Sep 5, 20232 min read

How to Remove Your Thumb Magic Trick: Classic Magic

Updated: May 17

Learn the timeless thumb magic trick that makes it look like you can pull apart your thumb. This illusion is perfect for beginners and will leave your audience scratching their heads in disbelief.

Magician removes his thumb and reattaches it!

Learn the Remove Your Thumb Magic Trick

Ever wondered how to pull apart your thumb? Well, wonder no more!

The Remove Your Thumb Magic Trick is a classic optical illusion that has entertained audiences for generations. It's a perfect trick for beginner magicians and can be performed anytime, anywhere!

Though we don't know its exact origin, its popularity has never waned.

Keep reading, and you'll soon master this thumb magic trick, following the step-by-step directions and video instructions below.

Difficulty: ⭐

Why You'll Love This Trick:

No Special Props Needed: You only need your thumb, making it a perfect on-the-spot trick.
Great for Beginners: It's easy to learn and perform and an excellent starting point for new magicians.
Classic Illusion: A timeless trick that continues to amuse and mystify audiences.

A magician removing his thumb with the words "REMOVE YOUR THUMB" behind his hand

Watch the video.

What the Audience Sees:

Effect

Your audience will be baffled as they watch you seemingly detach your thumb and then magically reattach it, all without a hint of pain or discomfort.

Magician holding the thumb of his other hand.

How to Perform the Trick

This impromptu magic trick uses two things you always have with you-- your hands!

Let's learn the secret to how this trick is done.

What You'll Need:

Just your hands.

Secret:

The secret lies in the clever positioning of your thumb and forefinger.

Let's get started with these easy-to-follow instructions!

Step By Step Instructions

Here are the step-by-step secrets to performing the remove your thumb magic trick!

Step 1.

Start with your left hand pointing down. As your right-hand approaches, bend your thumb.

Magician's other hand covers the bent thumb with his finger

Step 2.

Hold your left thumb with your right hand, hiding the joint.

Magician appears to remove the thumb from his other hand

Step 3.

Make sure you cover the separations with one or two fingers of your right hand and slide your thumb apart!

Magician holding a firm grip on his thumb

Step 4.

To finish, quickly turn your hand over as you extend your left thumb and grip it between your right-hand thumb and index finger.

Voila, you've magically removed your thumb!

You've now created the illusion of detachment! Next, let's watch the video to see extra details and secrets!

Watch

Notes:

Here are a few extra tips and suggestions to help you astonish your friends:

Practice in front of a mirror to perfect the angles.
The more natural you make it look, the more convincing the remove thumb trick will be.

Hit the ♥️ heart button below if you enjoyed learning this thumb magic trick.

Have any questions or comments? Share them, and let's create illusions together!

Magic Tricks to Learn Next:

We highly recommend checking out Easy Magic Tricks with Everyday Objects that Anyone Can Do!

Ryan Joyce - Magician, Illusionist, Hypnotist & Speaker

Ryan Joyce is the Executive Director of the Ontario OWOW Magic Festival. Ryan is a professional magician, entertainer and speaker who has performed over 5000+ shows worldwide. He has appeared on Penn & Teller's Fool Us, Canada's Got Talent and every Canadian national television network. He has over 10+ million views on YouTube, Facebook and social media and is trusted by Fortune 500 companies to deliver world-class performance.

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