Poker Chip Tricks 101: The Boomerang

The boomerang is a simple enough poker chip trick. It requires a little amount of dexterity, so even the clumsiest of hands could do it. The boomerang is fancy-looking enough, but not really practical as a poker chip trick. This is because you need a pretty smooth surface to execute it properly, and the felt poker table is not good.

Still, the boomerang is a good enough trick to be done by enthusiasts or even at home games. The aim of this poker chip trick is pretty simple: by rolling a single chip with enough force, you get to roll the chip forward and back towards you.

Here is a step-by-step explanation of how the boomerang is done.

1. Try to do this trick on a smooth enough surface, like a table. However, do not do it on surfaces you do not want to damage, since contact with the poker chip might scratch it. Get a poker chip and hold it with your thumb and index finger on the outermost edge of its face. It should look like as if you are going to drop a coin onto a slot machine.

2. Slam the poker chip edge first on the floor (or table, or whatever surface) such that it rolls out of your fingers. Slam it hard enough and with a follow through that your hands also slam the floor.

3. If you do the last step correctly, the chip should roll forward and then roll back to you. If you want to control the speed and length of the roll do the following. If you want to make the chip roll faster and farther, refrain from flicking your fingers. Maintain a hard hold on the chip, and make as little follow-through as possible.

4. If you want the chip to roll slowly, with chances that it will roll in position before returning back, slam it harder. But this time, flick your fingers so that you will have more follow through.

If you don't get it at first, try doing it on other surfaces. If you still don't get it, try doing it with other kinds of poker chips. And if it still doesn't work, practice with a coin first. The coin will roll on any normal floor surface, be it wood, marble, or ceramic. Not on a carpet, of course.

The boomerang, while not really anything to be wowed at, is nevertheless still a fun poker chip trick to do. You may not even need tons of practice to execute it well. Just remember, if you fail to do it the first time, be patient and try the poker chip trick some more!