Any coin trick master can be observed rolling a coin down their fingers from the index to the pinky and back again. It's often referred to as a knuckle roll or The Steeplechase Flourish. It requires more practice than skill, and this article will show you where to start.
Step 1
Imagine the knuckle that connects your index finger to your hand as being 1 and the knuckle exactly halfway between your hand and the finger tip as being 2. The knuckle closest to your nail isn't used at all.
Step 2
Open your hand flat with all fingers together.
Step 3
Bend your fingers down using knuckle on all fingers until they are 90 degrees with your palm.
Step 4
Bend all 4 fingers at knuckle 2 so that they are now parallel with your palm. This is the position your hand will be in during the coin roll.
Step 5
Place a coin on index finger between knuckles 1 and 2, holding it there with your thumb.
Step 6
Lift your middle finger slightly so that it can snag the right edge of the coin. Lean the coin onto your index finger (letting go of it with your thumb) so that it lays flat and "catch" the edge with your middle finger, as shown. Lower your middle finger and raise your index finger slightly so that the coin flips over onto the middle finger between knuckles 1 and 2.
Step 7
Repeat this with the third finger so that the coin ends up sitting on it between knuckles 1 and 2.
Step 8
Catch the coin with your pinky finger but instead of letting it roll onto your pinky finger, allow it to slip through the crack of the fingers where your thumb will retrieve it on the side of the thumb close to its tip.
Step 9
Balance the coin back to your index finger and place it again between knuckles 1 and 2 exactly where you started.
Step 10
Repeat as often as desired.
Tips
- The best practice method for gaining speed is to always carry the coin with you in your pocket and when there is a free moment, use it to busy yourself.
- Angle your hand slightly downward to use gravity to help roll the coin over. This helps gain speed and looks better.
- It may take about six months of constant practice to obtain smoothness with both hands. Gaining a knack for something just takes time.
- Once two hands can do it, try placing your hands "inline" with each other during the roll for an extra long roll. Switch hand places when it reaches the end and start over.
- A half dollar (larger coin) works the best, although if hands are small, a quarter (smaller coin) will do, but the weight is better on a half dollar. The Canadian Two-Dollar Coin ("Toonie") also works, though it is a bit heavier. This can also be done with a poker chip. Two-Euro coins and $10-Mexican-pesos coins can also do the trick.
- Once you master it in one direction, learn how to turn it around on your ring finger so you can roll it back and forth.
- You may see this trick performed by various "cool" movie characters on the big screen.
- Take off your rings when practicing, it makes it much easier.
