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How to Use a Magician's Loop

The magicians loop is a piece of elasticized invisible string used in magic tricks to create the illusion of levitation. Loops take time to learn and conceal from your audience. Once mastered, however, it can be used close-up to levitate small objects such as cards, dollar notes and sunglasses. One of the most basic illusions using loops is the levitating card, which can be used in a stand-alone capacity or as part of a larger trick.

Instructions

    • 1

      Wrap your loop gently around your left hand so it sits horizontally between your thumb and your forefinger.

    • 2

      Choose a volunteer and ask them to choose a card from a deck you have fanned out in front of you, face down.

    • 3

      Stretch the loop from the right hand side of your left hand and wrap it around the middle finger of your right hand while your volunteer is looking at the card. The loop should now be connecting your left and your right hand in a horizontal line.

    • 4

      Take the card from your volunteer using the thumb and forefinger of your right hand and gently balance the card on the line between your left and right hand. Keep your hands as close as possible to ensure the loop doesn't stretch too far and break.

    • 5

      Move your right hand gently to the right -- stretching the loop to its full capacity and displaying the levitation of the card more clearly to your audience.

    • 6

      Bring your hands together quickly after a few seconds and catch the card. If you levitate the card for too long your audience will start to catch on.

    • 7

      Hand the card back to your volunteer and ask them to examine it. While they are doing so, wrap the loop back around your left hand.

    • 8

      Show the volunteer the front and back of your hands in one fluid motion so they can see you are clean.

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