The Most Popular Trick, Ranked

Choose the trick you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 3, 2024 06:52
In a community where the excitement of magic tricks compels each member, being aware of the top tricks helps both novices and experts improve their craft. It provides an opportunity for everyone to see what captivates audiences the most and highlights what techniques might be worth learning. By voting, each member contributes to this ongoing conversation about which tricks truly dazzle and resonate. As votes accumulate, they paint a clearer picture of what appeals to the broader community, guiding newcomers towards what might be essential tricks to master. For long-time enthusiasts, it offers a reflection of shifting trends and preferences within the magical arts. Your participation fuels this dynamic tapestry, ensuring that the list remains both current and relevant to the community's evolving tastes.

What Is the Most Popular Trick?

  1. 1
    46
    votes
    Card tricks
    ABC Television · Public domain
    Card tricks are the most popular type of magic trick. They are easy to perform and can be done with a regular deck of cards. Card tricks are known for their versatility and endless possibilities.
    Card tricks are a type of magic trick performed with a deck of playing cards. These tricks involve various techniques to manipulate and control the cards in a way that appears impossible to the audience. Card tricks can include effects like finding a chosen card, making a card disappear and reappear, or predicting a card that a spectator merely thought of.
    • Skill level: Varies from simple tricks that can be learned by beginners to advanced techniques requiring years of practice.
    • Deck size: Typically performed with a standard deck of 52 playing cards, but can be adapted to different deck sizes or configurations.
    • Sleight of hand: Card tricks often involve various sleight of hand techniques, such as shuffling, palming, false cuts, and false deals.
    • Pattern or presentation: Card tricks often follow a specific pattern or routine, which includes a presentation designed to engage and entertain the audience.
    • Misdirection: Card tricks rely heavily on misdirection, diverting the audience's attention away from the secret moves and actions performed by the magician.
  2. 2
    27
    votes
    Magic tricks that involve levitation have always been popular among audiences. The illusion of an object or person floating in mid-air is fascinating and mesmerizing.
    Levitation is a popular magic trick that creates an illusion of an object or person floating in mid-air. The magician appears to defy the laws of gravity by making the subject rise and remain suspended without any form of visible support.
    • Effect: Creating the illusion of levitation
    • Types: Stage levitation, self-levitation, object levitation
    • Difficulty: Varies depending on the type of levitation, ranging from moderate to advanced
    • Props: Various props can be used, including chairs, tables, and specially designed devices
    • Visibility: The levitation is typically performed in front of an audience, so the method must be well-hidden
  3. 3
    14
    votes
    Disappearing acts are a classic magic trick that has been around for centuries. They involve making an object, person, or animal disappear from the stage in front of a live audience.
    The Disappearing act is a classic magic trick where an object or person appears to vanish from sight in an instant.
    • Difficulty level: Moderate to difficult
    • Effect type: Illusion
    • Performing conditions: Stage or close-up
    • Props required: Varies (ex: cloth, box, curtain)
    • Skill type: Sleight of hand or misdirection
  4. 4
    18
    votes

    Sawing in Half

    P.T. Selbit
    This illusion involves sawing a person in half and then putting them back together again. It is a classic magic trick that has been performed by many famous magicians.
    The 'Sawing in Half' is a classic illusion where a magician appears to saw a person in half and then magically restore them back to normal.
    • Type: Stage illusion
    • Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced
    • Audience size: Small to large
    • Props needed: Sawing box, assistant
    • Time to perform: Approximately 5-10 minutes
  5. 5
    7
    votes

    Escape Tricks

    Harry Houdini
    Escape tricks are a type of magic trick that involves escaping from a dangerous situation or escaping from a locked object or container.
    Escape Tricks is a popular magic trick that involves a performer escaping from various restraints, such as handcuffs, ropes, or containers. It captivates and amazes audiences through the seemingly impossible feats of breaking free from seemingly secure and impossible situations.
    • Duration: Usually performed within 5-10 minutes
    • Difficulty Level: Varies depending on the specific trick, but generally considered challenging
    • Audience interaction: May involve volunteering participants from the audience
    • Suspense: Creates a thrilling atmosphere with anticipation and tension
    • Variety of restraints: Involves different types of handcuffs, ropes, chains, or containers for escaping
  6. 6
    10
    votes
    Mentalism is a type of magic trick that involves the performer appearing to read the minds of their audience members.
    Mentalism is a form of magic that focuses on the performer's ability to seemingly read minds, predict future events, and demonstrate extraordinary mental abilities. It often involves psychological manipulation, suggestion, and a deep understanding of human behavior. The performer appears to have the power to perceive and influence thoughts, emotions, and actions of others, creating a sense of mystery and astonishment.
    • Mind Reading: The performer demonstrates the ability to accurately perceive thoughts, ideas, or personal information of a participant without any prior knowledge.
    • Prediction: The performer predicts future events, such as specific outcomes, choices, or actions, often utilizing sealed envelopes, written predictions, or digital mediums.
    • Psychological Influence: The performer employs various techniques to influence and manipulate the decisions, beliefs, or behaviors of individuals, giving the illusion of mind control.
    • Telepathy: The performer creates the impression of communicating thoughts or messages between individuals without any recognizable means of transmission.
    • Cold Reading: The performer uses observation, deduction, and psychological techniques to provide specific and accurate information about a person's characteristics, personality traits, or life experiences.
  7. 7
    13
    votes

