How to Perform the "Smoke on the Water" Trick

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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(7 Ratings)

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

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Fill an ashtray with water.
Step 2

Bet someone that you can get all of the water into a beer glass without moving the ashtray.
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.
Step 4

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