Simple! Easy one-shot gags. Surefire bits that liven up parties and performances [2026]

Vanishing Middle Finger

[Magic/Trick Explanation] Disappearing Middle Finger!

Here’s one of those charming little one-shot tricks you can do with just your hands that will make people laugh without thinking.

Two tricks are introduced: one where your pinky looks shorter, and another where your middle finger disappears.

With simple tricks like these, performance matters, so think about how you present them.

It’s nice that, even without much practice, you can make people do a quick double take and go, “Huh?”

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

Report a problem

Oshibori dogeza

Oshibori Dogeza Learned Through Tanka.AVI

You may have seen people make things like penguins out of wet towels at restaurants.

Using the same idea, you can fold one to make a person doing a dogeza (kneeling in apology).

If you make it when you’ve spilled a drink at a party or your joke falls flat—anytime you’ve messed up—it might get a laugh and help you get forgiven! It’s worth remembering this trick, for sure (lol).

Turban Noguchi

Turban Noguchi made with a 1,000-yen bill | C CHANNEL Lifestyle

Have you heard of “Turban Noguchi”? If you fold a 1,000-yen bill in a certain way, Hideyo Noguchi ends up wearing a turban.

The process itself is just folding the bill, so it looks pretty plain, but if you do it deftly and show it off, it might liven things up a bit.

There are also folding methods for “Helmet Noguchi” and “Cowboy Noguchi.”

A quick gag using disposable chopsticks

A party trick using disposable chopsticks for entertainment at a banquet

This is a simple one-shot gag using disposable chopsticks.

For example, while you’re waiting for food at a bar or restaurant, it might be a good icebreaker to perform and start a conversation.

Since disposable chopsticks are basically available at any eatery, it’s an easy gag you can do anywhere.

Zabuton relay

Japan’s classic one-shot gag: “Spinning the zabuton” #OneShotGag #Mystery #Ripoff #Shorts

How about spinning a cushion while saying, “I’m spinning more than usual today”? In a tatami banquet room, there should always be seat cushions, so try twirling one with your index finger.

With some practice, spinning it with your toes is tougher, but it’ll hype up the crowd even more.

Spoon bending

[Forbidden Reveal] Watch this and you too can do it: Spoon-bending tricks fully unveiled!

All you need is a somewhat flimsy spoon you can get at a 100-yen shop.

Hold the base of the handle with your thumb, index finger, and middle finger, and support the very end with your pinky.

Then just swing your arm so it doesn’t look like you’re using force, and bend the spoon using leverage! Once you get the hang of it, it really looks like you’re bending the spoon without using any strength!

Fork bending

[Legendary Episode] Abnormally Popular Spoon Bending

If there’s spoon bending, of course there’s fork bending too.

They make it look so easy to bend, don’t they? Once you learn it, it’s a sure-fire, simple way to stand out.

Master both spoon bending and fork bending, and bend away to your heart’s content.