I can hardly imagine something more powerful than the 5 Star Miracle effect.

Many, many great card tricks out there ! It really depends on the situation.
Often a simple DL is enough to entertain if the time is right.
An open prediction has quite an impact especially when they shuffle and handle the cards, not necessarily loud screaming but definitely a "Wow, how....".
Card to box is always a pleaser (toibox) and you can't go wrong with an Omni deck or a Phantom deck. that's the kind of tricks lay people really like... not complicated, easy to follow with a surprise ending.

All in all it is an art itself to find the best trick for every card plot in magic.

And for each magician…

Hard Question. People react differently to Magic. I have had people jump and scream when I do Card magic and it also depends on the situation. There are usually distractions and noises when I am performing Strolling Close up. I believe that any Card Magic you are good at and perform and present well can be the strongest. There is so much card magic out there that it is difficult to choose. I like the one nobody picks because it is not a Knuckle Buster, Magician's Insurance Policy.

One effect that I do often, Ace by Richard Sanders. I get very strong reactions by this effect. Quick, visual and magical. Plus, easy to do.

I really love the reactions from "Confinement" by Phil Dacosta. I've had this for a long time and still find it as strong as ever.
Invisible Deck routines always blow people's minds.

I recently picked up Justin Miller's Bold Project and love his "Descent" version of a TnR. I think that'll be my new "slap you in the face" routine.

PS. Loving reading and looking up people's recommendations for routines.

If I have only one shot at someone, my go-to is always Chicago Surprise.

Jeremy Weiss’ ACAAN

I saw Darwin Ortiz perform Jumping Gemini at a lecture he did at the Yogi Magic Mart before he actually published it. He did it as a teaser for At the Card Table which came out soon after. Anyway, he didn’t explain it, so I went home and stayed up late that night reconstructing the routine. I consider it one of the strongest tricks I do, especially when I’m asked to do a trick. They want to grab the cards for this one more than any other trick I do.