The jumping rubber bands is a great classic trick. I think most of us learned it in elementary school, but a few years ago I learned a cool new twist (and I mean ‘twist’ literally ha ha).
The Setup
There is no pre-trick setup, just have some rubber bands. I find it more fun to borrow someone else’s rubber bands, so they know they are regular bands, no gimmick.
You start by presenting the two rubber bands. Set one down, and put the other around the 1st and 2nd finger of either hand (I prefer to use my dominant hand). Stretch the rubber band around to show that it is clearly around 2 fingers, and only the 2 fingers.
While stretching the band, pull it down over your palm. This positions it for the ‘trick move’.
The secret is to put all four fingertips in the outstretched rubber band. From the front it looks like it is only around two fingers, but is secretly around all four. When you open your hand the band appears to “jump” from your 1st two fingers, to your 2nd two fingers.
When you stretch the band around you are getting the people used to seeing you move the band around, and showing that the band is only around two fingers. What you are really doing is stretching the band down into your palm, so you can put all 4 fingertips in the rubber band.
You can make the band jump back and forth between the fingers as many times as you want, there is nothing in this trick to reset. I usually only make it jump twice. The 1st time takes them by surprise, then the 2nd time they are watching closer while you make it jump back to the original starting position.
Added Twist
A few years ago a friend of mine taught me a new “twist” to the jumping rubber band trick. He was a retired magician… and had only learned this new twist recently himself.
While the 1st rubber band is around 2 fingers, take the 2nd rubber band and twist it around all four fingertips.
The procedure is the same. You stretch the band to show that it is around only two fingers, but now it looks well and truly trapped by the twisted band. Pull the 1st band down into your palm and put all four fingertips in the band, as before. The rubber band twisted around your fingertips can be ignored, as far as the trick works. It honestly makes no difference in the mechanics of the band moving.
When you open your hand – the rubber band still jumps between your fingers! The twisted band on you fingertips does not hinder the move, but sure makes it look more impossible.
Tips
1. When you do the twisted rubber band make sure you get it around the first knuckle on each finger. In the instructional video I messed up and put it up too high, on the nail of one finger. As I was doing the trick I could feel the rubber band about to come off. I left the mistake to show that we all make mistakes. That is not a show stopper – you just learn to keep going.
2. Having your own rubber bands is not too suspicious, particularly at school or work, but to use someone else’s rubber bands really makes the trick more effective. With their own bands, they know there is no gimmick.
3. Practice in front of a mirror to make sure you do not flash the secret move to the audience.
4. You can easily substitute a hair band if you do not have rubber bands around. Quite often it will be easier to borrow a hair band from someone.
Video
Here is the full presentation on YouTube. I demonstrate the trick, show the moves, and give more tips for the performance.
