Magic Question - What Magic Tricks Get the Best Reactions? 

You absolutely nailed this list. Been doing this for nearly 30 years and I find myself always going back these classics for optimal reactions. Simple and convenient. As the old saying goes, less is more. Great content David.

Sponge balls is no surprise, and the rabbits is even better. A great example of magician's being tired of something that normal people love. Thanks for this video. Insanely practical reminder.

As a 40yr old magician who goes to meets & jams, often feeling lazy or inadequate compared to other magicians both younger & older who smash out palms & shifts & passes & steals & transpos & all, while this list of yours is pretty much my full repertoire for the past decade & a bit. My question for adding new material is always, "do I want to fool the average person or other magicians?" The answer is always regular muggles. This list is more than enough.

I didn’t do sponge tricks for years because they were juvenile. Now I do them in every walk-around, they amaze people. I’ve also been doing Grandma’s Miracle - it gets fantastic responses.

The best reactions I've ever gotten are from Elmsley/Jordan count routines. More specifically, "Backflip" and "Capitulating Queens." In Backflip you count four cards to show three red backs and an ace, then ask the spectator which ace was face up. He answers correctly, but you count them again and show three red backs and a different ace. You do this for all four aces and the spectator gets it wrong every time. Then you tell the spectator that you'll make it easier for him and ask him what color the backs of the cards are. He says red and you turn the pack over and show him four blue backs. Then you turn the pack face up again and show that you still only have the four aces, and then when you turn them face down for the last time the backs are a third color. With Capitulating Queens (very similar) you show four face up queens and tell the spectator that one of them has an odd colored back. You ask them which one they think it is, and no matter which one they say you turn the cards over and count through them, showing three red backs and an odd colored back, which is the queen they named. Then you say "but it was a one and four chance, maybe I just got lucky." So you choose a different queen and when you turn the cards over and count through them again, you show three red backs and one odd backer of a third color, which is the second selection. After doing the first three queens and each one being the only odd colored back, then you show the last queen really does have a red back. But then when you turn the pack over and count again there are three _blue_ cards, with the only red card being the final queen that you hadn't shown yet. Then, as a finisher, you turn the whole pack over and show four cards with backs that are four different colors. Leople go absolutely crazy for these tricks.

Thanks David, good selection. Vanishing Silk/Hanky is top on my list. The first effect I learned and seeing the reactions I always feel like a real Magician. Even though there are tons of resources showing how it’s done in principle and it is also cheap to buy (and probably contained in most magic kits) - if you find your way to do it right - it can become a miracle.

"Offering your first born child" no wonder this is the only channel I pay to be a part of, the guy is a legend :) also some solid advice and actually helped to get me a card routine together. Thank you David, my invisible deck journey is currently underway (mirage deck seems cool)♣

Great Selection. Thank you for taking the time to produce the very informative video

The best reaction I get as hobbyist is from Out Of This World. There's a reason this is a classic. I do the Jerx's version which is the strongest and easiest version I've come across. Thanks for another great video!

16 years of card magic later, Crazy Man's Handcuffs still hits the hardest... 🤣🤣😭

Invisible deck is top for me but it's combined with an extremely visual deck production... its a little risky but they poop golden bricks when the deck appears & then their card being turned over is icing on the cake

Always delighted to see your thoughts and opinions. Appreciate your efforts

Strange travelers is my go to Cards across trick. It kills!

Little hand still to this day gets some of the best reactions everytime lol

I’m a beginner magician and I just bought Pokémonte after watching your review because I was so impressed. I’ve always been impressed by simple magic.

Hey David! Great video as usual. I do many of them: Ironically I'm practicing and performing Standup Monte by Garrett Thomas now. My active sets include many that you mentioned: McDonald's aces, red hot moma - Michael Ammar's version , Pro Aces by Paul Gordon, Ace by Richard Sanders(similar to NFW, which I used to do until I found Aces) Ignition by Chris smith(pen through effect), sponge balls, Pro-flight and nested wallets(Ring flight effect) and my favorite - Any card by Richard Sanders(invisible desk on steroids IMO). Thanks for the unbiased and informative reviews!

