What to do when I'm asked to repeat a magic trick

2025-06-15

Hey everyone, I'd like to bring up a topic, and it's this: every time I perform magic or any trick, people ask me to do it again to try and figure out how it's really done, or they ask me to explain how I do it. How do you all handle those situations? I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!

Join the conversation

Sort:

@kashoggi

2025-06-15

Hey there!

First off, you can tell them, "A magician never reveals their secrets," or "A magician never repeats a trick." I use these lines, and they usually back off. If that feels too direct, another option is to say, "How about I show you this other effect instead? I think you'll really love it!" Then you perform a different one, and that way you avoid repeating the trick.

Here's another club thread where we talked about whether it's advisable to perform the same trick twice:

https://magigram.com/es/club/beginners/es-recomendable-hacer-el-mismo-truco-2-veces-6049/?u=kashoggi

Anyway, if you're dealing with spectators who are just trying to 'bust' you and you're not comfortable with them, unless it's a paid gig, you're not 'obligated' to do magic for them. So you could simply choose not to perform any effects.

I also want to add that this is just my take, and others might have different opinions. I'm sure other club members will be able to offer more advice and share their thoughts on this topic 😉.

Magically yours, 🪄 🫡

@kashoggi

2025-06-15

Now that I'm thinking about it, I came up with another phrase that's really common, but it works great for me, and it usually gets a laugh, which adds a comedic touch to your character.

When they ask you to explain it, you say, "Sure, can you keep a secret?" You wait for the spectator's answer, and then you say, "Well, so can I" or "Well, neither can I," depending on whether they say yes or no.

All the best! 😊

@elayudante

2025-06-15

Have some go-to magical lines ready to respond with humor and elegance:

"Sure! But if I show you again, then you'll have to explain it to me."
"Repeating it would be like rewatching a mystery movie when you already know the ending… it's just not the same."
"Do you think a chef reveals their secret recipe after just one bite?"

Choose one that fits your personal style.

Controlling the Urge to Repeat.

Don't repeat the exact same tricks. If they ask, switch to a different effect or technique. If you do repeat, make it with a surprise variation: change the ending, the method, or the object.
Use magical timing: separate the method from the effect. That way, even if you repeat, they won't know what to look for.

Handling the "How Did You Do That?" Question.

The answer depends on the spectator's tone:

If they're curious but respectful, you can smile and say: “They taught me that in a secret school where they swear to guard the mystery with their lives.”
If they're challenging or mocking, stay calm. The mystery isn't up for negotiation. You can say: “The important thing isn't how it happened, but that it happened… isn't that magical?”

Make It Part of the Effect.

Some tricks allow the spectator to think they're going to figure something out… and then on the second try, you surprise them even more! Tamariz often used this: first he'd amaze them, then he'd seem to let himself get caught… and then he'd finish with something even more impossible.

Don't forget that you decide where, with whom, and when to perform magic.

@egamboas

2025-06-15

Hey everyone! I don't usually post much here, but when someone asks me, I've said, "A good magician never reveals their secrets, but since I'm not a good magician, I'll just show you something else..." and then I do another effect. I've also said, "We took the Magician's Oath in magic school, where we swore not to tell the secrets, so, sorry!" and then I do another trick similarly. What do you all think of my replies? Obviously, it's all in a playful tone and not meant to offend or come off as defensive.