>>25Starting off with picking can be daunting; but the first step to any successful lock picking attempt is to become intimately aware of the lock and its pins. The most basic step is to identify the number of pins inside the keyway.
After you've identified the number of pins in the key way, numbering it and maintaining the positions in your head, insert your tension wrench into the top of the key way, pressing in the direction that will open the lock, and apply minimal to medium tension, so that the pins snap in place when you push them to the shear line.
(for those of you that don't know, the shear line is where the pins align to unlock the lock, shown in the diagram above. You must put all pins in the shear line to open the lock.)
Then, put in your hook or rake and begin trying to press up the pins to the shear line. If you are using a hook, you are single-pin-picking.(SPP) If you use a rake, you are obviously raking.
Raking is just in the name; you pull back and forth in the key way with your rake, randomly shoving it around until you get a completed set of pins, and the lock opens.
You probably know what single pin picking is, as it's the most common form of picking in the media, so I won't explain it further.
If this is your first attempt on a door lock, it may take you several minutes if you have all the proper strategies in mind. Take note that is may be more effective to purchase a knock-off master lock for two dollars from your local dollar store, or anything with the name "Master" as a brand; as they are commonly known as the easiest to break in to locks.