The Missing Link – A Color Prediction Magic Trick

The Missing Link is a self-working magic trick inspired by many classics of magic. Designed as a visual and tactile illusion, this trick uses 10 tiles shaped like chain links—each with color-matching ends—to form a closed loop. But here’s the twist: one tile is secretly removed at the start and hidden in a custom “Missing Link” holder. The spectator then builds the loop using the remaining nine tiles, only placing tiles that match the half-link color of the previous tile.

 

When the final piece is placed, two unmatched color ends remain... and the hidden tile—the missing link—perfectly completes the circle. No sleight of hand. No electronics. Just a clever and repeatable mechanical design that does the work for you.

 

This trick is:

• Completely self-working
• Repeatable with randomized outcomes
• Visually striking when printed in multi-color

Whether you perform for friends or want a clever desk toy that baffles coworkers, The Missing Link delivers surprise, satisfaction, and a little bit of mystery.

 

Try it for yourself!  After printing all of the pieces and assembling the prediction holder, simply place one of the tiles into the prediction holder without looking.  Pick a starting tile and assemble the loop with only matching colors.  Once you have one space left, the prediciton will always match! 

 

See more performance instructions at the bottom.

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Printing Notes:

• Print one set of 10 links, Prediction holder cover, back, and base.
• Layer Height: 0.20mm
• Supports: Not required
• Orientation: Files are pre-oriented for ideal print
• 8 Color AMS Version:
  • The center links of the 8 color AMS version should be grey or silver.  This is the recommended print style to help reduce the busyness of multiple colors.  
• 4 Color AMS Version:
  • The center links of the 4 color AMS version will be varying colors.  This accommodation was made to reduce the number of separate prints required to print all of the required tiles.  

Assembly Notes:

• No glue is required for assembling the prediction holder, but can be used if desired.  The Cover and back fit together, and press into the base.
• Chain tiles are designed to rest against each other without clips, magnets, or pegs
• The holder can be printed plain or with embedded "The Missing Link" text using AMS capabilities

Color Combinations (Default Configuration):
Each link tile features two different colored half-links. Arrange the following color pairs around the circle (one per tile), using your preferred order:

1. Yellow / Blue
2. Blue / Green
3. Green / Red
4. Red / White
5. White / Yellow
6. Yellow / Green
7. Green / White
8. White / Blue
9. Blue / Red
10. Red / Yellow

 

Performance Details:

 

Any tile can be randomly removed and hidden. The remaining tiles will always form a nearly complete circle, with the final gap perfectly matched by the hidden piece.

1. Remove any one tile and place it inside the holder without revealing its colors.  This is best to do before starting the trick.
2. Give the spectator the remaining 9 tiles and ask them to mix them up.  Have them pick any tile to  start the loop.
3. Instruct them to continue placing tiles that match the previous tile's open color.  The next tile can be placed on either end of the loop as long as it matches the color at that end.
4. Once all tiles are placed, a single space with two open ends will remain.
5. Reveal the missing tile — it will match the open space perfectly!

This trick can even be performed solo by closing your eyes and randomly selecting the hidden tile before starting.

 

Performance Notes:

• If you ever reach a point where no remaining tiles fit but not all pieces have been used (aside from the prediction) it may be necessary to have the spectator move one of the end pieces to the other side to make a space for another matching tile.
• Be sure to play up the “Prediction” aspect of this trick. Make sure the spectator knows you “knew exactly what they would do" and "what piece would be required to close the loop”.  
• Make sure they know they have multiple free choices early on, as the pieces that can be chosen later in the loop creation will be limited. Point out where there are multiple options that fit at the current ends.

I am still trying to work up a single color print option for this effect.  I will share here if I am able to achieve that.