Favourite magic effects (magic tricks).

[Yadda]

Note: This isn't about methods and secrets, just effects, i.e. what appears to be happening (in the mind of the spectator) rather than what is actually happening.

I'll kick things off with an effect with cards called "any card at any number" (ACAAN).

In card magic there are lots of variations on this theme (and lots of different methods of achieving them) but the basic premise is that one spectator names a card and a different spectator names a number. When the cards are dealt out, the position of the chosen card corresponds with the chosen number.

It blew my mind when I first saw it performed and some versions still blow my mind to this day.

(Edit: added a video of a performance.)

So GD, what are some of your favourites?

(I'm fully aware that I might regret asking this. )

 

[Yadda]

Paging @fiveub

Paul Daniels doing the chop cup is hard to be beaten.

*snip*

That's an absolute classic, Feek. PD's chop cup routine is one of my all-time favourites too.

 

[Yadda]

I'll add another, this time a coin routine: Coins across.

An age-old effect where coins appear to travel, one at a time, from one hand to the other. Simple, direct and powerful.

Here's one version that I particularly like, performed by Tyler Rabbit (he follows it with another great routine which is also well worth watching).

 

[Yadda]

Another firm favourite of mine are effects based around techniques used by card cheats. The premise is, again, very simple but the effects appear very magical to me.

 

[Yadda]

@fiveub it's nice to see someone with a magic related signature. What do you dabble in?

 

[Yadda]

My favourite I go back to watch is this one...

Might have to skip through the first bit, however I love the anticipation of them...
*snip*

Yes! That's fantastic. One of my favourites too and I get the feeling it's one that may genuinely have fooled P&T.

 

[Yadda]

I focus mainly on close-up magic, but honestly I've not performed magic professionally for a couple of years now due to being busy with work, and honestly it's probably a good thing during these awful times. A lot of my magician friends are struggling at the moment due to weddings and events being cancelled throughout 2020.

You can see some stuff on my website here: www.stevenlevitt.co.uk I have some videos and photos of me performing on there too.

O wow, I have a lot of respect for anyone who performs professionally - it can't be easy.

It's very sad to see the performing arts being hit particularly hard during this pandemic. I've been really looking forward to visiting a local "magic bar" (in Llandudno) for the first time to see a performance for ages now. I can only hope that there are still some performing magicians left when we emerge from this mess.

Thanks for the link, I'll have look shortly.

Edit: I really enjoyed those performances. I think I'll have half an hour of mirror practice. Thanks again.

 

[Yadda]

I love a good ambitious card routine. It might be one of the most hackneyed effects and is easy to do badly but presented well it's very entertaining.

Here's Tommy Wonder with a brilliant performace of his ambitious card routine with a card to impossible location kicker (excuse the potato quality video).