I'll just say at this point that I'm not promoting smoking here. I don't smoke and I know how dangerous it is for your health. The fact is, however, that some people still do and at least we can use their cigarettes for something useful - like magic tricks! When I perform this, I sometimes say once I've borrowed the cigarette, "Now I know that you can make a cigarette disappear in a puff of smoke but my way is sooo much healthier. Watch!"

Now let me explain how to do the trick:

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The key to the performance of the trick is surprise (when the cigarette visually vanishes) and so timing and performance are crucial. The other thing you need to do is subtely wet the back of one of your thumbs, from the tip of the nail to the base of the first knuckle. If there's a glass of water or other drink near by you can maybe find the chance to use that. However, I find that the easiest way is to ask for a cigarette and then whilst someone is searching for thier packet or just taking one out, I lick the back of my thumb under pretence of scratching my nose. Do this casually and no one will notice.

Now take the cigarette by the filter tip (if it doesn't have a filter then it doesn't matter which way round you take it) and make a light fist of the hand with the wet thumb, making sure that the thumb goes inside the fingers. Take the cigarette and put the other end into your fist between your fingers and thumb, just about 3 cms down (about an inch). As you show the cigarette in this position, gently squeeze. The cigarette will now stick to the back of your thumb. Do all of this quickly and smoothly and go straight into the magic passes with the other hand as you say, "Watch!" and no one will notice that you've made your fist in a slightly funny way.

The rhythm here is very important. Make the first magic passes quite slowly and the third really quickly. Add some verbal misdirection too by counting out loud, "One, Two...Three!". Now, as your hand comes down momentarily obscuring the cigarette, simply raise your thumb and open your hand. The cigarette (stuck to the back of your thumb) will now be upside down and hidden from view! Make the passes again and return your hand to its original position to make the cigarette reappear.

Now you also need to watch your angles because anyone watching from beside or behind you will see how this is done. The corner seat of a bar is an excellent spot, for example, or if your audience are seated in front of you at a more formal occassion that works well too. Another option is to stand up and step away a little from your audience, saying, "I'll stand up to do this so that you can all see really well." Actually you are standing up so that they can see less well but sometimes magicians have to tell these little white lies! :)

Here's what you can do next:

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