Learn How To Shuffle Cards

At most of the house games players take turn in shuffling and dealing cards. So it is very important for you to learn proper method of shuffling. Also, try to shuffle the same way at all times. It raises less suspicious if you are consistent with your actions.

Learning different card shuffles can also help you spot a cheater at your game.

The most common shuffling methods are:

• Riffle Shuffle otherwise known as Faro shuffle
• Hindu Shuffle
• Spreading the cards

Riffle / Faro Shuffle

Riffle shuffle is the most common and basic form of shuffling. There are different variation of Riffle Shuffle. Following is the instructions on how to perform a Table Riffle Shuffle:

1. Separate the deck of cards into two roughly even stacks.
2. Hold each stack with one hand. Put them beside each other so that they make a outward 20 degrees angle. The space between the decks would form a "V" shape.
3. Place your thumbs on the inner corners of the decks, closer to your body. The two inner corners should be slightly touching each other.
4. Place your other four fingers of each hand on top of each deck. Form an outward line with your fingers starting from your thumb (with your index finger) going toward the other corner of the deck.
5. Use your thumbs to lift the corners of each stack while holding down the rest of the deck with your other four fingers. This way only the corners of each deck will lift up.
6. Pull the inner corners of the decks up with your thumb and push the rest of the decks down using your other four fingers.
7. Move your thumbs slowly out from their positions alternately releasing one card at a time. The two corners of the deck should be close enough to each so that when the cards are released, they get mixed. Idealy each realeased card from each half of the deck should lay over the corresponding card from the second half of the deck making an even mix.
8. Mix all of the two stacks in this fashion.
9. Form a single deck by pushing the shuffled cards into a uniform pile.

Hindu Shuffle

Spreading the cards

As the name implies this is done by spreading the cards on the table, mixing them, and then putting them together.

Useful Links

• Card Shuffling Tutorial
• How to Shuffle and Cut The Deck With One Hand
• Dealer Ttraining Program Very detail and well worth the investment. You can also get a dealing degree from them.
• Shuffling explained on Wikipedia: Brief overview of different card shuffling methods.

Last Updated - January 3, 2007