How to Light a Match with One Hand

Lighting a match with one hand is an impressive trick.

Lighting a match with one hand may sound incredibly tricky, but once you practice it enough to really get it down it becomes second nature. It's a fun trick that is often used in cowboy and mobster movies. Once you know the proper technique and which kind of matches to use, the task become less confusing and doable even if you feel like you have clumsy hands.

Instructions

1. Hold a strike anywhere match, tip facing upward, in between your thumb and index finger. Strike anywhere matches are easily distinguished by their red and white tips.

2. Press your thumbnail into the white part of the match tip. This is the part that contains white phosphorus, which is easily striked on many surfaces.

3. Quickly make a cutting motion to the side with your thumbnail to scratch the white phosphorus and ignite it. Immediately push the match up with your other fingers to avoid getting burned.

References

• Guitar Solos: How to light a match with one hand