The Online Magic Store Blog: Buying Guide

Magic props laid out to compare: a deck of cards, brass cups, rope, a coin, a silk and a notepad

How to Choose a Magic Trick: 6 Things to Check Before You Buy

Six things to check before buying any magic trick: effect, skill level, method, angles, reset, and physical vs download.

In A Flash, available as a download or with the gimmick included

Magic Downloads vs Physical Tricks: Which Should You Buy?

Should you buy the physical trick or the download? The differences in delivery, price, props and returns, and how to choose.

Absolute Zero, a gimmick-based magic trick

Self-Working vs Gimmick vs Sleight of Hand: The 4 Ways Magic Tricks Work

Self-working, gimmick-based, sleight of hand or hybrid? How each type of magic works, what it demands, and where beginners should start.

A magician performs with the Mr. Wand puppet wand and a purple silk while a child laughs

Magic tricks for kids’ shows and birthday parties: a buyer’s guide

How to choose magic for a children’s party or family show, with tricks from our store sorted by what they do best.

Thin Air card magic trick

What Does "Instant Reset" Mean in Magic? Reset Times Explained

Instant reset, under 10 seconds, off-stage: what reset means, how it differs from setup, and which level suits the way you perform.

PADO card switch performed live for an audience

What Do "Angles" Mean in Magic? Surrounded vs Front-Facing Tricks Explained

Surrounded, front-facing, angle-sensitive: what angle ratings mean and how to pick tricks that work where you actually perform.

A performer holding up a twenty-dollar bill, from Extortion by Patrick Kun

Money Magic for Beginners: The Best Coin and Bill Tricks to Start With

How to choose your first coin or bill trick, with a side-by-side look at the money magic we stock, from a $12 coin purse to a full chip set.

The Inspire Deck, a modern trick deck

Trick Decks Explained: Which Gimmicked Deck Should You Buy First?

Svengali, Invisible, tapered, marked, forcing decks: what each classic trick deck lets you do, and which one to start with.

Venom Pro thread system for levitation and animation magic

Levitation and Animation Magic: A Buyer's Guide for Beginners

What's the difference between levitation and animation, what types of effects exist, and which one should you buy first?

Bond magic download, an instant last-minute magic gift

Last-Minute Magic Gifts: Why Digital Magic Downloads Are the Answer

Missed the shipping window? Magic downloads and streaming tutorials are delivered instantly. Here's how to choose and gift one.

Sharpie Through Bill, a magic trick gift for teens

Magic Gifts for Teens: What to Buy a Teenager Who Loves Magic

Teenagers want magic they can show their friends tomorrow. Here's how to pick a magic gift a teen will actually use.

Magic coin set shipped from The Online Magic Store in Vancouver

Buying Magic Tricks Online in Canada and the US: Shipping, Duties and Delivery Times

Where we ship from, how long delivery takes, how duties work, and how to avoid surprise fees when buying magic online in Canada and the US.

Shuriken Deck trick deck, a magic stocking stuffer under $20

Stocking-Stuffer Magic: Magic Tricks and Gifts Under $20

Small, pocket-sized magic gifts for $20 USD or less, plus what to look for in a good stocking stuffer.

Over Clear transparent cups and balls, the best-selling magic trick of 2026

The Best-Selling Magic Tricks of 2026 (So Far), Ranked by Real Orders

The 10 best-selling magic tricks of 2026 at The Online Magic Store, ranked by real order data, plus who each one suits.

The Vanishing Cane, a magic gift idea for magicians

Magic Gifts Guide: The Best Gifts for Magicians and Magic Lovers

Buying for someone who loves magic? Here's how to pick the right gift for fans, hobbyists and working magicians, by budget, without buying …

Magic Trick Shop Near Me: How To Choose The Right Tricks For My Skill Level

Magic Trick Shop Near Me: How To Choose The Right Tricks For My Skill Level

Searching for ‘a magic trick shop near me’ is often the first step people take when they decide to explore magic more seriously.

Top 5 Magic Kits for Beginners (2025 Edition)

Top 5 Magic Kits for Beginners (2025 Edition)

Starting magic is exciting, but also overwhelming. There are thousands of tricks and tutorials online, and no clear path. That’s why a begi…