Close-up magic (also known as table magic or micromagic) is magic performed in an intimate setting usually no more than 3 meters (10 feet) from one's audience and is usually performed while sitting at a table.[1]

A magician performing close-up magic

Sleight-of-hand, also known as prestidigitation ("quick fingers") or léger de main (Fr., "lightness of hand"), is the set of techniques used by a magician to secretly manipulate objects.[2] Coins and playing cards are the most commonly used objects, but any small item can be used such as dice, bottle caps, sugar cubes, sponge balls, pebbles, pens, and cups and balls.[3] A magician may use more than one kind of object in a single trick.

Close-up magicians may also enhance their performance by combining magic with other elements, such as card flourishes. While magic uses misdirection to produce an illusion, these flourishes are more straightforward displays of skill, comparable to juggling.[4]

Another form of micromagic is micromentalism, mentalism performed in an intimate session.[citation needed] This form of mentalism involves examples of telekinesis, extrasensory perception, precognition and telepathy. Most cold reading takes place in such an intimate session, as do most theatrical séances.

Famous performers

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Micro magic tricks

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References

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  1. ^ Wilson, Mark [1975] (1988). Mark Wilson's Complete Course In Magic. Courage Books. ISBN 0-89471-623-9. Card Magic, pp. 17-171
  2. ^ Tarr, Bill. Now You See It, Now You Don't!: Lessons in Sleight of Hand. Vintage. 1976.
  3. ^ Fulves, Karl. Self-Working Table Magic: 97 Foolproof Tricks with Everyday Objects. Dover Publications. 1981.
  4. ^ Hugard, Jean; Braué, Frederick; Fleming, Paul (2015) [1999]. The Royal Road to Card Magic. Mansfield Centre, CT: Dover Publications, Martino Publishing. ISBN 978-1614278603.