Magic Question: What are the 'RULES' of Performing Magic?

The Rules of Magic / Top 3 Rules of Magic

Howard Thurston was a stage magician from Columbus, Ohio, United States. His childhood was unhappy, and he ran away to join the circus, where his future partner Harry Kellar also performed. Thurston was deeply impressed after he attended magician Alexander Herrmann's magic show and was determined to equal his work. He eventually became the most famous magician of his time.

Thurston's three rules of magic are STILL the rules that professional and hobby magicians go by as their "code of conduct" and they are:

1. Never reveal the secret to a trick—it ruins the mystery.

2. Do not repeat tricks in front of the same audience—no matter how much they beg! Most magic is based on the spectator not knowing what to expect. The second time around they will know what to look for, and might spot the secret!

3. Practice to Perfection – never show a trick until you can do it properly every time—A poorly done trick inadvertently breaks rule No. 1.

[magicorthodoxy]

These are not my rules: These are Howard Thurston's rules - look him up on google kids

[dozone]

Pro tip: Once is a magic trick. Twice is a lesson.

[BobbyFiermonti]

Love these rules! Absolutely the code of honor. 100% live by the trick, die by the trick!

[stormyweather]

GREAT ADVICE. THANKS FOR SHARING, DAVID!

[stevenholt]

4th rule is, don't feed them after midnight. Never tell your audience what you're about to do, if you do, they'll be watching out for how it's done, that's exposure as well.

[skrillexguetta]

I totally agree. Without secrets, there is no mystery and without mystery there is no magic. So let us stop exposing magical secrets and leave the secret with the magician.

[SeeminglyOdd]

And the fourth rule of magic is "You never do the Cups and Balls with clear plastic cup".

[purplepineapple]

Sociologist here. It's incredible learning about this sub culture.

[GavHern]

it actualy took practace for me to keep the secret, thats why i performed only in my house for a few days until i got that down

[joncarnes]

Great video. Really, really great. Ala Solomon...the best stuff is the most basic stuff. Character and it's corresponding core values are the root of all true magic. I dig it rev.

[SatchelSwede]

there should be a book on a step by step coaching book to train new people.... some people don't even know where to start with cards.

[martonjakabblatniczky]

Unfortunately there are a lot of "noobs", who never practises, can't do a good DL, but exposes everything...

[MexieMex]

Love the 'practice kids' clip ;^>

[bm]

Rule 1: dumb. If someone hadn't quickly explained a few card tricks to me, I would not have known that they are essentially simple moves that just require a little attention to perspective, as well as a lot of hard training. I still wouldn't be bothered. So I would not have started getting into card tricks at all. I wouldn't be buying cards, I wouldn't be buying books, I wouldn't be subscribing to channels like this, I wouldn't spend my nights at home alone with cards in my hand until everything spirals into the carpal tunnel again.
Knowing how a guitar is played doesn't make you a good guitar player, nor does it make listening to someone play guitar boring all of a sudden. Worst case scenario, life goes on as before. Best case scenario, you pick up a guitar and start playing yourself, maybe inspiring someone along the way, or showing them a trick or two to get them started or hooked or make them advance.
Rule 2: agree.
Rule 3: while I agree with the sentiment of respecting intellectual property, your argumentation is not really coherent. "Trading means you no longer have that trick." So... stealing doesn't mean the stolen thing is gone? Stealing is exactly the same as one-way trading - one party now has the thing, and the other party now no longer has the thing. But what you're essentially saying in the video is "don't do that, because... uhm... well... because!" I don't agree. Don't do it, because you wouldn't want the same to happen to you. If you ever "invent" something original, and someone else started copying and using it without your consent, would you really like that? Besides, if that "invention" is in any way legally protected, e.g. copyrighted or patented or something, then you're in for a world of trouble. Be smart, keep your nose clean.

[marcuspi]

I'd say there is one exception to rule number 1. When a magician is so good that seeing how the trick is done is way more impressive than just seeing the trick. But most of the time, it's true. When you learn how a trick is done, it's usually a bit disappointing.

[nobody-qiyf]

I feel like there should be YouTube channels that show you how the tricks are done not ones that are on the market today but the classics cuz if we don't teach him no one ever will YouTube is the biggest learning platform in the world if you want magic to live on I feel like sharing the classics on YouTube is the best way of it

[waytay]

Thank you for your videos. Sir, I respectfully ask you, if every amateur, semi-pro, or professional magician subscribed to your thinking of NEVER showing/teaching/passing on ANY of their craft, then how will the very craft we love ever live on?? How will the art of magic grow and continue to prosper? That thinking seems to be archaic and dated. I'm thankful many magicians don't share your view, otherwise according to your opinion then magic would die with those who currently know? Thank you sir for your time and your videos.

[Dave-ipkx]

Shitto!! The Kid!!! Am I the only one concerned about that child?? O__O
and his brother is like "Run!!" xD

[QuinnTube]

Depending on the persona that you're using, you can respond to "how is that done?' by saying "very well."

[chuckyonesti]

at this point for me, magic it's a hobby. I only perform tricks I learned from books or dvd's that I purchased. I am a strong believer in supporting, because I always put myself into the creator's shoes. I respect those who know how to keep the art alive and buy their tricks. Everybody should do so.