The most effective and most intriguing of all tricks are those in which the magic happens visibly

In this one a penciled spot appears mysteriously on a paper match. It jumps suddenly to a second match, then back again to the first one. A second spot appears on the reverse side of the match, then both spots jump across to the second match and back again. Both matches then acquire spots on both sides and finally, all four spots vanish. This is the best of all match tricks; it looks like real magic.

In advance, secretly prepare two paper matches by drawing a spot or cross mark with pencil or pen on each match on one side only at the end opposite the head. If you mark all the matches in the front row of a folder in this way, you are always ready to do the trick simply by tearing out two matches.

You need to be able to do one very simple sleight-of-hand move, which can be learned in a moment or two. Hold one of the prepared matches with its head between your thumb and forefinger, the blank side showing (fig. 2A). Push the thumb toward the end of the forefinger, causing the match to make a half-turn. This simple half-twist of the match is the move that does the whole trick, but the spectators never see it. Here's why.

Display the match as in fig. 2A, then turn the hand over to the left so that it is palm down (fig. 2B). Twist the match while the hand is turning. The small half-twist of the match passes unseen because the hand is in motion. Don't turn the hand too fast; quick motions arouse suspicion. Turn it just as you would if you were showing both sides of the match naturally. You will find that you can turn your hand quite slowly without the secret twist being seen.

Now turn the hand palm up, again. As you do so, pull the thumb inward, giving the match a twist in the opposite direction. You will appear to have shown both sides of the match quite fairly, although actually the same side has been shown twice.

Now, instead of turning the hand over, simply move it quickly a few inches to the right, then back again. Make the secret twist at the same time. This causes the previously unseen spot to appear suddenly.

Again turn the hand over and back, but this time, do not make the secret move. Simply show the match top and bottom without sleight of hand. One side has a spot, the other is blank.

Turn the hand once more, and make the secret move. Both sides of the match will now seem to have spots.

This secret action of giving the match a half-twist, which is sometimes hidden by turning the hand over and sometimes by giving a quick shake, sets you up in business as a sleight-of-hand artist. Now run through the procedure given below a few times. It is an easy routine to memorize because each action logically follows the preceding one. When you have

figure 2

learned it, you will find yourself doing a magic routine in which there are several magical surprises and a mystifying climax.

Hold two matches, each of which has a spot on its underside, as shown in fig. 2C. Turn the hand over, making the secret move, apparently showing that the other sides are also blank. Turn the hand back again (making the move). (You will find that the secret move can be made just as easily with two matches as with one.)

Take away the left-hand match with the left hand.Shake the right hand (making the move), causing the spot to appear.

Turn the hand over (no twist this time) showing the other side blank. Turn the hand palm up again.

Put the second match back in the right hand. Shake the hand (making the move), and the spot appears to jump from match to match.

Shake the hand again (making the move), and the spot jumps back to its original position.

Remove the blank match from the right hand. Turn the right hand over and show that a second spot has appeared. This match now has spots on both sides. Turn the hand back. (Make the secret move both times.)

Put the second match back in the right hand. Shake the hand (making the move). The visible spot again jumps from match to match. Now turn the hand over (making the move) and show that the spot on the other side of the match has also jumped across. Turn the hand palm up again (making the move).

Take the spotted match in the left hand. Shake the blank match (making the move), and a third spot appears.Show that the underside is still blank (turning the hand without the move).

Blow on the match. Turn the hand again (with the move), and a fourth spot is seen.

10. Hold both matches in the right hand. Turn the hand (making the move), and you are showing four spots, oneon each side of each match.

Now say, "You may think you are wide awake. Actually you are daydreaming. None of this has really happened."

11. Shake the right hand (making the move), and both spots vanish. Then turn the hand over (making the move), and there are no spots on that side either.

Finally, toss the matches to the spectator. He examines them and finds that there really are no spots anywhere!

What he gets are two unmarked matches. You have been holding these concealed under the curled second, third, and fourth fingers of your left hand from the beginning of the trick.

The switch is made very simply. Bring the left hand over to the visible matches and take them between thumb and forefinger as in fig. 2D. Your left hand seems to toss these two matches to the spectator. Actually, you simply turn your left hand palm down and open your curled fingers (fig. 2E). The opening fingers release the hidden, unprepared matches and cover the others. While the spectator is examining the matches, drop those you still hold into your pocket. If you are seated at a table, simply bring the left hand to the table's edge and let the matches fall into your lap.

You'll have fun with this trick. The effect on the spectator will more than repay you for the small amount of practice which is necessary.

A word about paper matches. Some are white or yellow on one side, gray on the other. Avoid these. Use matches that are the same color on both sides.

Even better, using a razor blade, cut two pieces of wood from a tongue depressor. Make them the same width as a paper match, but half again as long. Use black ink for the spots. The trick is such a good one that it is well worth this extra trouble.