At Grahams Care & Share day in Birmingham, one of the lecturers mentioned crowd control and his (I think it was Geoff) way of controlling them and finishing the line etc.

It was mentioned that he told the children they were number one, two, three etc etc.

I tried a variation of this on Saturday, I was very busy with four hours twisting and normally when I'm that busy I ask them to form a line so I know who's next. This time I gave out about 8 to 10 of my post (advertising) cards to the children standing in front of me. But first, as I gave them out I wrote their number on it.

It worked great!! Better than I had expected. One thing I found was I got more people asking about my shows and dates and prices than I've ever had before, the reason was because while they were holding their cards with their number on, they were reading my advert (picture below). I hadn't thought of that. I always give a card out, but it normally goes right into their bags.

I also found as other people were approaching, they were asking where to get a number/card and the other parents stood waiting told them that when I finish this group I hand out more.

On top of that, it meant I had a small crowd around me continuously being entertained and in full control.

I've used numbered tickets before but that's a really good idea on your post card and also the idea not to hand out another ten until those are done, for ultimate control of your tea breaks and schedule.  Geoff's patter strategy for dealing with the end of the line, as outlined in his lecture, does deal with the situation very effectively as well.
I have on occasion used menus in the past for choices of models but more for comedy and to inspire than for strict sticking to them, eg with lots of different designs on one side and then just dog and sword on the other, you explain how you turn the menu round if you don't like someone or if its going home time.  There's lots of scope for pictures, jokes, optical illusions etc to have on laminated cards to help amuse the line (in addition to, of course, not instead of your own hilarious and charismatic banter)

Nice one Billy Wiz, I'm gonna try that!