Why the fascination? Why do we enjoy being fooled? We KNOW that the card didn't really vanish into thin air – and yet … Have you ever witnessed unexplainable events or seen illusions so convincing that they leave you spellbound? Have you ever seen what happens to a group of people who experience magic tricks up close? A high energy excitement develops that's contagious. There's amazement, laughter, a great buzz enjoyed by all those who witnessed the seemingly ‘unexplainable'.

We actually WANT there to be magic! We want to believe that someone can make things appear or disappear just by power of thought or by saying a magic word.

Nowadays we rarely see the ‘smoke and mirrors' that the ancient magicians were reputed to use. Illusions are much more sophisticated; they use few gadgets to work their deceit, most is effected by misdirection – making the audience look at one thing while something else is going on somewhere else. The Magician or Illusionist makes a big flourish with one hand while the other secretly picks an object out of – or drops an object into – his pocket. Whenever a performer asks you to concentrate on something you may be sure that the trick is actually being done where you are not concentrating. The magician's ‘patter' is designed partly to entertain and partly to distract.

Magic as a hobby is very satisfying. You don't have to be a David Blaine. You can delight and amaze people if you perform reasonably well, and this could soon lead to your hobby paying for itself and perhaps providing a part time or even full time income. Whilst a Stage Magician needs expensive props, the hobby or amateur Magician can perform tricks with his audience up close – even surrounding him or her, for some tricks – and often uses borrowed objects. These can be the most amazing magic tricks – very satisfying to perform – and will build the performer a magical reputation quickly.