Some people believe that the differences between magicians can be found based on their hometowns.

In fact, expert magicians explain that New York magic has something like a stand-up comedy flavor, completely different from Los Angeles or Chicago.

"New Yorkers have a New York edge," explains Jeremy Meadows, secretary of the Society of American Magicians (SAM) in New York City.

"If you look at guys like David Blaine, he does street magic, he's in your face, full of energy, and he doesn't stop talking. You don't get that in California."

Basically, Meadows believes that magic is like a social contract between magicians and their audiences, and these contracts are different everywhere. The New York magician, for example, goes straightforward when he performs.

"Magicians are defined by their environments, and the environment in New York City is a honest, no-holds-barred type of place, and that shows in their magic," says Meadows.

Magicians are also defined by their mentors and the other magicians with whom they associate. And in New York there are lots of magicians to learn from.

"We have the cream of the crop here," Meadows says. "The best magicians, including Harry Lorayne, Ken Krenzel, David Copperfield, David Roth, David Blaine and others are all New Yorkers, so you can choose."

When Meadows describes the differences between them and magicians outside of New York, he says:"there's an edge to it. It's hard to define it, but you really got to see it."

Card tricks are a classic among New York magicians.