig? The routines I perform (for T&R Cig and a slightly adapted Coins to Glass) are the Edward Victor versions; from 'Magic of the Hands'. T&R Cig paper is so overlooked - yet gets such a superb response from spectators. It's one of those "do it again mate" tricks - that's good enough for me. If you get a moment, you may want to check out Doug Henning performing T&R Cig. Paper on here (search Doug Henning: close-up - 8 incredible close-up routines). His performance it absolutely immaculate!

[@PaulWrightsonLeeds]

Just wanted to know if there are split casino chips? Only because I would like to be able to do any coin magic I learn with chips instead of coins. This may seem strange but it's because I have large hands, British coins are too small, I would rather use chips than American dollar coins, just for continuity rather than having different props, just having one prop - chips.

[@izHuNu]

Sucker punch - mark Southworth

[@tomcoppe]

My Opener -card box disappears - If there, not all looking at me the gasps from that ones that are gets all onboard - deck changes color - round of applause cue - choosen card spins out of deck they have to catch it - With this opener you get everything a disapearance (your are a magician after all ) 2 a transformation- third skill / slight of hand skills

[@shannonsmith1520]

😎

[@Vinzmagicien]

As an opener, i make appear my pack of card from my ipad

[@andyw10]

Loud music at start

[@Davidblaine18]

BAG FOR LIFE DONT GET US CURRENCY

[@ScubaDude1960]

Great video... except for the shi++y intro music.

[@germagic2]

your magic looks mechanical not magic

[@andyw10]

You repeat a lot of tricks on this channel such as split coin. It must be the 5th time you have done this. Theres thousands of tricks in the world you dont need to keep repeating them. Just a thought.

[@magic-tv]

Hey Andy. I only repeat tricks if they fit into more than one video. Not everyone watches all the videos I do so it makes sense. But I’ll take your feedback on board. Thanks.

[@andyw10]

@@magic-tv I am a bit sad as i am working my way through every video going back to the ones from 8yrs ago. Lol