CHAPTER ONE Obviously the first trick to be performed, if you are to become a magician, is to apply a little magic to yourself. Its really very simple. All you need is a little knowledge, a little homework, and a little confidence. This book will give you a little knowledge, and you will add a little homework. Knowledge plus experience produces- magically-all the confidence in the world. And thats all there is to it. Magic is rather like chess. It is very easy to teach some- one how to play chess in just thirty minutes, but it takes many years of experience to become a great chess player. Similarly, it is easy to learn how to perform certain tricks of magic, but it takes many years to become a master of the magicians craft. However, the beginner in magic has this great advantage the world regards a man as a magician if-he can perform as few as three or four tricks in an interesting and entertaining manner. A magicians reputation always rests upon the mystery and entertainment in the few tricks he performs, rather than upon the extent of his repertoire. A grasp of the essential points in magic-the performer, his tricks, and his audience-will make it much easier to beconle a magician. The rest of this chapter is devoted to a discussion of you, the performer, and your audience. If you study the next few pages carefully, you will save yourself much effort in becoming a magician, as well as ensuring that your tricks will work.....