You can assure your volunteer that this trick won’t hurt, just amaze them! It’s possible that double-jointed people will be able to get out of this trick, so you can ask the volunteer first if he or she is double-jointed.
Make sure the volunteer has his or her palms flat together with the fingertips of one hand touching the fingertips of the other.
The middle fingers should be folded down as one would when interlacing the fingers. However, all other fingers (thumbs, pointer fingers, ring fingers, and pinky fingers) should remain unfolded with fingertips touching. Try an alternative if you wish, which has only the ring fingers up, with all other fingers folded down. [1] X Research source
Have the volunteer separate their thumbs. They should be able to easily. Have the volunteer separate their pointer fingers. They should be able to easily. Have the volunteer separate their pinky fingers. They should be able to easily. Then have the volunteer separate their ring fingers, with the goal of letting the coin drop. They will likely struggle to move their ring fingers apart at all.
You can tell others that this trick occurs because the tendons in the hand that control the fingers are separate from one another, except for the middle and ring finger, which are controlled by the same tendon. So when one is folded down, the other can’t be lifted. If your volunteer is able to separate their fingers enough to drop the coin, try placing a bigger object between the fingers. Also make sure that your volunteer’s middle fingers stay completely folded down to prevent them from getting out of the lock. You can even hold these fingers down for them. You can also place something between the subject’s palms to help keep the fingers folded down and make the trick more difficult. Use an object like a thin book, a small rock, or even your own hands.
Let any potential volunteers know that the trick isn’t dangerous and won’t hurt. It’s just fun and surprising. Make sure you and your volunteer have access to a table or other nearby flat surface before performing the trick.
The back of the middle finger and the fingertips of all other fingers should be resting against the table or flat surface. Your volunteer’s hand should remain in this position.
Have them lift first their thumb, then pointer finger, then pinky finger from the surface of the table. They should be able to move each of these with ease.
Enjoy the surprise and amusement of your volunteer and other guests. Have others try the same trick themselves if they don’t believe it. Try on both right and left hands as well. You can tell your audience that the trick works because the middle and ring finger are controlled by the same tendon in the hand, so one cannot easily be lifted when the other is folded. The other fingers are controlled by separate tendons so they can be moved independently. Make sure that anyone trying the trick keeps their middle finger folded under and that this finger and all other fingertips remain flat on the table.
Make this move when grappling rather than striking, as both of your hands will be occupied with this move, leaving you open for a strike. It is typical to secure the wrist with your non-dominant hand, as you will want to perform the finger lock itself with your dominant hand.
Lock fewer fingers (just one or two) to make this move more painful, and thereby more effective for subduing an opponent. Try pulling the fingers backward toward the knuckles, or bending and twisting them sideways. [3] X Research source
Curl the thumb as much as possible and pin the tip of the thumbnail down tightly against the palm for the greatest effect. [4] X Research source Perform the thumb compression if you cannot grab the other fingers, or the thumb is more accessible to you.