Harry Anderson needle through the arm, always gets peoples attention and it’s just fun to do. Thx

James Brown has some amazing simple coin under watch, coin on shoulder stuff in "fancy pot of jam"

2 card Monte is my strongest card routine, but Out of this World gives it a run for it's money! I've been a card magician for 22 years and I'm embarrassed that don't yet know a Ambitious Card routine but that's about to change! Turns out I have it in a old book I have called Street Magic Secrets Revealed!

Will certainly learn some of them. Thanks

I get asked to do sponge rabbits more than ANY other trick period! Rabbits having babies in spectators hands is a classic!!

Great Video David. Especially for me, because I do every one of the effects you had on the list! Thanks!! I might suggest Professor's Nightmare as at least an honorable mention.

Thanks David great stuff as always! I oddly have amazing reactions to Rope Nut Knot, just kills and Ring Flight or Double Crossed. I think it's the presentation of any effect that's important, David Stone can make a TT effect incredible and impactful where someone could struggle to raise a gasp! I think the number one trick is to learn how to present any effect really well.. the plot, the sleights and motivation for certain movements and audiences engagement and how your style suits the magic you are performing, once you have that down any effect can be a killer !!!🤯😎 Thanks David.

This list is so useful! Thanks for the compilation David! Did you survey many experienced magicians?

Great list. Some of my best for reactions: Contact Colors by Aldo Colombini Crazy Cube. Yes, lol. Double Back by Jon Allen A chop cup or ungimmicked one cup routine.

Wonderful list. 👍👍

I will always have Chicago Opener on my close-up set. Also I have an addition with predictions because of my personal handling.

Great list. Thanks for a great video. I just love your channel! I've been doing magic for 7 years. I've heard of about half of the tricks you mentioned and do a few. I absolutely agree with the sponge balls/sponge rabbits and the Invisible Deck. Pen thru Bill is also one of my favorites. I would also add Cups and Balls. I perform it on the street (Table magic) all the time. It is sooo entertaining and baffling to a layman. Worried that "A lot of people know it"?. Don't be. Most don't. And even if they do, they will enjoy your presentation if it's polished and engaging. When someone says during your presentation "I know how you're doing that", just say "Now don't tell anyone okay. You can sell that secret on Ebay for a lot of money" and continue with your routine. I would add one more to the list of Tricks with Greatest Reactions: Killer Key by Jay Sankey. It absolutely rocks. Get it. You'll be glad you did. The important thing, as was mentioned in the video, learn the tricks that "Call to you", that fit your style and character.

Interesting that these classic effects that have been around for a long time still get the best reactions. I’d add Dr. Daley’s Last Trick. I also love Out of this World.

I use the pat page's spone ball to routine "balls, balls' balls" super clean can be used for any age, and the balls all start and end in the same pocket which is amazing for the working magican. I think sponges are so strong because the magic happens in the spectator's hands. I think some people under sell the invisible deck. It can be used for any type or perforance setting. It can also be used for mentalism

Alright - you made me revisit my 3D Sponge Rabbits and you are correct - EVERYONE loves them. A very comprehensive list David. Thank you, Ed

Thanks for this list

My go-to card effect is ACR. My second (a "quick trick") is Bizzare Twist. My card set continues my ACR with an Ace routine with the Signed card as a kicker. That follows with 4 for 4, and finishes with card to wallet. I think I'm good with a couple of these top 10s.

Nice job, Dave. Thanks!

I often perform the card across routine Phantom from Spidey. It's really easy to perform and it gets killer reactions :)

I’m Not going to ad, but start here then work to replace them all with your own! Because I work a lot with other magicians. And in the Big City people have seen other Magicians! Hopefully Good magicians and get big reactions! So as a pro I must have a flexible Repertoire. And in close up walk around really All are closers! A lot of powerful magic out there, and these are so much fun to work on. In this video There are hints of why these tricks get reactions, and these ideas can be applied to all your magic.

