Almost every person in the world held a deck of cards in their hands. For some it is a simple playing instrument, for others it is used to predict fate, but for others it is a real job. Even for the simplest card game, shuffling is used to change the order of cards in the deck and add an element of randomness. People whose work involves cards, be it a dealer or a magician, know how to surprise the audience even before the performance or game begins.
Their shuffling methods are fascinating, it seems like real magic. But there are methods of shuffling that cheaters use to deceive players, so if you know how to shuffle cards, you can protect yourself from being cheated.
Basic Shuffling Methods
It is impossible to enumerate all the mixing methods. Every day, experienced players, magicians and croupiers add to this list. Anyone can learn to shuffle a deck, but shuffling cards like a pro won't take a day of practice. We bring to your attention the most common methods of shuffling a deck.
Flipping
This method is the simplest and most common; it involves transferring cards from one hand to another. We take the deck with our left hand, and with our right hand we lift a small part of the cards and throw them into the deck. It is enough to do 7-8 repetitions.
Volt
This method of mixing is somewhat similar to juggling and looks very impressive. The method involves quickly shuffling cards in your hands, divided into several separate piles. Since shuffling cards using this method is not difficult, anyone can learn how to do it. First you need to divide the deck into 3 or 4 parts, holding the deck in your left hand with three fingers, with your index finger you need to lift a quarter of the cards and move them to the right. We fix our finger on the edge of the pushed cards and with our right finger push them to the left. It turns out that the stack of cards is wrapped between the palm trees and the cards are moved to the right hand. We repeat the same movements with the remaining parts. The movements are simple, but in order for the mixing to look spectacular, everything must be done quickly.
Fan
How to shuffle cards this way is clear from the name. You need to distribute the deck like a fan, divide it into two halves in two hands and pass one half of the deck between the other. In order for the cards to take on a random order, you need to do the fan several times.
Shuffle in parts
This method of shuffling is mainly used by sharpers who need to fold the cards in a special order. The essence of the method is to move the necessary cards to the bottom of the deck, and shuffle the rest of the deck without affecting the necessary ones. At the end of the shuffle, the sharper carefully moves the set aside cards to the top of the deck.
Swallow's tail
As in the fan, the deck of cards is divided in half and one half is passed into the other, but the cheater needs to cover one half with his right hand and describe the movements to the right side. Separating part of the deck, he again moves this part to the top. Everything happens quickly, it seems that the cards are shuffled, but in fact everything remains in place.
Foro
This is a more complex type of card shuffling and can be compared to tricks. This method requires a new deck; this trick will not work with the old one. The idea of the number is that the cards should fit into one another almost by weight, flowing from hand to hand, as if like a waterfall. Experienced dealers advise how to learn how to shuffle cards this way: holding the deck in your left hand, drag half of the cards with your right hand, then align the halves and place them vertically one on top of the other. We gradually remove our hands, and the cards smoothly move apart.
Knowing the principle of how to shuffle cards beautifully, and having enough time to practice, you can independently learn this craft in order to surprise your family with unusual shows.
The short answer to the question of how to properly shuffle a deck of cards is: carefully. It is necessary to destroy the existing chain of cards, without leaving a single previous sequence. There are several methods. During official tournaments and in casinos, classic methods are usually used. When holding private games, you can surprise the audience with the most exotic tricks.
Basic methods
- Traditional. This method is simple and anyone can do it. The deck is in the left hand. The one on the right takes some of the cards and gives them to the left again, but in a different order. The so-called “rafting” allows you to shuffle cards well at home.
- Faro (Fan). A more complex method, it is often used by experienced dealers. Holding the cards suspended, they need to be divided into two approximately equal piles, connected with the edges like a gear, bent in an arc and quickly shuffled through one. Looks impressive, but takes practice and a strong deck.
- American version(aka Cut-In and Rifle). Shuffled in hands or on the table. The deck is bent up to 90 degrees and “slapped” into the other hand until about halfway. Then bend both parts, holding the edge with your thumb. They quickly “shoot” the card on each side to mix them up.
- strip. The deck is divided into blocks and then shuffled. There should be at least three parts, they are simply thrown on the table surface, one on top of the other, and so on at least 7-8 times.
- Chemmi. With a smooth movement, the dealer lays out the deck into two ribbon-shaped fans. After this, he simply mixes it, distributing it with his hands on the table in random order. After this it is collected into a pile.
- Indian style. The deck is divided into blocks and shuffled, as in the Strip version, but not on the table, but held in the hands.
Shuffle machine
Want to shuffle the cards so that everyone gasps? Learn to do this very quickly. But it is important to understand that there is always room for unconscious error and a loophole for cheaters.
For example, when shuffling in parts, the trickster can move the necessary cards to the bottom, and after shuffling, move them to the top again. There are dozens of such tricks.
To eliminate the human factor and mistrust, use a shuffle machine. This device will save you from worrying about how to shuffle cards correctly. Everything will be done perfectly and quickly. There are both inexpensive amateur models and professional-level options, usually they are built into the table.
