Even the best close-up magician needs some tools in their magician’s arsenal. Close-up magic requires a lot of little trinkets and objects, and while you might not expect a magician to pull a kitchen sink out of their case, there are some stable tools which every magician needs.

As props for magic acts, or as a part of their range of emergency items for when a trick goes awry, each magician keeps a little something hidden away. Here, we present a list of some of the most essential tools that helps magicians make their acts a success. But first, let’s take a look at how a magician decides what the essentials are.

What is a Magician’s Essential?

Firstly, each magician is different, which means that along with their way of performing the trick, even the items they use in the trick are also going to be different. This is probably why some magician’s tool kits are bigger than others. For example, with less experienced magicians, they lug around massive magic cases with them in fear that they might run out of material. This practice is obviously less common in experienced magicians. For the best magician in the world, the only thing they’ll need is the right audience and a set of cards to make their show a success. Take Noel Qualter for instance. As a professional close-up magician, the only tools that he carries are ones which can easily fit in his magic case with room to spare. That is the sign of a successful magician.

So What Are the Essentials?

Here, we’ll provide a list of essentials that are most needed by the best close-up magicians.

Breath Mints and Nail Cutters

More than the tips, tricks and props that can be used to make a close-up act a success, the one thing that the best close-up magicians focus on is that of personal appearance. A close-up magician does not perform on stage, so a tip-top appearance is crucial. Along with that, having a lint roller and a travel sewing kit can really help in any snafu that you might face.

Extra Set of Cards

You never know when you might need one. With close-up magicians, the one thing that can always come in handy is an extra set of cards. Since many tricks involve the use of cards, having something extra will keep your paranoia at bay, which brings us to…

Spare Pens and Sharpies

There is nothing more embarrassing than handing over a dried up sharpie so that they can sign their signature on the card. This is an important factor to focus on, as it not only makes you seem a bit unprofessional but it also makes the magician seem like they hadn’t done this trick in a while, and were thus, unpopular.

These are just some of the essential tools that every magician needs. So go ahead and start rummaging in your own magic case, and get busy with your own essential tools.