The Wrapped Straw Trick by Jay Sankey

Created by: Jay Sankey

The Wrapped Straw Trick is a close-up magic illusion that transforms everyday items into a mind-blowing experience. Using a wrapped straw, a wooden stir stick, and a paper napkin, the magician snaps the stick in half, makes a piece vanish, and then reveals it magically inside the straw. The trick is perfect for impromptu performances in casual settings like coffee shops, and it relies on misdirection, subtle sleight of hand, and audience curiosity. The effect is both visual and intellectual, leaving spectators amazed as they inspect the straw to find the exact piece of the stick that vanished. This trick is ideal for magicians who enjoy working with common objects and creating strong, memorable moments.

Key features

  • Uses everyday items: a wrapped straw, wooden stir stick, and paper napkin

  • Impromptu and easy to perform in casual settings

  • Strong visual and intellectual impact

  • Relies on misdirection and subtle sleight of hand

  • Audience participation enhances the experience

Pros

  • Easy to learn and perform

  • Uses common objects, making it highly practical

  • Delivers a strong visual punch

  • Versatile for various performance settings

  • Encourages audience interaction and curiosity

Cons

  • Requires careful handling to keep the method hidden

  • May need practice to perfect the sleight of hand

  • Relies on the quality of the materials (e.g., straw, stick)

Effect

The Wrapped Straw Trick creates a striking visual illusion using everyday items. A magician snaps a wooden stir stick in half, making one piece vanish into thin air. The missing piece is then revealed inside a wrapped straw, seemingly impossible to access. The audience is left amazed as they see the exact piece of the stick they just witnessed disappear, now sliding back and forth inside the straw. The trick is simple yet powerful, leaving spectators questioning how the piece could have ended up there.

Full details

The Wrapped Straw Trick uses a wooden stir stick, a wrapped straw, and a paper napkin. The magician snaps the stick in half, making one piece vanish. The missing piece is secretly loaded into the straw using a clever technique. The straw is then handed to the audience, who can feel the piece inside. The magician tears off the straw's wrapper to reveal the piece, matching the broken end of the stick. The trick relies on subtle sleight of hand and misdirection, making it appear as though the piece magically transported into the straw.

Who should consider the trick

This trick is ideal for magicians who enjoy impromptu magic and performing in casual settings like coffee shops. It’s perfect for those who want a quick, visual effect that requires minimal preparation. The Wrapped Straw Trick is also great for beginners, as it uses common objects and is relatively easy to learn. However, experienced magicians can also appreciate its clever method and potential for creative presentation.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The Wrapped Straw Trick is beginner-friendly but requires attention to detail. The setup is straightforward, and the sleight of hand involved is not overly complex. However, the magician must handle the items carefully to keep the method hidden. The trick also relies on smooth presentation and misdirection, which may take some practice to perfect. Overall, it’s a low-to-moderate difficulty trick that can be mastered with a bit of rehearsal.

What magicians say

Jay Sankey, a well-known magician, describes The Wrapped Straw Trick as "a beautiful example of impromptu magic." He highlights its practicality, noting that it only requires a wooden stir stick, a wrapped straw, and a paper napkin. Sankey emphasizes the trick’s visual and intellectual appeal, calling it "so much fun" to perform. He also provides detailed tips on presentation, such as using subtle hand movements to sell the illusion. Sankey’s enthusiasm for the trick underscores its potential to create strong reactions from audiences.

What people are saying about The Wrapped Straw Trick

SankeyMagic says...

This trick is so practical, its practicality is almost another kind of magic. All you need is a wooden stir stick, a wrapped straw, and a paper napkin, and you’re ready to blow minds.

Tutorial videos