Believe it or not, most guys make a mockery of lighting their cigars. Even guys who have smoked them for years. They don't understand the concept behind the proper "ignition" of their smoke.

A reporter for Cigar Afficianado sat in dazed wonderment as Jack Nicholson was demonstrating his method for lighting a cigar. This is a man that has smoked cigars for years, but to this reporter it seemed Jack did not have a clue as to how to properly light his contraband Cuban smoke.

The first step in lighting a cigar is to cut the cigar. Make sure you use a high quality cutter. In fact, forget spending all that money on a fancy lighter, spend it on a decent cutter. Cut the "cap" of the cigar off and make sure that it is cut straight and true.

Try to not to use a lighter of any kind. If you feel like it is more convenient to use one, or if you need to flash your status by flashing that 100 dollar sterling silver lighter, go ahead. But, a good old fashioned long wooden match is still the way to go.

Most of these wooden matches are now being sold as cigar matches. They are usually 3-4 inches in length.

Light the match and wait until it is full ignited and that all the powder from the ignition has burned off (usually about 5 seconds)

Hold the match or lighter (if you must) about 1/2 inch from the tip of the cigar.

This is important: your heat source must NEVER actually touch the end of the cigar!!!

Dipping the end of the cigar into the flame chars and scars the tobacco. Avoid doing this.

Hold the match steady and twirl the cigar in your mouth. This is better than the other way around because this will minimize the risk of the heat source actually touching the cigar.

As you twirl the cigar start trying to draw or puff on the cigar. The air that you suck will draw enough heat to the end of the cigar allowing it to ignite gradually.

You will be surprised at how quickly and evenly your cigar will light!!

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