Parlor Trick!

Here is a fun parlor trick for you! How do you remove the coin without touching the matches? Karl and I are going to show you!

But, first! Did you know that children do not know how to light matches!? I didn't! I just figured that, if you were eight years old, you had played with matches. How do children expect to burn down apartment complexes if they have not figured out this essential life skill?

Teaching Karl how to light a match proved to be surprisingly difficult.

We went through about 10 matches before we got a successful strike.

What were we doing wrong? What were we missing? Ah! Pressure! Karl was not applying any pressure when lighting the match. Once we figured that out, Karl was lighting matches like a pro!

Here is how to light a match:

1. Hold the match at a 45 degree angle.

2. Apply just the right amount of pressure to the match book.

3. Strike the match away from you quickly!

4. Oh wait!! Before you do #3, know how to put the match out.

Let's get back to our trick, shall we?

To remove the coin, light a match; not the two matches that are part of the trick, but a separate match. Ignite the middle of the angled match.

Fire!

This picture is bad, but the angled match will stick to the vertical match, curl up, and lift itself from the coin.

See!

Now you can remove that coin and buy something important for that special lady you impressed with your clever parlor trick!