Tricks you don't recommend

[Dogwood]

What tricks would you strongly advise someone against investing in? Either because they're too expensive, overrated, impractical, cheaply made, etc. My offering is Werry's "Transformer". It's not that expensive, but considering how you could make it yourself for about two dolars, it's just not that impressive.

[NoZed Avenger]

hmmm. Maybe the Raven. It got big a couple years ago, but spending the money on the BoBo book and learning a dozen good sleights is a far better investment, IMO.

I'll have to think on this - I know there are effects that I have turned down or regretted spending money on. . .

NA

[rustypouch]

I really like my Raven. It's easy to use and always fools people. In fact, I find it so easy that I can even do it when I'm drunk!

I would suggest against purchasing " Strangers Gallery," as it is too gimmicky.

But another packet trick I love is the "Dark Card."

[Jeff Corey]

The Balduchi JATO Levitation?

Two words.

Horrible idea.

[Lavie Enrose]

Originally posted by mark tidwell
What tricks would you strongly advise someone against investing in? Either because they're too expensive, overrated, impractical, cheaply made, etc.

Road Penn (http://www.pennandteller.com/03/coolstuff/penniphile/roadpennyoungmagician.html)

Teller brought with him copies of an affidavit that they were all to sign swearing that they wouldn't do the Linking Rings for at least the first quarter of this century.

[RSLancastr]

You know the trick that they show in a couple of Warner Brothers cartoons, where the performer swallows gunpowder, nitroglycerine, fireworks, and finishes by swallowing a match?

I would strongly advise against trying it.

[NoZed Avenger]

Originally posted by rustypouch
I really like my Raven. It's easy to use and always fools people.

Fair enough. I guess all I was trying to say is that many people who ended up buying it (that I knew about) -- people who hadn't done much magic -- would have gotten more bang for their buck by picking up a good coin book and learning the sleights. The raven seems to be more of a one trick pony type affair.

NA

[rustypouch]

I see your point. The raven really is only good for one effect, but it is one where I will break one of the rules of magic and repeat it right away.

I do own Bobo's coin book, but I haven't been able to learn much from it. Either the tricks are too hard, I lack the dexterity, or I'm too lazy to pratice much.

I just find coin work in general very difficult.

[Blue Monk]

I would avoid Ethel like the plaque. I still have two small scars on the back of my...

Oh wait a minute, you're talking about magic tricks.

Nevermind.

[Duncan]

Personally, I'm not very good at tricks, but I know this girl who can turn tricks with the best of them. For instance, give her a twenty dollar bill and she'll do this thing with her... ah... actually nevermind.

[Yahweh]

Usually I wouldnt recommend card tricks (because they just arent that impressive) but I ordered that deck of Iraqi shmoes off the internet... you'd never think for second that Iraqi dictators could make all your card tricks just that much more impressive...

[Brown]

The book "Scarne on Card Tricks" has some good card tricks. Unfortunately, some of them require quite a lot of advance preparation (and in many cases, the payoff isn't all that great).

Tricks that begin "The performer removes the cards from the card case..." is a tip-off that some deck set-up is required.

I prefer the tricks that (1) can be performed impromptu or (2) can be set up in a matter of seconds, even if people are watching you (as long as they aren't watching you too closely).

[Supercharts]

Sawing a woman in half without using a 'cover' is a very bad trick. Substituting a weasel hidden in your pants instead of a rabbit is another.