How to Perform Magic: 8 Tricks for Beginners

PDF download Download Article
Dazzle and delight with these spectacular illusions
PDF download Download Article

Many magicians devote their entire lives to mastering the art of illusion, but you don't have to go to such great lengths to impress your friends and family. With the right know-how and a little practice, you can easily learn to perform a number of jaw-dropping tricks that are guaranteed to leave onlookers in awe! Start by perfecting a few simple beginner tricks, like making a pencil float in the palm of your hand or passing a cup through a solid tabletop. Then, work your way up to more difficult tricks, such as making a coin disappear and levitating. Read on to keep your audience spellbound with your repertoire of tricks!

Things You Should Know

  • Start with a simple coin trick to get a “handle” on magic, then work on other simple tricks like bending a spoon or making a pencil float.
  • Make clever comments to amuse and distract onlookers. For example, as you rub a coin into your arm, say that your doctor told you to “get more iron.”
  • Try a more challenging trick, like pretending to levitate, so you can entertain others and leave them wondering how you did it.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Simple Tricks for Beginners

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Do Magic Tricks
    Place a quarter in the palm of your dominant hand and tell your audience that you're going to make it disappear. Make sure it's resting right in the center of your middle and ring fingers—secretly cup the edges using your index and pinky fingers. Quickly pass your dominant hand over your opposite hand and act as though you've transferred the quarter. Then, let your dominant hand, which is still palming the coin, fall to your side. Open your empty hand and savor the look on your audience's faces as they try to figure out where the quarter went! [1]
    • You can perform this trick using any type of coin, as long as it's big enough to grip between your fingers and your palm.
    • Make a show of pushing or rolling up your shirtsleeves, which provides a visual distraction that makes the “transfer” look less suspicious.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do Magic Tricks
    Hold the spoon upside down with the head pressed against a table or similar surface. Act like you're gripping the handle firmly in both fists. Instead of actually wrapping your hands around the spoon, loop the pinky finger of your bottom hand around the part of the handle that’s directly above the head. Keep the rest of your fingers and your top hand poised in front of the handle. Push both fists down towards the tabletop as though you're bending the spoon by force. Slowly lower the handle so it’s at a horizontal angle. Finish the trick by quickly reversing the motion and “magically” restoring the spoon to its original shape.
    • Try out this trick on your friends and family the next time you go out for dinner.
    • Sit or stand facing your audience when performing this trick. If someone is watching from the side, they may be able to see what you're doing. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Do Magic Tricks
    Wear a rubber bracelet and slip 1 pencil through it so it’s horizontal. Grab onto another pencil and slide it underneath the pencil that’s pinned in place by your bracelet. When you do this, you’ll hold your second pencil vertically in place because the first pencil will press it against your palm. Fan out your fingers and make sure the back of your hand faces your audience. Your pencil will look like it’s hovering in mid-air! [3]
    • You can carry out this trick either from the side or from a top-down perspective, so long as the inside of your hand isn't visible to your audience. [4]

  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do Magic Tricks
    Bet your skeptical audience that you can cut a hole in a normal piece of 5 in (13 cm) x 8 in (20 cm) printer paper large enough to step through. Fold the paper in half widthwise and cut a series of strips through the folded edge every 2 in (5.1 cm) or so, stopping about 1 in (2.5 cm) from the far end. Then, rotate the paper 180 degrees and cut along the midline of each strip, again stopping just short of the far edge. Finally, cut the top edge of each folded crease individually and open up the paper to reveal a staggeringly large paper portal that you can slip right through. [5]
    • Take care not to accidentally cut all the way through the paper, or to tear it while you're picking it up. If you do, you'll end up losing your own bet!
    • Though it may seem like genuine magic, this trick has a simple explanation: cutting the strips in such a careful way rearranges the surface area of the paper so that it's essentially one big circle. [6]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Do Magic Tricks
    Explain to your audience that you're going to pass a magical ball through a solid table top using a small cup and a “cloak of concealment” (an ordinary piece of paper). Place the cup upside down over the ball, then scrunch the paper around the cup to cover it up. Pick up the paper-covered cup and give your audience one last look at the ball. As you do, inconspicuously drop the cup into your lap and cradle it between your thighs. Put the cup-shaped paper shell back over the ball and give it a smack. Remove the paper to show that the ball is still there. Act like the cup has rematerialized beneath the table. [7]
    • Play up your “mistake” by saying something like, “Oh no! I think I hit it a little too hard. The cup went right through the table! I guess I used too much magic there.”
    • The key to this trick is to let the cup fall quickly and quietly into your lap without your audience noticing it. Make it look like you're reaching all the way down to the floor when you go to retrieve it.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Do Magic Tricks
    While no one is watching, take a paper-wrapped straw and rub your hand up and down its length a few times to generate static electricity. Be careful not to tear the thin paper wrapper. When you're ready to do the trick, lay the straw across the top of a bottle or another container with a narrow opening. Raise your hands over the ends of the straw and wave them forward and backward in a “mystical” way. The static charge will cause it to rotate without you ever actually touching it. [8]
    • Keep your hands close to the straw at all times. If they get too far away, the static charge will be too faint to continue moving it.
    • If possible, perform the setup for this trick while your audience is absent or distracted (such as when your dining companion excuses themselves to go to the restroom).
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Making Yourself Levitate