In my limited experience Dan Harlan's Vortex has got the strongest reaction.They were drunk tho lol

Definitely a monte effect for no 1. I would add pk touches and a good psych force (when it hits) have given me the best reactions.

LIT!!!!! sponge balls!!! Triumph!!! Card toon!!!!

Love a good Monte. "Daryl Does the Full Monte" is my favourite resource for that. The Cards Across I first learned was Alan Shaxon's "The Three Cards Fly Again" from his book, My Kind of Magic. A little dated now as the original uses a silk, but could be easily tweaked if that isn't your style. The first time I saw Card Warp it was Roy Walton who performed it, and I was suitably amazed. It does get fantastic reactions and would definitely be in my top 3. When I was first starting out in magic, I had an Out to Lunch effect (although I had no idea that's what it was) that was basically a spectator signed prediction and a cut force. That always got a great reaction too - possibly more than my performance deserved!

Ashes on the arm, creates a great freaky gasp of reactions! Also, torn n restored sugar packet

Chicago Opener is also my thousand timer-- always open with that when pull out a deck of cards!!! I really need to take out NFW with me more-- NFW is fantastic !!!! Also-- I always carry one gimmicked deck along with my regular deck-- and most of the time it's a ID. Great list Dave !!!!

That video give me a great idea on "how to create a full routine" THX SO MUCH

Dave! Recent pub gig, i performed sponge balls ( which I happened to video) had a office group , especially the one guy freak out! Jump up n down type freak out! Exactly like an L n L audience! I keep it very simple , ball vanishes from my hand to spectator n then repeat. I always prime photographers of this moment! One of the few captured magic moments possible. I would add Omni deck reaction is very similar. I performed coin under watch today while getting a coffee. Waitress ran off to the back! Iv never done card warp or Montes, time to add them. But a lot of framing and presentation can make a simple trick memorable. ( Floating note done impromptu, float for few seconds only) Enjoy your reviews! Tx

David My top 4 Trace by Sansmind Medusa had them running French kiss. Women still have the card in there purse Also OCD Sansmind

Out of this World. Chicago Opener. Ambitious Card all gotta be in there.

As a budding amateur I gotta say cards across is great. Takes some time to get the performance of it down, but I do Las Vegas Leaper by Paul Harris. 3 card Monte is also fun for a crowd too.

I worked on the first Blaine special. ZERO audience coaching.

I think "any card" by richard sanders is a great replacement for invisible deck.

Almost anything that uses the spectators hands elevate the reactions.

Doesn’t matter what tricks. If you’re good you’re good. THATS what gets you reactions. The end

I paused it to try to guess what the #1 will be 😁. I have 2 guesses, 1: D'lites or 2: anything with fire... 🤞🏼 Oh well... I do CM all the time! Love it!

Nice list. A little surprised B'Wave wasn't ranked. I would have liked to have seen at least one BILL type effect. Either the quick version of Mismade Bill using the T.T. or Extreme Burn. Both killer effect that always get the WOW factor .

Fun and surprising video! When you started, I said out-loud... Number 1 will be a gambling routine. People relate to that stuff, perhaps because it's 'real world' and recognizable? I was surprised to see that it was a Monte Routine! But my experience is that the folks that I know and perform for prefer the card control material over the more 'magical' effects (contrary to the conventional wisdom of magicians). Maybe it has to do with the assumption of skill, or the presumption of fairness that comes with only using cards and no gimmicks? Perhaps that's why coins across, Lazy Man's HC and sponge balls have staying power? Might create a video soon to discuss it.

Great Video, but it is going to gravitate to the MOST commonly known tricks for obvious reasons. There are some amazing things out there that aren't quite as well known. For example, I always have a small version of psipher in my deck of cards. That and a post it pad and sharpie, creates the most amazing possibilities ever.

