Magic Tricks Revealed

How to Perform the Trapped Olive Trick

Entertain yourself and your friends with this sleight-of-hand bar trick. But practice at home first - flying olives are no fun for anyone.

Instructions
Things You'll Need:

    * Maraschino Cherries
    * Olives
    * Bar Supplies
    * Brandy Snifters
    * Cocktail Sets
    * Olives

   1.
      Step 1

      Place an olive on the bar. Place a brandy snifter next to it.
   2.
      Step 2

      Bet someone that you can get the olive into the brandy snifter without touching the olive or rolling it off the bar.
   3.
      Step 3

      Place the snifter over the olive, upside down, so that the olive is trapped.
   4.
      Step 4

      Move the snifter quickly in a repeated circular motion so that the olive rolls along the side of the glass. The olive will eventually begin to roll up the side of the glass, completely off the table.
   5.
      Step 5

      Flip the snifter right side up very quickly. If you're fast enough, the olive will come to rest at the bottom of the glass.


Tips & Warnings

    *
      A cherry with no stem will also work for this trick, though an olive is less messy.
    *
      If you happen to have a deep understanding of the scientific principles behind a particular bar trick, avoid lengthy explanations. People come to bars to have fun, not to hear lectures on kinematics.
    *
      Since actual bets can create hard feelings, you may want to skip the wagering and just show off for your friends.


How to Perform the "Smoke on the Water" Trick

Sucker your bar buddies into betting on this one, and watch the money roll in.

Instructions
Things You'll Need:

    * Ashtrays
    * Ashtrays
    * Bar Supplies
    * Beer Glasses
    * Cocktail Sets
    * Quarters
    * Matches
    * Matches

   1.
      Step 1

      Fill an ashtray with water.
   2.
      Step 2

      Bet someone that you can get all of the water into a beer glass without moving the ashtray.
   3.
      Step 3

      Place a stack of six quarters in the middle of the ashtray. Make sure the top of the stack is well above the water.
   4.
      Step 4

      Place four unlit matches on top of the quarters.
   5.
      Step 5

      Light the matches and quickly place the glass upside down over the matches, so the rim of the glass is submerged in the water.
   6.
      Step 6

      Amaze your friends with the results: The burning matches will use up the oxygen in the glass, and the water will be sucked into the vacuum created by the matches.


Tips & Warnings

    *
      Secure permission from any appropriate bar officials before igniting an open flame on the premises.
    *
      Since actual bets can create hard feelings, you may want to skip the wagering and just show off for your friends.
    *
      If you happen to have a deep understanding of the scientific principles behind a particular bar trick, avoid lengthy explanations. People come to bars to have fun, not to hear lectures on fluid density and kinematics.