    Fire Tricks

    David Copperfield
    Fire tricks are a type of magic trick that involves using fire as a prop. They are often dangerous and require a great deal of skill and experience to perform successfully.
    Fire Tricks is a type of illusion magic that involves manipulating fire for dramatic visual effects during a performance. These tricks are often performed by magicians or illusionists to captivate and awe their audiences.
    • Danger Level: High
    • Performance Type: Stage Magic
    • Skill Level: Advanced
    • Props Required: Fire-related materials
    • Audience Size: Medium to Large
  8. 8
    13
    votes
    Rope tricks are a type of magic trick that involves using ropes and knots to create illusions. They are often used in conjunction with other magic tricks.
    Rope Tricks is a classic magic trick that involves various illusions and manipulations with a rope. The magician uses a single rope or multiple ropes to create visual effects and seemingly impossible feats.
    • Type: Magic trick
    • Level: Intermediate to advanced
    • Effect: Illusion and manipulation with rope
    • Popular Apparatus: Magician's rope
    • Variations: Numerous variations exist
  9. 9
    6
    votes
    Silk tricks are a type of magic trick that involves using silk scarves as props. They are often used in conjunction with other magic tricks.
    Silk Tricks refers to a category of magic tricks that involve the use of silk handkerchiefs or scarves. These tricks are known for their elegance, grace, and visual appeal. Magicians use various techniques to manipulate the silk fabric, creating stunning illusions that captivate audiences.
    • Props: Silk handkerchiefs or scarves
    • Manipulation Techniques: Dyeing, vanishing, appearing, multiplying, knotting, etc.
    • Size Options: Various sizes ranging from small pocket squares to large stage-sized silks
    • Colors: Wide variety of vibrant colors
    • Gimmicks: Certain tricks may utilize gimmicked silks for specific effects
  10. 10
    5
    votes
    Coin tricks are a type of magic trick that involves using coins as props. They are often used in conjunction with other magic tricks.
    Coin tricks are a type of magic trick that involve manipulating and performing illusions with coins. The magician uses sleight of hand techniques to make the coins appear, disappear, or change in some way. Coin tricks are popular among both professional magicians and hobbyists, and can create awe-inspiring moments of astonishment for audiences of all ages.
    • Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
    • Props: Coins
    • Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
    • Audience Participation: Possible
    • Sleight of Hand Required: Yes

Missing your favorite trick?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular trick

  1. Difficulty
    The difficulty level of a trick is a key factor in its popularity.
  2. Innovation
    Tricks that are new and innovative tend to be more popular.
  3. Visual appeal
    Tricks that look visually appealing to the audience typically have a higher level of popularity.
  4. Popularity
    The overall popularity of a trick can also play a major role in the rankings.
  5. Historical importance
    Tricks that have played a significant role in the history of the sport or activity can be highly regarded and popular.
  6. Creativity
    Tricks that are creative and unique in their execution can also be highly popular.
  7. Technical proficiency
    Tricks that require a high level of technical proficiency and skill are highly regarded and respected by fellow practitioners and audiences alike.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular trick. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or trick is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1420 views
  • 158 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each trick once every 24 hours. The rank of each trick is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular trick

Tricks have been a popular topic for centuries, whether it's magic tricks, card tricks, or even tricks in sports. People love to be amazed and entertained by the unexpected, and tricks provide just that. With the rise of social media, tricks have become even more popular, as videos of mind-boggling illusions and stunts spread like wildfire. But with so many different types of tricks out there, what is the most popular trick of them all? That's what we set out to find with our latest StrawPoll. From classic magic tricks to viral internet challenges, we asked our community to weigh in on what they believe is the most popular trick. Read on to discover the results and see if your favorite made the cut!

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