How Dick Keeps His Fingers Limber

After 50+ years of performing tricks, Dick knows that finger flexibility is everything. “Stiff fingers are a magician’s worst enemy,” Dick says. “If you can’t move them smoothly, your whole act falls apart.” Here’s Dick’s daily routine:

Dick’s Morning Finger Routine

Every morning before breakfast, Dick does his finger exercises. “It only takes five minutes,” Dick says, “and it makes a world of difference for the rest of the day.”

The Spread — Extend all fingers as wide as they’ll go, hold for 5 seconds, then make a tight fist. Repeat 10 times. “Dick does this the moment he wakes up, sometimes before he even gets out of bed.”
Finger Rolls — Tap each finger to your thumb, one at a time, going forward and backward. Dick does three sets on each hand. “Speed is the goal — Dick’s gotten so fast it looks like a blur.”
The Knuckle Crack — Dick is a firm believer in cracking his knuckles. “My wife hates it, but Dick’s knuckles have been cracking for decades and they’ve never been more limber.”
Card Springs — Dick springs the deck between his hands at least 50 times every morning. “It’s a warm-up AND a trick,” Dick says. “Two birds, one stone.”

Dick’s Hand Care Tips

Moisturize — Dick applies lotion after every hand wash. “Dry hands are Dick’s nemesis. You need just enough moisture to grip the cards without them sticking.”
Warm water soak — Before a big show, Dick soaks his hands in warm water for a few minutes. “Gets the blood flowing to the tips of your fingers.”
Avoid the cold — Dick always wears gloves in winter. “Cold fingers are clumsy fingers, and Dick can’t afford to be clumsy.”