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• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Preparing the trick
• Part 2 of 2: Making the ending convincing

This trick where you pull an imaginary string is great fun for children to play with friends. The key to doing this trick is to convince the volunteer you choose that it will work. Prepare the trick by having him or her make a fist and rub their fingers. Then pretend to pull a string from the palm of his or her hand. If you're lucky, the volunteer will feel like a string is being pulled from his or her hand.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Preparing the trick

1. Convince your friend that the trick will work. Explain that the movements you are about to perform will feel like a string is being pulled from his or her hand, even if the string is not there.Without a doubt, speak in your voice as much of this trick is psychological, so you really need to radiate confidence.
   • To make your explanation more convincing, use big words, such as indicating that the trick uses psychological principles to create sensory illusions.
2. Ask your volunteer to clench his or her fist hard with the palm facing up. Really emphasize the importance of squeezing the fist as hard as possible. Ask the person to squeeze even harder once or twice just to get the point across.
   • However, it shouldn't hurt, so if the volunteer has long nails, don't let them squeeze their hand super hard.
3. Rub your fingers over the volunteer's fist for 30 seconds. Rub your fingers over the other person's fist as if it's covered in something sticky that you're trying to rub off. Be soft but firm. Count out loud to 30 while doing this. It will make the process feel a bit more like a ritual.
   • Remember, the point is to convince the other person that this will work, so make confident moves.
4. Ask the volunteer to open his fist very slowly, palm down. It should take at least 15 seconds, but there is no such thing as too slow. If the person is moving too fast, kindly remind them to slow down. Explain that the trick only works if it is done unhurriedly - that way you have an excuse if the other person doesn't feel anything.
   • When the person's hand is fully open, turn it over so that the palm is facing up.

Part 2 of 2: Making the ending convincing

1. Move your index finger over each of the volunteer's fingers. Starting in the center of the palm, move your index finger gently and slowly the length of each finger. Stay very calm and focused while doing this.
   • Alternatively, you can also squeeze the tips of the fingers.
2. Pretend to pull a string from their palm. Squeeze thumb and index fingers together so that there is no space between them. Place your fingers on the outside of your friend's palm and gently drag them toward the center in a pinching motion. Slowly lift your fingers above the palm of your hand, as if you were pulling a string.
   • Practice this move with your own hand a few times before actually performing the trick so that you can do it professionally.
3. Respond to your friend's response. If the trick works, it will likely look puzzled, pant or make some sort of exclamation. If the other person doesn't seem to be responding, you can ask, "Do you feel that?" In a wait-and-see voice. If they don't feel anything, explain casually that it doesn't always work for everyone, and suggest that they may have opened their fist too quickly, or that they haven't pulled it tight enough.
   • Some people are more prone to this trick than others, so try it out on a few others if it didn't work on the first.