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Do-Magic-Tricks-Step-7-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Do-Magic-Tricks-Step-7-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Do-Magic-Tricks-Step-7-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Do-Magic-Tricks-Step-7-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Stand in a diagonal position with the heels of your feet pointed towards the audience and your toes pointed away from them. Place both feet flat on the ground so they're side-by-side. [9]
    • To avoid drawing any suspicion, try slowly pacing back and forth while setting up the trick. Then, stop and get into position after your final turn. This will make it seem like you ended up in your stance by chance.
    • This trick works best when performed in front of an audience that's standing still so they won't be able to move around and get a better look at your feet.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Do-Magic-Tricks-Step-8-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Do-Magic-Tricks-Step-8-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Do-Magic-Tricks-Step-8-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Do-Magic-Tricks-Step-8-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Stress that you'll only be able to hold yourself up for a second or two, if at all. When you're ready, hold your arms out to your sides slightly and take a few deep breaths to convey how hard you're concentrating. [10]
    • If you want, you can go as far as to throw in a couple “failed” attempts to lend an element of realism to the trick.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Do Magic Tricks
    Fluidly transfer your weight onto the ball of the foot that’s far away from your onlooker while allowing the foot that’s closest to them to hover 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) above the ground. If you manage to pull this off, it'll appear as though you've succeeded in levitating for a brief moment. [11]
    • For added effect, wave your arms around like you're trying to maintain your center of gravity. [12]
    • If you get good enough at finding exactly the right stance and foot placement, this trick will make even the most skeptical member of your audience question whether they can trust their own eyes.
    • Slip into a pair of flat-soled shoes with thick, chunky heels. These will do a better job of hiding the angle of your support foot than more flexible footwear, which may leave your arch visible.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do Magic Tricks
    Give them just a quick flash of what's happening and leave them reeling with surprise. By the time their minds begin processing what they've just seen, you'll have already moved on to your next trick or given a bow to finish your performance. [13]
    • The longer you “float,” the more of a chance your audience will have to deduce that the trick is just an optical illusion and not a real magic trick.
    5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Making a Coin Disappear into Your Skin

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Do-Magic-Tricks-Step-11-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Do-Magic-Tricks-Step-11-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Do-Magic-Tricks-Step-11-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Do-Magic-Tricks-Step-11-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If possible, sit down and make sure that there's no one on either side of you. Grab a coin in your dominant hand and tell your onlookers that you're going to rub it right through the skin on your opposite arm. [14]
    • A line like, “My doctor said my iron levels are a little low,” adds some color and humor to your trick.
    • While you can use any type of coin you like, something larger, like a quarter or half dollar, will be easier for your audience to see. [15]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do Magic Tricks
    Rest the elbow of your “decoy arm” against the table with your hand pointed straight up. Take the coin, press it against the fleshy part of your forearm, and start rubbing it back and forth. [16]
    • Make sure your audience can't actually see the coin inside your hand once you begin rubbing.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Do Magic Tricks
    After rubbing for a few moments, let the coin slip out of your fingers and land in plain sight on the tabletop. Sell the drop as an unintended mistake by making an offhand comment like, “Whoops! Got a little carried away there.” [17]
    • Leave the coin sitting on the table just long enough for your audience to see that it's the same one and that you haven't swapped it out with a trick prop.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do Magic Tricks
    This is where the illusion comes in. While you're apologizing to the audience, snatch up the coin with the hand of the arm you were just rubbing your coin onto and quickly pass it back to your rubbing hand. Don’t actually pass it. Instead, cup it in your palm and place your elbow back on the table. [18]
    • Keep the fingers of your decoy hand open slightly so your audience doesn't suspect that you're holding the coin in that hand. Cling onto the edges of the coin with the sides of your index and pinky fingers.
    • It may take quite a bit of practice before you can fake the handoff without being obvious. Keep trying—it’ll eventually start to feel more natural.
    • Alternatively, use your rubbing hand to covertly slide the coin off of the table and into your lap while making it look like you're picking it up. [19]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Do Magic Tricks
    Get the trick back on track and continue massaging the coin into your elbow. Let out a couple faint grunts or groans like the friction is causing you discomfort. Throw in a remark like, “I can feel it now! Just a little more pressure...” [20]
    • Avoid rubbing so vigorously that you risk knocking the coin out of your decoy hand.
    • Take your time with the second round of rubbing. The longer you rub, the more you'll sell the idea that you're trying your hardest to make the coin disappear into your skin.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Do Magic Tricks
    When it comes time for the big reveal and “payoff”, stop rubbing and leave your hand glued to your arm. Then, slowly remove your hand and turn it around for your audience to see. There, they'll see that you’re totally empty handed! It’ll be like you absorbed the coin into your skin. [21]
    • If you want to add some extra flourish, carefully transfer the coin back into your rubbing hand and “retrieve” it from one of your onlookers' ears, pockets, or shirt collars.
    7. Advertisement


Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How can I do the fire-in-hand magic trick?
    Christophe Fox
    Magician and Mentalist
    Christophe Fox is a Magician and Mentalist based in Virginia. He travels around the country as a full-time performer, providing various entertainment programs, from headline shows as a keynote speaker to close-up magic. He specializes in pressure management, teaching clients and audiences how to live more productively and creatively. His speaking clients have included PBS, Bloomberg, Deloitte, J.P. Morgan, the U.S. Army, and many more. Christophe’s programs deliver jaw-dropping entertainment with a signature blend of magic, mind-reading, and audience interaction.
    Christophe Fox
    Magician and Mentalist
    Expert Answer
    First, you need to gather the necessary props which you can purchase online or from your local magic store. These props come with detailed instructions that you can follow. Before you start, ensure you understand all safety precautions and have a fire extinguisher or a bowl of water nearby. Apply the special solution or gel to your hand as instructed, making sure to cover the area evenly without using too much. Now, carefully ignite the solution on your hand using a lighter or match, keeping the flame away from anything flammable. Perform the trick by showing the flame to your audience in a dramatic way. When you're ready to end the trick, extinguish the fire by either shaking your hand gently or using the recommended method. Handling fire is dangerous, so always prioritize safety and practice thoroughly before performing. 
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 6
  • Question
    How can I do the mind-reading magic trick?
    David Martinez
    Professional Magician
    David Martinez is a Magician based in San Jose, CA. David has over 20 years of experience and has performed throughout Northern California at weddings, private parties, team-building events, and more. He has notably performed for some of the biggest companies in the world, including Apple, Google, Facebook, and Uber. David previously served as President of the Silicon Valley Chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and has received awards for Close-Up, Walk-Around, and Stage performances. In 2023, he co-authored Amaze and Delight: Secrets to Creating Magic in Business, aimed at helping individuals and organizations nurture healthy and happy business cultures.
    David Martinez
    Professional Magician
    Expert Answer
    One technique is called cold reading. This method involves starting with a general statement and then using cues from the participant's responses to delve deeper into their thoughts. For instance, you might ask them to think of their favorite vacation destination and then gauge their reactions to your statements. Begin by suggesting that their chosen destination is a place they've long desired to visit. If they respond positively, continue by making more specific guesses based on their reactions. For example, you might infer that the location is sunny and outdoorsy, potentially tropical in nature. Throughout the interaction, pay close attention to their verbal and nonverbal cues. Adjust your statements accordingly, using their responses to guide your next guesses. If they indicate that your assumptions are incorrect, pivot by offering alternative possibilities until you land on something that resonates with them. However, true mind reading typically involves a secret method for obtaining information. One approach is to have the participant write down their thoughts on a piece of paper, which is then concealed from view. You might tear up or burn the paper, ostensibly erasing any trace of the information. In reality, you retain a portion of the paper with the written content, allowing you to sneak a peek at it when the opportunity arises. This technique, known as "peeking" or "endurance," is a common practice among mentalists and magicians. By subtly obtaining the information while appearing to be distracted or engaged in another task, you create the illusion of mind reading. In summary, while cold reading can simulate mind reading by observing and interpreting cues, true mind reading often involves covert methods for obtaining information, such as peeking at written responses.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5
  • Question
    I want to become a magician. How can I find help with what to do to make it happen?
    Community Answer
    Ask friends if they know anyone who likes to do tricks and check out YouTube videos that how many magic tricks performed and explained. Find magic forums online to ask questions and learn from. Purchase a magic kit or set that comes with instructions to learn the basic tricks. See further: How to Become a Magician .
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 74 Helpful 200
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Read Video Transcript

      Reader Videos

      Submit a Video Tip!

      Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!

