The "dragon-spell" refers to the power Smaug has to hypnotize his enemies. Smaug's eyes have powerful hypnotic qualities, and be looking directly at someone, he can convince them to do or say anything he wants. Smaug, as a dragon, is in the same reptilian family as snakes. Snakes have also long been described as having hypnotizing ability.
Bilbo cleverly tricks Smaug into announcing his weak spot by challenging Smaug's abilities. He knows that the dragon is arrogant enough to want to prove how powerful he is; and also arrogant enough to assume that no one would be able to get at the weak spot.
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