The Nail by Mayette Magie Moderne, For the Pros

Despite appearances, this version is one the surest of its kind.

You present four bases. Onto one of them a nail is fixed pointing upwards. Beforehand you will have the audience check that it is pointed. You cover each of the four bases with a paper or styrofoam cup. After mixing them around, it's impossible for the audience to know under which cup the nail is.

Now you are going to boost the adrenalin of your spectators. You ask them to select one of the cups which you crush in a surprise attack. Fortunately your hand is intact. You don't stop there and ask once more for a cup to be chosen. The cup is instantly crushed, but your hand is still intact!

You are going all the way and you are doing it one more time. You are safe until the end and let everyone verify the nail under the last cup.