Ten Great Magic Tricks for Advanced-Beginner Magicians!

-Part #2 in a series

-Written by Justini-Online Magician - Visit my eBay Store-Justini's Magic Shop.

In Part #1 of this series I discussed some of my favorite tricks for beginner magicians.  These tricks were all self-working, easy to do, and required no sleight of hand.  In this guide I present some tricks that will take your magic to the next level.  I consider these tricks suitable for the "advanced-beginner".  What is that, you might ask.  Well this is a magician that has been performing self-working tricks with success and is ready to tackle somemore diffficult tricks that may require some sleight of hand.  This might also be someone who is ready to move away from the inexpensive, plastic type tricks, to those that are high in quality and appearance, and sometimes price.

Most of the tricks that I present here are ones that I include in my own performances.  I believe them all to be great, great magic.  Some are brand new on the market; others are classics and have been around since the dawn of magic.  So check out the list below and enjoy.  If you are interested in purchasing any of these tricks or have questions, you can contact me through my eBay store-Justini's Magic Shop.

Ten Great Tricks Part #2 - Advanced-Beginner Magicians

1. Hot Rods- A small rod is shown with six different colored dots.  The spectator selects a color, instantly all the dots change to the selected color! Ok, the hot rod is a classic of magic.  There is a whole category of items that revolve around the "move" used with a hot rod.  When done correctly, a hot rod routine is in my opinion some of the most visually beautiful close up magic available.  There are numerous sizes and shapes and colors of hot rods.  They are really worth a look if you don't have it in your repertoire.  You might also want to check out a great DVD entitled simply "Hot Rod Instructional DVD."  It comes with two hot rods and features a really great studio quality video with superb instruction on handling a hot rod or multiple hot rods.Click here to see the Hot Rod page at Justini's Magic Shop. 
2. Cups and Balls / Chop Cups- Balls mysteriously jump from under one cup to another, then vanish and reappear!  The Cups and Balls are widely thought of as the oldest trick in magic.  The trick is required study for any student of magic.  By learning a Cups and Balls routine the magician will also learn several great sleight of hand techniques.  The Chop Cup is a one cup routine using a very special cup.  Routines for the Chop Cup are very similar to Cups and Balls routines and utilize many of the same techniques.  There are many, many different types, sizes, colors, and shapes of Chop Cups and Cups and Balls sets.  It is a matter of personal taste as to which one you like.  There are also many DVD's and books that teach routines and techniques.  For a basic routine and instruction I recommend "25 Amazing Magic Tricks with the Cups and Balls."  For the Chop Cup I recommend "The Classic Chop Cup" DVD.  Click here to see the Cups and Balls/Chop Cup page at Justini's Magic Shop.
3. Entourage- This is a new trick on the magic scene.  It is a packet card trick, which means it uses just a few cards rather than a whole deck.  The effect is that a spectator is shown four face down cards inbetween two face up Jokers.  The spectator is told the four cards are the four Queens and is then asked to freely name one of the Queens.  The spectator is then instructed to remove the three face down cards that they think are NOT the Queen they named.  Those cards are removed and placed faced down on the table.  At once the magician reveals that the remaining face down card is indeed the Queen the spectator named, and all the remaining face down cards are not Queens at all but Jokers!  I love packet tricks.  There is something about using only a few cards that seems to make the audience feel they can figure out the trick--they can't!  This is hands down the best, and easiest to perform new packt trick on the market.  It resets instantly and can be repeated.  If you only do one packet trick, make it Entourage.  Click here to view the Packet Card Trick page at Justini's Magic Shop.
4. Linking Rings-  Solid metal rings appear to link and unlink on command of the magician.  This is another classic.  I consider this a must learn trick for any magi looking to perform parlour or stage shows.  It has immediate audience recognition and commands respect when done well.  The key to the rings is to get the right size.  They range in size from less than 5 inches in diameter up to eighteen inches and beyond.  So depending on your performance venue, pick the size you can handle well and can be seen well by your audience.  There are lots of great books and DVD's on the rings.  Check out "25 Amazing Magic Tricks with the Linking Rings" for a great lesson in the basics.Click here to visit the Linking Ring Page at Justini's Magic Shop.