Completing the Shuffle
Preparation of cards for the game is not limited to shuffling. The dealer must level the deck. In home games, his role is usually played by the person who sits to the left of the dealer.
To do this, take a cutting card; it is found in most poker sets. It is placed under the stack, this will prevent the bottom card from being accidentally “exposed”. The deck is sent to the “shoe” and handed over from there until only the cutting deck remains.
Any card player - professional or amateur - knows perfectly well what shuffling cards is and how they should be shuffled. There are several basic ways to mix cards:
Hand to hand shuffle (or natrusk) and grooved shuffle. The first method is most often used at home and has two types: up and down mixing and "running manner". In the first type, when shuffling cards, the bottom group of the deck is at the bottom. In the second, a slightly extended card or group of cards is used to assemble a deck (in-jogs and out-jogs), shuffling on top of the pack.
At grooved shuffle use deck control, card or group control, ledge shuffle, grooved pick, and assembly movement.
Another type of shuffle - "Pharaoh", where the alternation of cards occurs evenly from the two halves of the deck.
Shuffle) is any mixing and moving of cards in order to create their unpredictable and uncertain output during the game. A shuffle is a preparatory procedure before cards are dealt. The deck is thoroughly mixed and trimmed.
All dealer operations should be clear, the optimal speed when shuffling cards is average, and the pace should be uniform. All this happens before the eyes of the players. Good and effective shuffling of cards requires a certain skill and dexterity of the hands of the dealer and is sometimes a decisive factor in the outcome of the game.
The casino uses several basic types of shuffles: riffle, shammy, strip.
IN riffle shuffle Shuffling of two halves of a deck of cards is used - this is a thorough and quick mixing.
IN shammy shuffle There is a chaotic shuffling of cards.
Block mixing of cards, where 4 or more parts of a deck of cards are mixed together, is called strip shuffle.
Each shuffle is accompanied by a mandatory card alignment procedure and ends pruning. Trimming is the final step in the complete shuffle cycle. It is performed by the dealer only once and strictly with one hand; at home, the deck is cut by the player sitting in front of the dealer.
The complete process of shuffling cards is alternation several shuffles, leveling and trimming and is carried out before each distribution. In a casino, the dealer mixes all the cards, after which the player is asked to cut them with a special cutting card. Then the cards are placed in a special device called a “heel” or "shoe", from which the cards for distribution are taken. In some cases, the first few cards from the “heel” are removed “face down”. Previously played cards are stacked in a specially designated place. As soon as the cut card comes out of the “heel”, the current hand is played out and the entire deck is shuffled again. Thus, the cards that remain behind the cut do not participate in the game.
In casinos, and recently more and more often at home, special devices are used to shuffle cards - shuffle machines.
The machine effectively mixes a deck of cards in a fully automatic mode. With its help, the preparatory stage for the game is significantly accelerated and cheating at the stage of shuffling cards is eliminated. Convenience, practicality and reliability in using a shuffle machine guarantees a fair distribution of cards at home gaming tournaments, high level of play and prestige.
Translation of the book Shadowscapes Tarot (Stephanie Pui-Mun Law & Barbara Moon). Full list of links to translations
Rituals are not a necessary part of fortune telling. Regardless, there are several reasons why it might be a good idea to incorporate a ritual or two into your practice.
Our daily life is full of bustle and distractions. Carrying out even the simplest ritual is a way to calm down, collect yourself, and focus on current tasks. Tarot reading is believed to be a connection or communication with the divine. And this communication proceeds favorably when your mind is open, everyday logic subsides, and intuition is activated. By performing a ritual before fortune telling, you help restructure your mind and tune it to fortune telling. Finally, if you are telling fortunes to someone, then the ritual will help this person calm down, collect himself, and focus. The ritual will allow you to enter a supersensible state, thanks to which the person will become more receptive to the message that you receive during fortune telling.
Rituals can be as complex or simple as you wish. Your personal ritual may consist of one or a series of actions. We provide a list of what other tarot readers do. Try some of these actions, individually or in combination, and see which one works for you:
Change into special clothes for laying out cards;
- Always shuffle and remove cards in the same way;
- Place your feet flat on the floor, fold your hands on your knees, close your eyes and concentrate;
- Light the candle;
- Turn on the music;
- Say a prayer or spell;
- Light some incense.
How to shuffle, remove, draw cards
Before you start fortune telling, shuffle the deck thoroughly. There are many ways to do this. You can shuffle them overlapping, like most people do with playing cards. If you think this method may damage your cards, use the shuffling method, in which one hand throws the cards onto the other. If the deck is too large (or your hands are too small) for this method, you can shuffle the cards by placing them face down on the table.
Raising the deck is just a beautiful gesture. In the case of playing cards, picking up plays the role of protection against cheating, but in fortune telling it is just part of the ritual. Divide the deck into two or more pieces, and then put the deck back together by swapping the pieces. Some fortune tellers do this with their weak hand (for a right-handed person, the weak hand is the left, for a left-handed person - the right. Approx. zmeykina).
Card Draw refers to the manner in which you draw cards from the deck and place them in the spread position. You can draw cards from the top or bottom of the deck. You can fan out the deck on the table and select the required number of cards to be dealt in any order, stacking them and then placing them in the layout positions from top to bottom.
