Knuckle Roll
I first saw Dutch Boyd perform this trick during the 2003 World Series of Poker. You may have also seen this trick on “The Nuts” during the 2004 WSOP, where Antonio Esfandiari was doing it extremely fast with both hands at the same time. This trick can be tough to learn, but it always looks cool. When the knuckle roll is done fast enough, the chip looks like it floats over the fingers.
Before you begin
Trick Difficulty - 3
Chips needed - 1
Tutorial
Start the trick with the chip laying flat up against the side of the index finger and your thumb holding it there, slightly behind the 2nd knuckle.
With your thumb, push the chip up and onto the top of the index finger. Raise the middle finger up and over the edge of the chip. Lower the middle finger, pulling the chip down with it. The chip will lodge itself between the index and middle fingers so that it is standing straight up. Continue to lower the middle finger, allowing the chip to flip onto the top of this finger.
Repeat the process with the next finger. Raise the ring finger up and over the edge of the chip. Lower the ring finger, pulling the chip down with it. The chip will lodge itself between the middle and ring fingers so that it is standing straight up. Continue to lower the ring ringer, allowing the chip to flip onto the top of the ring finger.
Continue in the same fashion by raising the pinky up and over the edge of the chip. Lower the pinky, pulling the chip down with it.
At this point you have options. You can allow the chip to lodge itself between the ring and pinky fingers so that it is standing straight up. If you do this, you’ll then want to reverse the entire process to roll the chip back to where it started.
You can also let the chip drop down between the ring finger and pinky, catching it with your thumb. When you catch the chip, you want to have the flat part of the chip laying on your thumb. Balance the chip on the thumb and bring it back underneath all of the fingers. Raise the chip up against the index finger, where the trick can be repeated over and over again.
The knuckle roll is a nice trick to learn because it can be done in a long loop, always returning the chip back to where it started so that the trick can continue.
Comment #20 by justin violanti
November 16th, 2004 @ 11:10 PM
i love this web site, and i’m getting really good at all of the tricks. this trick took a little bit more time but, on long car rides it kicks ass! you should add some more tricks, so i can learn new ones. but all in all this site f-ing rocks! keep up the good work.
Comment #19 by alfaboy
November 11th, 2004 @ 1:05 AM
The first time I saw this trick was in one of Val Kilmer’s first movies called Real Genius. I think he did it with quarters in both hands. I tried it with quarters and the chips are much easier.
Comment #18 by jimmy
November 9th, 2004 @ 3:14 PM
you should put the johnny chan trick from rounders on here
Comment #17 by Frankthetank
November 3rd, 2004 @ 6:06 PM
I find it easier with coins, but I am getting better at it with chips. Yea Tombstone-Val Kilmer does a great job, and I heard that someone does it in the movie “The Right Stuff”
Comment #16 by Jake
November 1st, 2004 @ 12:59 PM
Cool. That’s what I figured, but someone wrote at the top that it was easier with coins.
I figured something larger would be easier to handle. I’m getting better, but I still can’t get the coin from my pinky back to the beginning.
Comment #15 by Nick
November 1st, 2004 @ 9:23 AM
I think it’s much easier with a poker chip personally. I can do it decent with the golden dollar coins which are a bit bigger than a quarter, but a chip is larger so it goes over my knuckles easier.
Comment #14 by Jake
November 1st, 2004 @ 1:27 AM
By the way, this site is awesome.
Comment #13 by Jake
November 1st, 2004 @ 1:27 AM
Do you guys think it’s easier to do with a chip or a quarter?
I just ordered chips so I don’t have any to practice with, but it seems like it would be easier than a quarter which I’m having a bit of trouble with.
Comment #12 by MrEkitten
October 28th, 2004 @ 3:46 AM
Ever since I saw Val Kilmer perform this trick in many of his movies (like a trademark), I have been obsessed with this trick. Excellent tutorial and great site. If you ever want to see a pro do this trick, then watch Val perform it with both hands at the same time. Beautiful.
Comment #11 by Bo
October 24th, 2004 @ 8:11 PM
this isn’t a trick so much as it is a tip. ive found that in a tence situation at a table where you want the other guy to fold, flipping a chip like a coin from one hand to the other and back makes you look very relaxed and often assists in making your opponant fold.