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Poker Chip Tricks 101: The Knuckle Roll

The knuckle roll may look like an easy poker chip trick, but it is really one of the most difficult. It may take a while for one to master this trick, especially since it requires a lot of hand and finger dexterity. You may find it awkward at first, but once you can do it smoothly and quickly, it becomes really a sight to behold.

The knuckle roll's aim is straightforward: you roll a single chip onto your knuckles. Those who are used to doing this trick could even do this back and forth the knuckles, repeatedly. Here is a step-by-step guideline on how to do the knuckle roll.

1. The best way to learn this trick is to do it slowly at first, gradually increasing speed as you get used to it. Start by placing a chip on the pad of your thumb. Balance it just so it becomes fairly stable.

2. Clip the chip between the pad of your thumb and the side of your index finger.

3. With your thumb, push the chip on top of your index finger. The chip should have a rotating, and not a sliding, motion. If you do it correctly, the chip should be resting flatly above your index finger.

4. The next steps are a bit difficult to do, since the tendency of the chip will be to roll out of place. But with practice, you will be able to control the movement of the chip. The chip still resting above your index finger, push it down using the groove of your middle finger. The chip should rotate towards the top of your middle finger. Remember, the proper motion of the chip should be a rotation or a flip, not a slide or a roll.

5. Repeat the above step with all of your other fingers. Push the chip down with the groove of the next finger until it flips towards the top of that finger. The movement should look as if you are passing the chip from finger to finger.

The knuckle roll is definitely one of the more difficult poker chip tricks. Some tricksters may be able to do the butterfly flawlessly but still be awkward in doing the knuckle roll. If you really want to learn this trick, our advice is to continue practicing even as you do your normal activities, like watching TV. Or if you are taking the bus or train, do it while you are commuting.

It will take a while before you have a smooth enough movement. But of course, to master any poker chip trick, you need patience and a lot of practice. Once you do master this, be sure to flaunt the knuckle roll around!