If you are telling fortunes to someone else, decide who will shuffle and cut the deck: just you, just that person, or both of you. Some tarot readers do not allow anyone to touch their deck. Others believe that it is important that the cards mix the energy of both parties involved.
Some people prefer to play cards face up, others face down. Playing the cards face down has the advantage that the plot is built the moment each new card is revealed; this allows you to focus on the card without scattering your attention to the cards that come later. Laying out the cards face up allows you to see the layout as a whole and as an overall picture of information even before you highlight individual cards within it.
Reading the layout
Reading a layout is a review of the information reflected in the layout. Since you already know that different groups of cards in a deck have specific meanings, you can incorporate your knowledge of the basic structure of a tarot deck into your reading of the spread. The Major Arcana represent significant events in life, cups - emotions and relationships, aces - new beginnings, etc.
However, there is something else that tarot readers pay attention to. If there are a large number of court cards in a reading, it could mean that there are too many people involved in the situation. Knights can mean a rapidly developing situation, especially when combined with the Eight of Wands. Aces, twos and threes can indicate a situation in the early stages; fours, fives and sixes - in the middle, sevens, eights and nines - situations close to resolution; ten shows the end of a situation or cycle. When you have laid out the spread, pay attention to the number of Major Arcana, suits, numbers or court cards. You may also want to pay attention to repeating colors, symbols, or images that speak to your intuition.
If, for example, you are telling fortunes about relationships and a lot of wands appear in the layout, there are no cups, and there are fours, this may indicate that the overall situation is not rosy - there are problems and possible stagnation. Then, by interpreting each card in its position, you add details.
Cleaning your deck is close to a ritual, but you only clean the deck after fortune telling, and not before. This is a way to symbolically and energetically clear your cards of unwanted external influences and return the deck to a neutral state. You can go through your deck and lay out the cards in a straight position in order, or pass each card over the smoke of smoking sage. Store your cards with your crystal or rose quartz. Leave the deck on the windowsill under the light of the full moon.
Logging
Many tarot readers write down their readings in a journal. For them it is a tool for learning the tarot. By saving information about the layouts, you can then return to them and see how the situation you predicted unfolded in reality. You can see if your prediction was accurate or if you missed specific details.
Another preferred journaling technique is to choose a card of the day (or whatever frequency you prefer) and use the card as inspiration for your essay. The essay is written in a limited time period: try starting with five minutes. You write without paying attention to grammar, punctuation and other such things. Just write about whatever the card inspires you to do. Once you have written, write down what you know about the meaning of the card and combine it with what you wrote.
If you keep a journal, you will be able to notice all your insights, discoveries and insights. Go back to your journal and re-read it from time to time. You may be surprised that you have forgotten some meanings, or you may notice that some nuances that you did not pay attention to have become relevant in the present.
And now, it’s time to look into the artist’s notes, get acquainted with her maps, created by her with magic and care, full of wisdom and visual beauty.
The first maps appeared in China in XII century. Once upon a time, playing cards in Russia was considered not a godly activity and even illegal. But if you don’t get too carried away with cards, don’t play for money, but just entertain yourself by playing cards in good company - why not? If you dream of surprising your friends every time you play cards, learn how to shuffle cards beautifully.
Let's look at some ways to shuffle a deck of cards:
“Push-move.”
Place the entire deck in your right hand, face down (towards your palm). Then, with the thumb of your right hand, push several cards into your left hand. And again, with the thumb of your right hand, push the cards from the bottom of the deck in the left hand (e
If you are left-handed, then initially place the deck on your left palm, and move the cards to your right).Thus, by pushing the cards from above and below, the deck will move from the right hand to the left. In order for the cards to be shuffled better, the process must be repeated from the beginning, again placing the cards face down on the right hand and moving them, pushing them, to the left. Perhaps the first time such shuffling will seem difficult, the cards will fall out and scatter. But if you practice a little, everything will work out. This shuffling looks impressive, plus, the cards do not bend or deteriorate. This method is also suitable for shuffling a deck of tarot cards.
"The card method." Great for shuffling playing cards. The deck needs to be divided in half. Take half the deck in both hands, placing the cards face down (on your palm). The cards need to be mixed as they are lowered onto the table surface. That is, by lifting the ends of the cards facing each other, a card is released from each half of the deck one by one. The connected deck is then leveled. This way the cards bend a little in the middle. Sometimes this shuffle is also called the “pigeon tail”; even professional players use it. At the end of the shuffle, traditionally, the bottom of the deck is pulled out and placed on top. The deck mixes well with this method. It looks beautiful, but over time the cards can deteriorate.
"General mixing." This method will require some free space. You can use a table or lay out the cards directly on the floor. And move them there in a chaotic order. This method is good because several people can participate in it. Thus, shuffling cards becomes fun for the whole company.
Watch the video: how to shuffle a deck of cards beautifully
Learning how to shuffle cards beautifully is not difficult. You just need to practice a little. But then your friends will be surprised at your sleight of hand!