5. Thumb Tips -  The magician places a silk handkerchief into his fist.  With a puff of air it has vanished.  A fist is made again and the same handkerchief is pulled out!  Another classic of magic, thumb tips are extremely versatile props.  They come in different sizes, colors and degrees of hardness, i.e. soft, hard, light skin, dark skin, etc. Different ones also have lights inside, or mini-pencils for writing.  When done correctly with lots of practice the magician can perform an awesome routine, right in front of the spectator's face with no detection.  Once again, there are numerous books and DVD's on thumb tip magic.  The good part about them is that while well known to magicians, most of the public has never seen or heard of them.  They clean up well too, just casually place your hand in your pocket and you're clean!  Click here to view the Thumb Tip Page at Justini's Magic Shop.
6. Glass Mirage-  A bottle of beer or soda is shown to be empty.  With a rub of the top a small "hiss" is heard, suddenly the cap has reappeared and the bottle is full!  This is a new trick that is really awesome, from Alex Lourido.  It is a perfect impromptu magic prop, and would be great to just instanly amaze your friends at a party or bar.  These are not cheap, but it is unique and minde blowing, not to mention fun. To view an amazing demo of this trick, click on the link provided, then click on item listing.   Click here to go to the tricks with demo videos page at Justini's Magic Shop. 
7. Third Degree Burn-  A spectator names any card, and then is asked to light a cigarette lighter.  The magician proceeds to snuff out the flame with his thumb and first finger.  Upon inspection it is revealed that blisters have formed on those fingers from the heat of the flame, only the blisters are in the shape of the number and suit of the named card!  Another brand new effect, it takes practice, but is well worth it.  It is truly a card trick without cards.  When the blisters appear your spectators will be astonished.  It is a higher priced item, but comes with the gimmick, full written instructions as well as a high quality instructional DVD.  Great for restaurant table hoppers, but will knock your Gramma's socks off too!  To view an amazing demo of this trick, click on the link provided, then click on the item listing.  Click here to view the Tricks with Demo Videos page at Justini's Magic Shop.
8. Card to Wallet- A spectator selects a card and signs it.  It is replaced to the deck and the deck is shuffled.  The deck is returned to the spectator and the magician removes his wallet.  The magician bets the spectator that if he can find his card in the deck he can keep the money in the magician's wallet.  Try as he might, the spectator cannot find the card in the deck.  The magician opens a zippered pocket in his wallet to reveal the signed card!  This is a classic of magic that astounds.  It requires some card sleights and misdirection, but is worth the practice.  A special wallet is used.  Those made and sold today are really nice.  Leather and functional as a normal wallet, so they arouse no suspicion. For more info, click on the link provided and then click on the Card to Wallet item.   Click here to view the Card Tricks page at Justini's Magic Shop!
9. Levitation-  Levitation is perhaps one of the most popular effects in magic today.  From self levitation, to levitating and flying cards, to match sticks, to little wicker men that stand up on their own, there are many types of levitation effects.  Self-levitation has been made famous by magicians like David Blaine and Criss Angel.  So depending on what or who you want to levitate, you can really get some amazing reactions with this effect.  Click here to view the Levitation page at Justini's Magic Shop.
10. Escape Effects-  Like levitation, escape effects are very popular.  With modern magic props, even the beginner can incorporate SAFE escapes into their act.  Start out with small wrist chain escapes.  Work your way up to schackles, and then if you are daring, try a straight jacket.  The key to escapes is to do them safely!!   Click here to view the Escape Effect page at Justini's Magic Shop.

Look for Part #3 soon which I will discuss some of my favorite Coin Magic Tricks!  Thanks for reading this guide, I hope it helped you in some way!

Magically Yours,

Justini