Does that make any sense, really?
In the book Maximum Entertainment, I came across this point, that maybe by signing something we are increasing the 'dead time' in our performance and thus adding a weak spot in our act. But the more I thought about it, I also realised that having somebody sign something brings attention to that specific prop. And sometimes, that might not be preferable.
Also, it seems like one of the things I'd do if I'm performing for magicians, perhaps. Because I haven't had anybody suggest duplicate cards as a solution to my performance, neither have they suspected it very often.
When they did, then they promptly looked through the deck (it was one of those ''I'm performing for friends so you can clearly break the rules of accepted social conduct and seize whatever I'm performing with" situations) and realised that I do not have duplicate cards.
What's more, is that some people I have performed for had very little knowledge about cards and so they think that a deck naturally has duplicates for every single card, before they realise (or I point out) that the suits are different (as in, a Jack of Diamonds isn't a duplicate for a Jack of Hearts).
All in all, I don't see the purpose of having something signed. I have found it unnecessary in my performances, I can clearly see that they create a 'challenge' atmosphere, and Ken Weber (vastly more experienced than me) thinks they are unnecessary too.
Why do people do it so often then?
In the book Maximum Entertainment, I came across this point, that maybe by signing something we are increasing the 'dead time' in our performance and thus adding a weak spot in our act. But the more I thought about it, I also realised that having somebody sign something brings attention to that specific prop. And sometimes, that might not be preferable.
Also, it seems like one of the things I'd do if I'm performing for magicians, perhaps. Because I haven't had anybody suggest duplicate cards as a solution to my performance, neither have they suspected it very often.
When they did, then they promptly looked through the deck (it was one of those ''I'm performing for friends so you can clearly break the rules of accepted social conduct and seize whatever I'm performing with" situations) and realised that I do not have duplicate cards.
What's more, is that some people I have performed for had very little knowledge about cards and so they think that a deck naturally has duplicates for every single card, before they realise (or I point out) that the suits are different (as in, a Jack of Diamonds isn't a duplicate for a Jack of Hearts).
All in all, I don't see the purpose of having something signed. I have found it unnecessary in my performances, I can clearly see that they create a 'challenge' atmosphere, and Ken Weber (vastly more experienced than me) thinks they are unnecessary too.
Why do people do it so often then?