Misdirection

Misdirection isn’t about tricking people into looking away. It’s about directing attention: putting it where you want it, so the secret happens where nobody is looking. Good misdirection is invisible. Nobody walks away thinking “they distracted me.”

Attention follows a few simple things

• Your eyes. People look where you look. If you watch your empty hand, so will they.
• Your voice. A question pulls attention to your face. “Do you remember your card?” lifts every eye in the room.
• Movement. A large movement draws attention away from a small one.
• Novelty. Something new, a sound or a new object, grabs attention immediately.

Relaxation is your friend

Audiences watch closely when they think something is about to happen, and relax when they think it’s over. The moment right after an effect, while they’re reacting, is one of the safest moments to do something secret.

What it isn’t

Misdirection is not rudeness, and it’s not a crutch for a bad sleight. If you have to shout “look at that!” to hide a move, the move needs more practice.