How to use the TT (Thumb Tip)

Hey Vicente,

Welcome to the forum.

I want to tell you that the thing with the Thumb Tip is to overcome your apprehension about using it.

What you can do is put it on your thumb and just leave it there, without even using it. Get comfortable with it and practice other effects that don't even involve it. That's how you'll get over the fear of someone spotting it.

A great experiment is to do, say, a few card tricks with the Thumb Tip on, just to see if your audience even notices it. If they do spot it, no biggie! You're not even using it for the card effects!! It'd just be a laugh, and you could even quip, "My fingers are falling off from doing so much magic!" or "I get so worn out performing card tricks, I even bring a spare thumb!".

I'll share a quick anecdote about this.

A few months ago, I was in a video conference with the master, Luis Arza. He was performing card effects, holding the camera himself, explaining the routines to us, and offering professional advice on prop management. About 30 minutes into his amazing handiwork, he paused and asked, "Has anyone noticed I'm wearing a Thumb Tip?"

He'd been doing the entire conference with the Thumb Tip on, and no one had spotted it!!!

It's a cliché, but it's true: if you don't make a big deal out of it, nobody else will. That feeling that everyone's going to spot it? That's just your own guilty conscience playing tricks, because you know it's there.

This device has been in the hands of magicians worldwide for over 100 years and is still used today – there's a good reason for that!

Best of luck, and go for it!!

Hey there @_vicentmagic2023

I'm a bit short on time right now, but I wanted to respond to something you said.

@_vicentmagic2023:

Someone who really knows how to use the thumb tip

One of the true masters is Gary Darwin.

The TT has so many possibilities.

If a magician were to dedicate themselves solely to using a TT,

they wouldn't have enough time in a lifetime to discover everything it offers and all that can be done with it.

@_vicentmagic2023:

Is it really important to have a thumb tip that matches my skin color?

Obviously, absolutely!

That's the number one golden rule.

1. What are the precise moves to ensure your Thumb Tip stays hidden and its presence is never detected?

Here are the essential technical keys to make sure your Thumb Tip goes completely unnoticed:

📌 Natural Thumb Tip Placement:

• Place the Thumb Tip onto your thumb with a casual motion—never mechanical or forced.
• If you're wearing it from the start, keep your thumb slightly curved—never fully extended or rigid.

✋ Natural Hand Positions:

• The hand with the Thumb Tip must move completely naturally. Avoid subconsciously "protecting" it, as that creates tension and draws the spectator's eye.

👀 Visual Control & Gaze Management:

• Leverage misdirection: while you're showing something with your other hand or making eye contact with the audience, you can execute the crucial moves with the Thumb Tip completely unnoticed.

🧠 Magical Timing:

• Mentally separate the secret moment (e.g., when you load something into the Thumb Tip) from the moment the effect is revealed. This prevents the spectator from connecting the cause with the effect.

🎭 Dramatic Justification:

• Add an emotional or narrative reason to justify every movement. If your hands are actively engaged as part of a story, no one will suspect the Thumb Tip.

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2. How important is it that my Thumb Tip matches my exact skin tone?

Yes, it's highly recommended.

Here are some other posts on the topic:

https://magigram.com/en/club/beginners/thumb-tip-4440/

https://magigram.com/en/club/magic/thumb-tip-ideas-1424/