hey guys, I don't post here very often. But I do enjoy reading the threads. I thought this would be one I could chime in on.
Im not a full time professional, however, I do perform quite a bit as one several times a month for all kinds of events. Stage shows, mainly adults, walk around, bars, formal, you name it.
I actually never let the spectator shuffle the cards. Unless its the very beginning - or its the card to mouth presentation, where I want them to shuffle the deck for over the top misdirection.
I read all your responses, and actually- crimping, glimpsing, copping out - great ideas! Honestly, I tried that.. for a very short amount of time. Turns out, Im just not that ballsy.
When I first started, I got that alot: "let me shuffle." I got alot of.. "hey, its still on top." etc.
As I got more experience, I found those don't come up anymore. Here's why I think that has happened.
Magic is about the experience. So its my job to make sure they get there and have a fun great time. By challenging me, and by heckling me, they don't get there. So right off the bat - i make sure Im in control. I give off confidence, yet, not cockiness. Thats important. I make sure that they respect me and the art, and they will get a great time in return, and Ill make them look like a superstar in front of their friends. The moment I give in to their demands and heckling - I believe it gives them the sense that questioning a performer is ok. I make sure that they know, im doing a job - and its in their best interest to let me handle it, because i have good intentions for them. I hope this makes sense.
Im not saying I walk up to them and demand respect.. or anything like that. Its just in your demeanor. you joke, laugh, and smile, but, i think it comes with experience. Ive been heckled in my day, and drunks would want to shuffle the deck - cause THEY want to control the situation. Ive learned from that.. either i blow past it, or I make a quick remark like: "that won't do you any good, cause OH! its in my .. pocket!" which its not.. but it gets a silly laugh, and in a way, tells em to just relax. "haha, if i was that good, Id be on tv!" Then I continue like they never said it. Usually, they are just saying it to see if you let them have control of the deck. thats my opinion. I establish its my deck, and my art from the get go. Let them touch the deck once (when they ask), they are gonna dance on top of your head. again, my extreme opinion.
Hope this helps...