In June of every year, SAM 161 holds the Annual Jim Hart Memorial Excellence in Magic Competition. The competitors are limited to SAM 161 members and judging is done by members. Recent winners are:

2009 – Harvey Berg
2008 – Guru Subramanian
2007 – Vinnie Laraway
2006 – Scott Leavitt
2005 – Mike Fordice
2004 – Gene Cosnoski (close-up)
2004 – Scott Leavitt (stage)
2003 – Jim Flood
2002 – George Jamieson
2001 – Jim Angelo
2000 – Herb Arno

The top finishers from 2009:

winners_09
Guru Subramanian (5th), Norm Rosen (4th), Harvey Berg (1st), Vince Mendoza (3rd), Greg Ferdinand (2nd)