This one will be pretty easy for anyone who’s already mastered palming a coin, but it highlights two other areas that are vital for budding magicians: acting and coordination. Performing magic is more than just knowing the method – you also have to sell the effect to an audience. Making your movements fluid and natural takes a lot of practice, and this trick is simple enough to let you focus on those elements. Shout out to Matt Wayne’s use of the term “thumb crotch,” as well. 

Like all great art forms, magic’s foundation is based on an array of basic skills that are a great starting point for anyone looking to learn the craft. In this video, Matt Wayne (whose site no longer seems active) demonstrates two different ways to palm a coin, a building block of countless tricks. Of course, you can do this with more than just coins; anything the correct size will work, but coins are a natural starting point.