What are your opener effects?

ProAma

Elite Member
Jun 13, 2013
214
103
I want to know what everyone opens with when they perform. An opener must be something quick and visual. It should grab someones attention and make them want more. I am currently building a set to use for showing people my magic but not too much. The opener to me is the most important effect of any set just as a first impression with a person. All input is highly appreciated and you get 100 brownie points with me also.
 
Jul 14, 2016
57
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I always start with my performance of the mind power deck really love this effect. It never fails to get great reactions ( always carry it with me). I will also do some rubber band magic like cmh followed by stairway.
 
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I love effects where I can borrow an object from a spectator and do something cool with it like Break, Ring Flight, or No Pressure. If that opportunity doesn't present itself than I will do something organic such as Lipsmacker.

For stage, my opening is constantly evolving. The venue sort of dictates what that show will consist of.
 
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WitchDocIsIn

Elite Member
Sep 13, 2008
5,877
2,945
An opener must be something quick and visual.

According to whom?

My opener depends on where I am performing. On stage I like to open with a poem, or a piece that's very simple and largely consists of me talking about my interests and hobbies. In paid walk-up, my opener is, "Hello! My name is Christopher, and I'm a little strange. I've been hired tonight to entertain you folks with some of the odd things I've picked up over the years. What's your name?"
 
It sounds like you're going to be doing casual/street/walk-up magic for your friends and family. If you'll be doing a card routine go with the Chicago opener. It's a perfect one-two punch that gets everyone watching, and easily moves into your next trick.

If it's coins simply do your best vanish of a borrowed coin- the simplest, cleanest one you know. That will encourage them to suspend their disbelief for your other effects that maybe don't end so clean.

If it's mentalism, then you can start something with several outs. Since it's your first effect they won't know what you have planned so you can start more open ended. These kinds of effects are usually more gutsy, but the reveal is worth it. Plus, when they are followed by a sure-fire mentalism miracle your whole routine will be on a whole other level. Hope this helps.
 
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Sep 13, 2014
52
34
Depends on the audience and location. Anti gravity trick with a bottle if at a bar, Pointless by Gregory Wilson for impromptu are a few examples. Mentalism is another opener if the people are new/meeting them for the first time.

I don't do card tricks (strongly dislike 95% of them). That and I feel card magic isn't my style. I could rant for a while about card tricks but would come across as a cranky old man.
 
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Dec 24, 2014
24
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Italy
www.instagram.com
I think there is no "perfect" trick. It depends on the kind of public, the venue and the time you have to perform. I think that a good opener should be:
- something you feel confident doing, to avoid the initial pressure and be spontaneous
- envolving, to break the ice with the public
- casual: if you make the presentation boring and talk too long in an opener, people will see you mostly like an actor and will think they have nothing more to see from you
- interesting: start from everyday object. You will gain people's interest also for the next tricks
- visual: I generally prefer magic that takes place in the mind, not in the eyes, but human brain reacts more easily to visual magic. So the first trick should be more visual than "mind-envolving". Keep mentalism, ACAAN and stuff like that for the next tricks.
 
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Oct 27, 2016
1
0
I want to know what everyone opens with when they perform. An opener must be something quick and visual. It should grab someones attention and make them want more. I am currently building a set to use for showing people my magic but not too much. The opener to me is the most important effect of any set just as a first impression with a person. All input is highly appreciated and you get 100 brownie points with me also.
I agree with Faust....Chicago Opener is a strong opener. If I'm working tables at a restaurant, I might open with passe-passe salt.
 

ProAma

Elite Member
Jun 13, 2013
214
103
I agree with Faust....Chicago Opener is a strong opener. If I'm working tables at a restaurant, I might open with passe-passe salt.
The only card opener I agree with doing is back palming. Other than that I strongly disagree with opening with a card trick regardless of how you feel about it. A deck of cards isn't justified until you justify it. You can't expect a spectator to want to watch you if you involve them on the first effect. You basically are saying "you have to do this" even though they have not invited you to giver them your time.
 

ProAma

Elite Member
Jun 13, 2013
214
103
The best opener is... [wait for it]... YOU!

Your opening should showcase your personality. Don't rely on the effect to give you a personality. It is the other way around.

Find something that shows the audience who you are.
I fully agree. I'm not looking for an opener. I am wondering what everyones openers are.
 

RealityOne

Elite Member
Nov 1, 2009
3,744
4,076
New Jersey
Currently, my opener is my variation of Jim Steinmeyer's Pasteboards Under Glass. I'm working on a linking rings routine done to an Orchestral Version of Fireflies. I frequently open kids shows with a Jumbo Invisible Deck routine done with a beach ball and dancing to I Gotta Feeling. Someday, I'll get down my billiard ball routine done to Jack Johnson's Upside Down.
 
Jun 13, 2013
62
31
I do "street magic" tricks. I've never performed on stage and really don't have an interest to. With that said, my go-to tricks are "two card monte", "Prophet", and that basic card switch trick that is the basis for Wayne Houchin's kissing routine. If I have more time, I'll do David Roth's coins across routine.
 
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ProAma

Elite Member
Jun 13, 2013
214
103
I do "street magic" tricks. I've never performed on stage and really don't have an interest to. With that said, my go-to tricks are "two card monte", "Prophet", and that basic card switch trick that is the basis for Wayne Houchin's kissing routine. If I have more time, I'll do David Roth's coins across routine.
I love doing Two Card Monte and Here Then There. I stay away from big bill changes because bad things could happen and its not like you can give away the money. if I were you I would go check out Patrick Kun's new effect called Breach on penguin magic.
 
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