Right now my routine consists of six phases. Nothing new or exciting. It's all standard stuff. I don't know how long it takes; I'll have to time it some day. Anyhow here's what I do.

1. Wand through the cup, and maybe cup through cup.

2. Cups are stacked. One ball at a time put on my fist , then penetrates to the bottom cup.

3. Cups spread out in front. One ball under each cup; all three balls appear in the center.

4. Cups spread out in front, again. One ball under each. Then, center cup is shown empty. Ask which cup now has two, which has one. Then reverse it and show the other end cup has two.

5. One ball on top of each cup. Vanish one at a time. They reappear under each cup.
 
6. Step 5 sets me up for the final load.

My question to the experts: Does that routine sound long enough, but not too long? I haven't timed it, but it's only a few minutes. How many phases do you guys do?

As far as length, that depends on your presentation. It doesn't matter how long your routine is, it just matters how you present it and what your audience thinks. Gazzo's routine is one of my favorite routines, yet it is the least-technically demanding routine (besides the Hocus-Pocus Jr. opening). Gazzo's routine only uses five to six very basic phases ((1)- Pass the cups out for examination (2)- collect the cups and do the standard three balls on top, they vanish and all appear under their respective cup (3)- He does this one occasionally: the ball under each cup, middle ball disappears and appears under named cup (4)- Puts balls away, they come back (set up for final load) (5)- Does the "fake" explanation of how it's done, and then reveals the orange under the center cup. (6)- Does the phase with the ball under the hat, then reveals the other five cup loads, and then reveals the melon.) Gazzo can make his simple 5-6 phase routine last a good 30 minutes, keeping everyone entertained the whole time. The bottom line is, what do you want to use it for? Do you think it's good?

My 3 cup routine is 4 phases, that's including the final loads. My 2 cup routine is also 4 phases including the final loads. Doesn't really matter as long as you can keep it interesting. For me six would be waaay too much, especially since I talk my ass off when I perform for people, all I do is talk and crack drug and ball jokes. that alone adds countless minutes to my routine. Okay, not countless but I get about 6-8 minutes at a restaurant from it.

Mike, Eddie, you both said exactly what it's all about; keep it interesting. That's the secret. Sometimes I fly through my routine and it's over before I know it. That's just because I get nervous. The easiest thing in the world to do is confuse the audience. Right now my only audience is the guy in the mirror. Some day I'll get up the nerve to perform again.


Tom

Sometimes, the guy in the mirror can be the toughest audience.  I used to get nervous with my routine and just pretty much do the dreaded "informative" patter. Just have fun, that's what it's all about. I know I've posted this video before, but here's Gazzo's routine (starts around the 2nd half, but I like to watch the whole thing.  )   

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4618101385536580102	powered by Aeva

Remember, just keep it alive. The audience is smarter than you might think, so long as you take your time. 

Thanks Mike. That's the first time I watched the whole thing. It is a simple routine, but the final loads are terrific! He certainly is a great entertainer. That's the way to do it.

Tom