I’ve been to a lot of magic conventions and I am continually impressed by how many great magicians there are out there. From the star acts on stage to the serious amateurs and hobbyists who clearly put in the time. Highly skilled and polished magicians with great routines perfectly practiced and well rehearsed.

Sadly, so many of them are doing the same magic. Many, in almost identical ways.

Of course I love the classics when done well - but a little variety never hurt anyone.

As I type these words there are well OVER 5000 items on our site alone. That includes THOUSANDS of books and dvds with TENS OF THOUSANDS of original and seldom performed tricks. With all that magic you would think we’d NEVER see a repeat trick in a show...and yet it almost always happens.

Yes, it’s true that magic has only so many basic effects. But there’s still a huge amount of material within those themes - all it requires is a bit of “mining”. I’m as guilty as anyone when it comes to settling for the easy “find” but there’s nothing more exciting than discovering that great item that no one if doing. It’s even more satisfying when that item is in a decades old book that almost everyone says they’ve read.

It will take effort.

“Man stands for long time with mouth open before roast duck flies in.” Chinese Saying

Close your mouth and start cooking.