Sleight of hand is the skillful use of quick, precise hand movements to perform tricks that fool the eye. When a magician makes a coin disappear or pulls a card from thin air, they're using sleight of hand: their fingers move so smoothly and quickly that you can't see what's really happening.

Good sleight of hand requires thousands of hours of practice to make difficult moves look effortless and natural. A magician might palm a coin (hide it in their hand while their hand looks empty), force a card (make you pick the one they want), or switch objects without anyone noticing.

The best sleight of hand artists understand that the real trick combines quick fingers with misdirection: directing your attention to the wrong place at the right moment, so you miss the secret move happening right in front of you.