Great list! I'd add PK touch for me. People go nuts.

Good Cards Across routine: Simon Aaronson's Red Sea Passover - in his Bound to Please - very strong

Seeing a color changing silk trick was one of the craziest things I saw IRL once. Adam Wilbur of Vulpine Solutions iirc says levitations are really strong too. He says they're so strong that they are best left as (or, they are strong if left as) an ending trick.

great list David 👍🏻👍🏻 quite a few surprises, for sure Unfortunately, I think a lot of marketing trailers showing great reactions are after multiple takes 🤨

For cards across, hard to beat Las Vegas Leaper found in The Art of Astonishment volume 1 by Paul Harris

I performed invisible deck recently at a local convenient store for two cashiers and let me tell you, the one lady went completely speechless (fumbling her words and basically forgot how to talk) and the other's eyes got so wide, hands covering her mouth, she was losing it right there on the spot. I then gathered up the deck, thanked them for letting me show something and walked out, both people standing there like they just saw a miracle, and by their reactions, they had 🙂👍 Great video Dave, thoroughly enjoyed it!

Falling in with the other #3 options I would say Sankey's Killer Key. If you do coin slights this trick is falls perfectly into a routine.

Surprisingly, David Copperfield's CM handcuffs is good to watch, as his hand position is great. Stephen Tucker's Blind Faith is my fave monte. And I still love the Chicago Opener. Thanks David.

I do impromptu close-up stuff. Thumb tip creativity, Steam & Triad Coins gets big reactions.

0:35 Forgetting social media for a moment and focusing only on the television specials, that's always the same trick. It's the old classic effect of hiring paid actors to watch magic on the sidewalk. 😂 I don't think most RU-vidrs do that, but the million dollar television magicians definitely do.

If you have the money do Any Card by Sanders instead of invisible deck Oddity is a great alternative if you don't want to keep buying a new deck

Triumph or sloppy shuffle hits hard for me besides 2 card monte. Or here then there which i think wayne houchin did a new version called french kiss. 3 go to tricks

I agree that "Card to Wallet" is very strong, but I've been doing magic along time and I've never had a spectator start screaming or running away - as often seen on trailers for marketed effects. I've found that the strongest reactions come from cards unexpectedly changing . Dai Vernon remarked that "Matching the Cards" garnered the strongest reactions. Three cards are "changed" in that effect, and I think that is what makes it so strong. Same with NFW! I also think it's because the conditions within these effects appear to preclude obvious skullduggery.

A great video again! You know, I actually own Color Monte -it's really inexpensive - but have never bothered to perform it. It just seems so...ordinary? Pedestrian? I'm not sure what it is, but I've avoided performing it. Thanks to your video, I'm going to pull it out of the drawer and give it some practice. Thanks!

I'm not working on any card magic at the moment, I'd be like a kid at Christmas, literally lol, if I had all these. I'd master each one obsessively!

Rising Card is by far best reaction i get

My top 4 that people still talk about Trace. Sandsmind Medusa CTC Leap Have you ever watched these or reviewed them? I have a live performance I could share.

Spinge bunnies kills. I love sponges; they are fun and easy to best payoff to time invested.

It’s insane that out of this world isn’t in here, I destroy people with it. Great list other wise

Great video 📹.... I wonder if you can help me figure out a card trick I saw kevin kapinos did in a video at magifest 2023 where he had a spectator call out a card and he pulls it from his pocket fast....does it three times in a row.

Sponge balls typically gets the greatest reaction for me. Whenever I am performing, then I carry my sponge balls on me just in case. As far as a great cards across is concerned, I highly recommend Tommy James' Kids Cards Across which uses banana and apple flash cards. I have a patter for adults and it does well.

