How to Do Close Up Magic Tricks – The Complete Guide

For more than 25 years I have been making my living as a full time magician. I specialize in close up magic and will share what I have learned.

What is Close Up Magic?

Close up magic is the performance of magic tricks up close and personal, right in front of your spectator’s eyes, and often gets your spectators involved in the trick.

Generally, the props used are small so your spectators must be close enough to see everything.

There are different types of tricks, many use borrowed objects – cards, coins, watches, rings, money, jewelry, mind reading, dice, sponge balls, etc.

Close up magic can be performed for up to around 25 people yet it is much more common to perform for smaller groups, usually 1-5 people.

In my opinion close up magic is the purest form of magic. It is the most impressive and definitely the most practical. There are so many amazing benefits. Here are the reasons I love close up magic:

• Many tricks happen in your spectator’s hands.
• You can immediately hear and see your spectator’s reactions.
• No expensive props are required.
• Close up magic can be performed anywhere, anytime.
• There is no need for any special lighting or a sound system.
• You can always practice your tricks and try them out on people.
• Most great close up magic is based on skill, not big boxes.

Watch me perform close up magic for comedy Legend Kevin Nealon:

Best Close Up Magic Tricks

You can perform any magic trick for your spectators, as long as it is a good one. I will tell you the general criteria I have when choosing a trick.

• The trick has to fool and amaze.
• I have to feel comfortable performing it.
• Angles have to be good (where your spectators can view it from).
• Has to be cool, not cheesy.
• Has to use minimal props and be easily portable.
• Has to be somewhat repeatable.
• Trick has to easily reset.

I see a lot of magic tricks performed on social media that look amazing yet are not practical. They are filmed over and over, just for the camera, until they look perfect.

When performing close up magic, most of the time, you cannot control where your audience stands. If the angles are bad and your spectators have to be in a certain spot, the trick is probably not worth learning.

The best way to judge a trick is to look at the reactions you get.

Here is a close up magic performance at an event I was hired to entertain at.

How to Do Close Up Magic

You must like a trick if you are going to take the time to learn it. Before investing any time in a trick, make sure you will perform it.

Most great close up magic requires good sleight of hand. What I recommend is practice, practice, and more practice. Your audience is up close and can see everything you do.

You must spend time in the mirror working on your sleights so you are comfortable when performing the trick. If you cannot get the moves down for a specific routine DO NOT perform it.

FURTHER READING: How To Learn a Magic Trick – My Complete Process

I always carry a deck of cards. I am able to constantly practice and also ready to perform a trick at any time.

Some tricks catch your spectators by surprise and are not repeatable, for example when a coin changes in your spectator’s hand. Use these tricks sparingly.

It is best to perform tricks that don’t require much reset time so you can move from one group to the next without having to go into the corner to reset your tricks.

Close Up Magician

Vary the types of tricks you perform. I love card tricks, yet when performing for a group I only do a couple card tricks. I mix it up with a coin trick, a rope trick, a mind reading trick, a ring trick, etc.

I only perform standing up, never seated. As the performer you have to lead the crowd and be the focus. When you stand you command more attention. Plus most of the time it isn’t possible to sit.

Tricks that require you to be seated aren’t worth learning, you’re better off spending your time working on a trick you can perform all the time. Spectators don’t care either way.

Close Up Show

I like to put my close up pad down on a table and start performing. Spectators always gather around. Sometimes there are 2 people, sometimes there are 50 people. It is fun when everyone squeezes in closely.

If I am booked at an event with an intimate crowd, 25 or less guests, a close up show may be perfect. It depends on the flow of the event. Most of the time I try to keep my performances casual.

I usually suggest having me perform strolling magic, and if it turns into a close up show, great!

It is most important to do what is best for each event.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Cups and Balls Magic Trick – My Full Routine

Close Up Magic – Card Tricks & Coin Tricks

Sometimes, for the right crowd, I will do a boatload of close up card tricks. It depends on the situation and whether or not the group is into card magic.

Coin tricks are very good for small groups. I tend to use half dollars when my spectators are right in front of me and silver dollars when performing for a larger group.

Keep your coin tricks simple. Long complicated coin tricks confuse spectators. The best coin tricks are ones that happen in your spectator’s hands. I also like certain coin tricks as visual openers, see video below.

Close Up Pad

I love using a close up magic pad, also known as a close up magic mat. It is perfect for focusing your spectator’s attention in a specific area, sort of like a mini show.

I prefer carrying my close up pad and finding a table to put it on rather than carrying a close up table.

FURTHER READING: Why I Recommend All Magicians Use a Close up Pad

Close Up Table

When performing I like to have some sort of table or working surface. It opens the doors to so many great close up tricks. It is also a good way to gather a crowd.

When people see something going on they get curious and come over to watch. I do have an awesome close up magic table and on occasion bring it to events. I am usually too lazy to carry it so use it mostly to practice on.

Check out this close up table on Amazon.

Close Up Magic Bag

I always carry my close up magic bag at events. I know a ton of tricks and I like being able to do them. I also like to have extra tricks with me so I am prepared for anything. I keep a close up pad in my bag

I have been at events where the host asks me to do a couple things in front of the whole group. As long as I have my bag I am always ready.

Btw, the guests don’t care if you have a bag or not. They just want to see magic tricks.

Close Up Magic NYC

NYC is great for a working magician. From corporate events to private parties, there is no shortage of people looking to hire amazing entertainment.

There are also many wonderful magic shows to go see in New York City. Find out where to to see close up magic in NYC.

Close Up Magic Las Vegas

Las Vegas has become a mecca of magic. There are many great close up magicians in Vegas. Find out where to see the best magic shows in Las Vegas.

Conclusion

Close up magic is the most practical style of magic for you to get into. As opposed to stage magic, you can always practice and easily perform close up magic. Plus, there are no expensive props.

There are no shortage of close up magic tricks to learn and there are always spectators ready and willing to see a trick. My best advice – practice, practice, practice!