      Submit a Video

      Tips

      • If possible, practice your tricks in the mirror. That way, you'll get an idea of how they'll look to a live audience.
        Thanks
        Helpful 63 Not Helpful 15
      • Resist the temptation to explain how you pulled off a certain trick. Remember, a magician never reveals their secrets!
        Thanks
        Helpful 55 Not Helpful 17
      • Have a “magic” puppet so the audience gets distracted by it. It can also be your "assistant."
        Thanks
        Helpful 49 Not Helpful 26
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Never perform the same trick more than once in the same show. Doing so will make it easier for your audience to figure out how it works.
        Thanks
        Helpful 45 Not Helpful 9
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Play Light as a Feather
      Mastering Mind-bending Math Tricks (An In-depth Guide for Beginners)
      How to
      Do a Number Trick to Guess Someone's Age
      How to
      Hold Fire
      20 Number Magic Tricks: Read Minds with Math!
      How to
      Make a Lighter Shoot a Huge Flame
      5 Equipment-Free Magic Tricks: Mind-Reading, Hand Magic & More
      How to
      Roll a Coin on Your Knuckles
      How to
      Create a Fire in Your Hand
      How to
      Do a Simple Coin Magic Trick
      How to
      Perform the Invisible Touch Trick
      How to
      Pass Your Body Through a Sheet of Paper
      How to
      Do Zippo Tricks
      How to
      Levitate (Magic Trick)
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about magic tricks, check out our in-depth interview with David Martinez .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnnSwdkIcnI&feature=youtu.be&t=144
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRMbv14lkLM&feature=youtu.be&t=31
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BDtaFgq2jE&feature=youtu.be&t=51
      4. ↑ https://www.goodtricks.net/magic-levitating-pencil-trick.html
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E-Qnfo8ql8&feature=youtu.be&t=19
      6. ↑ https://www.kidzone.ws/magic/walkthrough.htm
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDkNjKKfa6E&feature=youtu.be&t=77
      8. ↑ http://mentalfloss.com/article/64990/15-magic-tricks-you-didnt-know-you-could-do
      9. ↑ http://mentalfloss.com/article/64990/15-magic-tricks-you-didnt-know-you-could-do
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6CNvFnlPL0&feature=youtu.be&t=20
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-AQSR2gUKc&feature=youtu.be&t=68
      3. ↑ http://mentalfloss.com/article/64990/15-magic-tricks-you-didnt-know-you-could-do
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3S0UJHMf0E&feature=youtu.be&t=41
      5. ↑ http://mentalfloss.com/article/64990/15-magic-tricks-you-didnt-know-you-could-do
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7gWFuKua-Q&feature=youtu.be&t=13
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/PodmT0gpT-w?t=48
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7gWFuKua-Q&feature=youtu.be&t=81
      9. ↑ http://mentalfloss.com/article/64990/15-magic-tricks-you-didnt-know-you-could-do
      10. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7gWFuKua-Q&feature=youtu.be&t=81
      11. ↑ https://youtu.be/PodmT0gpT-w?t=80
      12. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7gWFuKua-Q&feature=youtu.be&t=99

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To learn magic, start out with these two easy tricks: First, try making a coin disappear. Tell your audience that you’re going to rub a coin into your skin until it vanishes. First, show them the coin to prove that it isn't fake. Next, place the hand that’s holding the coin on your elbow, and rest your opposite hand under your chin. When you’re ready to begin, start rubbing the coin against your elbow. After a few seconds, “accidentally” drop the coin onto the table. This step is really important, so act embarrassed like you didn't mean to drop the coin. Reach down with both hands to pick up the coin, but secretly use the hand you originally tucked under your chin to pick it up. Tuck that hand under your chin again and continue rubbing your other hand into your elbow for a few seconds. After a while, open your hand and reveal that the coin is gone! Second, try making a coin disappear and reappear using props. First, gather your materials. You will need a wine glass, a coin, a cloth, 2 sheets of construction paper of the same color, scissors, a pencil, and a glue stick. Next, carefully trace the mouth of the wine glass over one piece of construction paper. Neatly cut out the circle. Line a small amount of glue around the mouth of the glass and gently secure the cut out circle on top, trying to line up the edges perfectly. During the trick, this paper will cover the coin, making it “disappear”. After the glue dries, set up your magic trick! Place the coin and wine glass upside down on top of the other piece of construction paper. Now, you are ready to perform the magic trick. Begin by covering the entire glass with the cloth. Then, pick up the glass and set in on top of the coin. Remove the cloth, and the coin has disappeared! Then, make the coin reappear by covering the glass with the cloth again. Lift the glass together with the cloth and the coin has reappeared!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,931,123 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Aug 12

        "I completely fooled my family. It was fun to watch the surprise on their faces :)"
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement