This thread is way to long. BUT, YOU CAN NOT SAY sleight of hand is more versatile than gimmicks nor can I declare that gimmicks are more versatile. I love both. And Mike, im not at all saying you have been performing "wrong." From experience I get booked alot and I strongly believe it is because of the way I present myself and my magic as whole.
If im getting paid $500 to do party, then I am most definitely not going to do a tiny little three card monte routine with sleights ( just an example) I prefer something like stand up monte.
In all, im saying this, I am a major advocate for sleights, I am, BUT, in the correct situation only! Sleight of hand versions of tricks like invisible deck, caan, etc are great for street performances, family gatherings, etc. But, when im getting paid or have an important audience I really want to impress, Im bringing out what I believe to be the best.
If im in a talent show competing with 200 people, I would much rather do a hands off ACAAN never ever coming close to the deck and never touching it, rather than a sleight version with some switch or me dealing the cards. The better I make it, the better impression I leave..
It is ALL about the way you present yourself. (If you are doing a face to face interview). That is why it is important to look outside magic books and look into books on selling yourself to others.
I have been booking gigs for almost 20 years and I can say that PERSONALLY, the gigs I have booked being face to face ALWAYS comes down to personality. If they like ME, they will book ME. I will have them all laughing/cracking up the entire time and I MIGHT perform one effect. Early on, it was the opposite. I was worried about performing a set for whomever I was looking to book with. As time went on, and I got smarter and more experienced, I realized that less is truly better. OBVIOUSLY, if you are trying to book a magic gig, then yes...bring something to perform. lol...
If you are sending a demo reel, then less is not better. You want to highlight/showcase your A material.
The formula I have used in the past works for ME as I had a career in improv and sketch comedy for years, and I know I can entertain an audience with more than just a deck of cards. But again, that works for me.
"Tiny little three card monte" vs "Stand up monte" - Well, I think that depends on the type of gig you are hired for. If I am getting paid to do walk-around, I am most certainly not going to be carrying around jumbo cards with me. In this case, a deck of cards, some coins, a sharpie, my cellphone and my wallet are all I need to entertain a crowd for a 2 hour walk-around gig. If I am hired to do a parlor act, then obviously the props/effects will change, etc etc...
ACAAN - Funny you mention this. I was talking with Darwin Ortiz about WHY magicians get sooooo hung up thinking that ACAAN is THE best possible card effect you could perform for someone. His answer (Not exactly word for word): "Magicians know and appreciate the impossibility with such an effect, but a layman does not. If you have been performing magic all night, dazzling them with sleight of hand, then it would only be EXPECTED that you could do almost ANYTHING with a deck of cards." I agree with this to an extent, though PERSONALLY I don't care for ACAAN plots. But I have seen some pretty amazing versions of this effect too...
In the end, there is GREAT magic, GOOD magic and BAD magic. Be it using gaffs or not, as long as the magic you do falls into the GREAT or GOOD category, then keep on keeping on...