The Magicanada Project

Michael Kras · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject: In-The-Know Spectators

I'm sure we've all had at least one of these... spectators who had a weak, unlasting magic interest and use their knowledge during your performance.

One example for me: A person at my school (Reuben will probably know who I'm talking about) who knows what a Double Lift is... however he calls it a "Double Flip". Every time he sees me perform an effect and I turn over a card he shouts "DOUBLE FLIP!" regardless of whether I did one or not.

How did I remedy this issue? I put a double-backer in my deck. When I had a card turned over, I did a double life with both the normal card and the double backer. I made it SLIGHTLY obvious for his eyes only. He screamed "DOUBLE FLIP!!!" as usual but this time I gave him a confused look, picked up the top card and displayed it singly. Thanks to the double backer of course. That really threw him off.

Another time I was working a gig... doing walkaround at a university christmas party. Basically I just strolled from table to table and performed card work. I started doing Charlier Cuts at one point, and a man at one of the tables piped up and said to everyone else "See that? That's called a Carly Cut!".... I knew I'd run into someone special. After performing Paul Harris' Galaxy he said "I know how you did that! But don't worry, I won't tell anybody... I'm a magician too!".

To throw this guy off... I performed a magician fooler. A card location by Bob King that is virtually bulletproof and really hits hard. I finished, everyone at the table was amazed.... my magician man was silent. He then piped up again... "Um, I know how to do that one too... you did it well"... then for the rest of the night he just backed off.

Any stories of spectators like this and how you beat them?

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Michael Kras
Forum Administrator