What began as a way to pass time during those long and boring classes, has now become an art that people are willing to learn and compete for. Pen spinning is now professional, what with competitions being held to judge people's 'pen spinning ability', and the development of numerous techniques to master it. However, as is the case while learning anything new, you have to start with the basics. Basic Tricks It is advisable to learn these tricks in the order that they have been listed, to attain good dexterity and movement of the hands. Before you begin, remember to keep your hand relaxed, to watch the pen at all times to be able to understand the techniques, to keep the hands warm to allow easier movement, and to choose a good pen to do the tricks. Also remember to take breaks as a tired hand will not be as dexterous as a relaxed hand. The Thumbaround (360 degrees Normal) It is ideal to begin learning pen spinning with the thumbaround, as it is the simplest of them all.

1. Hold your pen in the normal writing position, with your thumb and index finger.
2. Slightly move away your middle finger, from the tip of your thumb, and hold the center of the pen.
3. Move away your index finger, as it is now not required to perform this trick. All the energy to perform this trick comes from the middle finger.
4. Now push the pen with the middle finger, towards your body, ensuring that your index finger is completely out of the way.
5. The thumb requires minimal movement, and should be kept straight while the pen is spinning around the back.
6. Finish the spin by catching the pen back in the writing position.

The Sonic Though the sonic is slightly more difficult than the thumbaround, once mastered, it is as easy to perform.

1. Hold the pen between the index finger and the ring finger, towards the center of the palm, and have the back of the pen stuck behind the thumb. Doing so will allow you to build pressure to release the pen and give it good speed.
2. Press the middle finger down lightly and release the pen with the thumb, while continuing the downward pressure on the pen. While you release the pen with the thumb, push the index finger towards the ring finger, to be able to catch the pen between the two.
3. Get your middle finger out of the way. Allow for a rotation between the index and the ring finger, and slowly bring up the middle finger, in a manner that the pen is now held between the index and the middle finger.
4. Having caught the pen between the index and the middle finger, allow it to rotate till you catch it with your thumb.

The Charge The charge is slightly similar to the sonic. The pen rotates between the fingertips of the middle and ring finger, back and forth.

1. Hold the pen in the same position as you would for the sonic. However, keep your fingers slightly bent for the charge.
2. Now stretch your fingers while moving the ring finger slightly backward. The downward tip of the pen should now start moving in an upward motion.
3. Allow the pen to rotate until the downward tip has completely shifted upwards. Now bend the ring finger slightly forward, and allow the pen to rotate towards the thumb.
4. To attain a continuous movement, repeat steps 2 to 4 and ultimately, catch the pen with your thumb.

The Fingerpass It may sound easy to do, but performing the fingerpass requires some time and patience. Again, as is the case with other tricks, once mastered, it can be performed with ease.

1. Hold the pen across the four fingers, ideally beneath the index and ring finger, and above the middle finger and pinkie.
2. Apply pressure on the ring finger, and release the pen from beneath the index finger. Rotate it around the pinkie.
3. The pen will now land above the index and ring finger, and beneath the middle finger and pinkie.
4. Continue this process with speed, and end it by flipping the pen up and catching it in your hand!

Ideally, this trick should be performed without the use of the thumb, though you may use it initially to get the hang of it. Pen spinning tricks are just a combination of techniques that involve eye-hand coordination and dexterity. The art of pen spinning is one that can easily be learned and developed with practice. Master these basics, learn the advanced techniques, and you will be absolutely ready to compete for the title of the ultimate pen spinner!