I don’t do table-hopping anymore, except in an emergency. But when I was doing this, here is a little strategy that is easy to make, doesn’t cost a lot and is really fun to perform. This gets all your props in a handy case, supplies an additional performing surface on the dining tables full of cutlery, and gives an excellent introduction.
When I was booked in a posh hotel in Berlin many years ago, I was forced to stay around the hotel lobby and spot victims for my nagging close-up magic. But I didn’t want to run around with a doctor’s bag or stupid boxes, let alone the aluminum attaché cases from the home supply store. So I got the idea to switch over to a chess box! You can get these quite cheaply on eBay.
As you can see, the box easily takes all the necessary equipment for two or three table-hopping sets of about 5–6 minutes’ duration, depending on the material you perform. One side is covered with felt to ease card and coin work; the other side is left as is. This is now your new case, which you even can put onto the table in the corner. That way you have a little stage for your miracles.
But the best thing is the approach this now affords you. You walk around in the restaurant or hotel, with the closed chess box under your arm, the checkered side showing, the felt side against your body. People will perceive you as someone running around with a chess set and not as a magician. Approach the table, put on your “I am the greatest” smile and ask, who has ordered to play a game of chess between the courses of the meal.
Now enjoy the puzzled faces, smile and deliver the usual line: “Nobody? That’s fine, lucky me because I actually don’t play chess; I am the house magician ….”
Now I have stopped doing table-hopping and will leave that to the new generation. I prefer to actually play chess on the board, which fits an older man better than walking around dinner tables.
Cute, isn’t it? 🙂