How to Do the Floating Bank Note Trick

Close-up magic tricks can be some of the simplest to understand, but trickiest to execute. Performing a magic trick in front of others can require exceptional showmanship, since you'll often have to distract people from spotting what you are really doing. One of the most popular of these close-up illusions is the floating banknote.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 dollar bills
• Clear plastic
• Clear tape

1. Cut a piece of flexible clear plastic to the length of a dollar bill and one-third of a dollar bill's width. Plastic can be obtained from product packaging.

2. Tape the clear plastic on the back of one of the dollar bills. The plastic should run the entire length of the bill and occupy the middle third of the bill's width. Use one piece of clear tape on the center of the plastic, with the tape running the length of the bill's width at the bill's center.

3. Place the edges of the plastic between your thumb and pinky finger. The dollar bill should now sit across your hand with the palm splayed.

4. Flex your pinky and thumb together. This will cause the plastic to bow upwards, pushing the bill into the air with it.

5. Disguise your manipulations. Now all you have to do is learn to perform smoothly enough that people do not notice your pinky and thumb flexing toward each other. One common way is to use a second dollar bill underneath and perpendicular to the floating banknote. Distract viewers by making the floating dependent upon the second bill's presence or removal, distracting viewers from the real action.

References

• Floating Banknote
• Floating Banknote Revealed

Resources

• Floating Bill Variation
• Crumpled Hovering Bill