How to Link Two Rubber Bands Anywhere

You’re at a table with friends and there are a couple of rubber bands lying around. You pick them up, show they are separate, and then—with just a tiny movement—they link together. It looks like the rubber melted right through. You’ll want to be able to do this because it works with borrowed bands and gets a huge reaction every time.

How the Linking Lesson is Structured

Julio breaks this down so you don't get confused by the finger positions. He starts by showing you the full routine so you see the timing. Then, he moves the camera close to show you the "secret" setup. He numbers the strands of the bands 1 through 4 so you know exactly which one to grab. Finally, he teaches you two different finishes: one using just your hands and a second version where you link the bands in your mouth.

What to Expect with the Difficulty

This trick is rated a 40 out of 100. It isn't a "day one" beginner trick, but you can learn it in an afternoon. The hardest part is the setup. You have to move your fingers in a specific way to get the bands ready. Julio teaches you how to use "misdirection"—like asking a simple question—so your friends look at your face while your fingers do the work. Once you get the muscle memory for the setup, the actual "link" is easy to do.

About Julio Ribera

Julio is a master at street magic who has taught over a million people online. He’s great at this trick because he focuses on the "offbeat"—the exact moment when people aren't looking—which is the secret to making this look like real magic.

What's Included

• The secret setup to prep the bands in plain sight
• The "four-strand" method for perfect finger placement
• The visual hand-to-hand link and unlink
• The mouth variation for a more "hands-off" look
• How to use big movements to hide the small secret moves
• Tips on using different colored bands to make the link pop

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need special rubber bands?
No. You can use any normal rubber bands you find at home or in an office. It actually looks better if they are just regular bands.

Can people see the secret move from the side?
Julio shows you how to angle your hands so the "secret" is hidden from the front. As long as you follow his advice on hand placement, you can do this up close.

How long does it take to get the setup right?
It usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes of practice to get your fingers to move automatically. After that, you just need to practice saying your "distraction" question at the same time.

What if I have small hands?
This trick works fine for any hand size. Since rubber bands stretch, you can adjust the tension to fit your fingers comfortably.