Yeah, wonderful post above yours.

OMG A GHOST!

Boo!

Down to 5? Well... in no particular order...

Tom Mullica
Paul Harris
Larry Jennings
Lennart Green
Bill Malone
Harry Lorayne
Daryl
Ed Marlo
Matt Schulien
Allen Ackerman

... what... that's more than 5... sorry...

Gary

Down to 5? Well... in no particular order...

Tom Mullica
Paul Harris
Larry Jennings
Lennart Green
Bill Malone
Harry Lorayne
Daryl
Ed Marlo
Matt Schulien
Allen Ackerman

... what... that's more than 5... sorry...

Gary

Bill Malone
John Guastaferro
Darwin Ortiz
Michael Ammar
Joann Fontyn

In no particular order:
David Williamson
Dani DaOrtiz
Lennart Green
Pit Hartling
Guy Hollingworth
Jared Kopf
Michael Vincent
Benjamin Earl
Gabi Pareras
Helder Guimarães
Lance Pierce
Bebel
John Carney
Larry Jennings
Steve Reynolds
Jerry Sadowitz
Asi Wind
Pop Haydn
Tony Chang

just some names that come to mind.

David Williamson performances I can watch the whole day.
it doesn't matter if its card magic or something else.

Of those I have personally seen:
Rick Jay
Michael Vincent
Etienne Pradier
Guy Hollingworth
Jerry Sadowitz
Rene Lavand

I guess in just about everything there is a pecking order to things, that is what we do mostly, "good-better-best" I guess. Anyway, I think there is a perspective on this at every level, and while a lot of those mentioned are from the supposed top level as to card magic, there are others lesser known and perhaps not as highly regarded for one reason or another, but are very good and worthy of the term, "favorites," at least favorites of mine for differing reasons...Probably/proportionately the same reasons why no one's list here contains all the same folks or includes others that others didn't consider much if at all...I guess, hence the word, "Favorite." Perhaps a better word than any such "best," to me.

And so, with maybe a peculiar mix of thought and perspective as to card magic play and creativity, I mention here (in no particular order but with all due respect) the following...

-Jonathan Kamm

-Jamy Ian Swiss

-Bill Malone

-Vinny Marini

-52 Kards

-Jay Sankey

-Andy Fields

-Glen Morphew

-Frank Garcia

-Dan & Dave Buck

-Lee Asher

-Wayne Dobson

-Steve Dusheck

Just a few of my favorites, not necessarily from the top of things but definitely from somewhere within all the rest of it, aka...the big, small and all of it.

Mb thank you for the mention I would also add jack carpenter, and the late pepe corale

vinny

OMG Théo, you have met those masters ! You are very very lucky.

I agree with much Mysterious Kid has said in this thread.
For me, René Lavand first. And after him, dozens other magicians. There is plethora of styles but the most magical and meaningful one comes from Lavand.

Bill Malone
Jay Sankey
Chris Ramsey 😁

Ricky Jay
Bill Malone
Lennart Green

I find these most entertaining.

Harry Lorayne
Vinni Marini
Matt Furman

How could you forget Paul Harris??

Hey, do you ever think when you look at these lists, that sometimes some of the names might be surprised or maybe even a little P'd-off to be mentioned with certain others...I mean, they might believe others aren't good enough to be named with them, or that they belong better with others of the ilk they think they are of, or that they should be with the upper echelon, or how could any small-timers and or riffraff be listed at all, or any such upper echelon be listed without them...The nerve! And for certain "special" folks, how could any list be made without their name being on it.

To me it's all good, and great to see a little bit of everyone mentioned as there's room for everybody that's doing good work out there.

Dani DaOrtiz
David Williamson
Juan Tamariz
Joe Barry
Pit Hartling
Denis Behr

Daryl
Allan Ackerman
David Blaine
Bill Malone
Woody Aragon

For amazing technique and distinctive, entertaining style:

Danny DaOrtiz
Pit Hartling
Shin Lim
David Williamson
Greg Chapman
Lennart Green
Pop Haydn