Topic: Wand/ Pencil-flip/twist bet question

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Posted by: MinnesotaChef (Feb 13, 2006 4:48pm)

Is anyone familliar with the trick where with palms down you hold the middle of a wand or pencil in the crook of the thumbs, and then twist the palms together into praying position with the wand/ pencil still in the crooks of the thumbs now on top of the hands? It appears that your hands pass throught the wand. I am curios to the orgins of this trick. I learned it from a friend in Europe and he was amazed that I didn't know it. It seems that it may be a playground stunt across the pond that never made it over here.
Thank You

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Posted by: gandolf (Feb 15, 2006 10:00am)

I'm not sure of the origins either, but I learned it from a fellow bartender back in the 80's, so it has been around for a while. We'd do it with swizzle sticks too.

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Posted by: Lambertmoon (Feb 18, 2006 11:39am)

I think I saw something like that on a Hampton-Ridge tape. 25 amazing tricks with everyday objects.
It started out in the prayer position but could easily be reversed.

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Posted by: rtclark (Feb 23, 2006 3:53pm)

Could anyone post a video so I can see it in action?

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Posted by: Tom Jorgenson (Apr 16, 2006 9:49pm)

I've been doing it for at least 50 years. I was taught it, tho, in the reverse: You start with hands together in prayer position and end up hands down.

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Posted by: acmp (Apr 17, 2006 11:18am)

I'd love to see a video of this too, I'd also like some instructions/pointer to source.

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Posted by: leapinglizards (Apr 17, 2006 1:55pm)

I learned it from my uncle 30 years ago, and later saw it in print in Harry Blackstone's, "There's One Born Every Minute."

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Posted by: David Gardener (May 13, 2006 11:40pm)

Hi
The effect is called, 'thumbs on top - thumbs on bottom' I beleive, and yes it would good to source some instructions, its a really good impromptu puzzler.
David

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Posted by: Michael Peterson (Dec 1, 2008 12:37am)

My father taught me this as a child, I have never seen anyone who could do it on a bet.

Mike

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Posted by: airship (Dec 1, 2008 12:46pm)

Quote:

On 2006-04-17 13:55, leapinglizards wrote:
I learned it from my uncle 30 years ago, and later saw it in print in Harry Blackstone's, "There's One Born Every Minute."

Thanks for the reference. I actually own that book! I'll definitely look it up tonite.

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Posted by: profgizmo (Dec 23, 2008 9:57am)

I think this is what you are looking for: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1_-X7gPjaY

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Posted by: kcg5 (Jan 3, 2009 12:54am)

Great video, thanks!

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Posted by: apple123 (Aug 31, 2009 6:44am)

It is in Fulves self working table magic book.

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Posted by: rghale (Apr 7, 2011 6:04pm)

With a bit more practice you can do it continuously. Top to bottom, bottom to top, etc. all in the same direction.