Las Vegas Leaper is a great cards across effect

I too LOVE the Monti routines but being a senior with a beginner skill set, I like the two card Monti using a "double facer" (I like using the Ace on one side and a lower number on the back side.... and the second card is a "double backer" where as the Its VERY EASY to do and visual but obviously its NOT examine-able but good for a quick lead into something else to distract from them wanting to examine the cards. I also like another version of Monti.... "Mathematical Monti" that one IS examineable with nothing left but the three regular cards (not gaffed in any way) and can be ANY three the performer desires. There is NO sleight of hand or "trick moves".... it just works. Just MY thoughts on Monti.... I Love watching "three card monti" but don't have the hand dexterity or ability to stay focused on the routine so the two I mentioned work well for me. I first stumbled on to the "Mathematical Monti" on RU-vid where it was taught many years ago and then forgot about it. I recently picked up a trick (from Penguin) "Fine Print" by Jay Sankey and the video taught by Nick Locapo features several routines and the very last one has the Mathiematical Monti and for me..... that alone was worth the cost of the "Fine Print". Anyway this is just my two 2cents..... and perhaps MAYBE this will help someone else (such as a beginner like myself)

🔥🔥🔥

Cool video

"Color Monte"!!

Did my old Sponge ball routine for niece about a month ago and got huge reactions. I think that it is a good idea to have a small set of Sponge balls on you in case a very young child wants to volunteer. The reactions are just as big because the balls are proportional to the hands. I have seen magicians turn away a small child because their sponge balls won’t fit the child’s tiny hands. The magician gets great reactions but no one ever looks at the child who was turned away. They are devastated and will grow up to hate magic. For $8 buy 4 small sets. Let the child keep them and you will be surprised when years later she walks up to you with the balls! Talk about making a lasting impression!

$100 bill switch? Or does this fall into a category you’ve mentioned? Hundy 500 has amazing reactions…. Definitely the, “I don’t know if I can afford this performer for a private party” reaction… and then the performer follows up with, “hire me, I’ll give you a ‘friend rate’ as long as I can offer my services in the future to your guests at the event”.

Card to Orange

Johnny Ace Palmer teaches a great "Coin Under Watch".

I have done sponge balls and all three monti tricks and they have been killers.

Jokers wild is my biggest reaction trick

I do most of these tricks, i am havent done a coins or cards across and i dont like the card to wallet tricks. However i also live somewhere where the best reaction you can have is: Oh cool anyways...

Oh also, Double Cross. 👌

I hve got a LOT of mileage out of Color Monte.

Interesting list! Another I have gotten great reactions to is Richard Sanders’ bills change, EXTREME BURN. I recently did Dai Vernon’s original TWISTING THE ACES and was surprised at the strong reaction. I wished I had with me one of the more advanced versions with a double color change or Nick Trost’s TRIK-KARDS.

Bill switch should be listed.

Something with a stacked deck i.e. STEBBINS

scotch and soda

Best routines have multiple kickers

Coins across to the spectator's hand. Either Bobo or Roth

Wait, what do you mean by "ungimmicked" Card Warp? Is there a way?

Hmmm... I don't think I'm doing the Chicago opener correctly... I don't get those crazy reactions. Everyone's like "Yup, it's this one on the table...". But Sponge balls - yes!!! I know you have to open with something strong, so I've always opened with sponge balls, but I actually heard someone say that sponge balls are "too strong" to open ;) Go figure. Cards across: I found the easiest way is Lawrence Hass's one from his Penguin Live.

It's a decent list, but there are definitely things I would kick off and replacements I would add. I'd add: Ashes on palm/double cross Haunted deck Signed coin bend Billet peek It's also worth mentioning that the tricks with the best reactions in the moment aren't always the best long term. Sometimes, you'll get screams with a trick that someone will figure out 5 minutes later. And other times, you'll get a more subdued reaction with a trick, but the spectator will remember it for years to come. When choosing between the two, I'd rather do a trick that makes people lose sleep than one that makes them scream and is then forgotten.

spongeball to dingdong on a gaybar... man... hell just breaks lose...😆😆😆😆