How to Shuffle and Cut a Deck of Cards One Handed

Shuffling and cutting a deck of cards with one hand is a fairly difficult trick that can be mastered with enough practice. Once mastered, the trick can be used both by itself or to liven up a boring card game. Use the steps below to shuffle and cut a deck of cards one handed.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• deck of cards

Cutting the deck

1. Hold the deck in what is known as the basic grip. Hold the deck vertically between your middle finger and thumb with the faces of the cards toward your palm. Rest the nail of your ring finger on the underside of the deck against the face of the bottom card.

2. Turn your hand so your thumb is on the top edge of the deck. Release the bottom half of the deck with your thumb so it falls onto your index finger. Use your index finger to push up the bottom half of the deck at an angle against the top half.

3. Release the bottom half of the deck with your thumb. Let the top half of the deck rest on the edge of the bottom half. Continue to push the bottom half of the deck up with your index finger, past the edge of the top half of the deck. Let the former top half of the deck fall onto your index finger.

4. Lower the former top half of the deck toward your palm. Reach with your thumb and pull the former bottom half of the deck down on top of the former top half.

5. Push the deck away from your palm with your index finger. Return to the basic grip.

Shuffling the deck

6. Hold the deck in the basic grip. Rest your ring finger next to your middle finger on the edge of the deck and use your little finger to stabilize the bottom of the deck. Keep your index finger behind the deck, resting against the face of the cards.

7. Turn the deck so that your thumb is on top. Slide your index finger under the deck next to your middle finger and pull the bottom half of the deck toward your palm. Release the top half of the deck with your thumb, cradling it with your middle, ring and little fingers.

8. Pinch the bottom half of the deck between your index finger and thumb. Turn your hand so that the face of the bottom half of the deck is facing straight down.

9. Rotate the top half of the deck with your middle, ring, and little fingers until it is resting against the nail of your index finger. Slide your middle finger under the top half of the deck and pinch the top half of the deck between your ring and index fingers. Rotate the two halves around your index finger so one corner of the former top half of the deck rests against the long edge of the former bottom half.

10. Work the two halves of the deck together carefully. Return to the basic grip to shuffle or cut again as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a bridge deck (which is smaller than a poker deck) while learning this trick, then work your way up to a poker deck.
• This trick will take a fair amount of practice to be consistent.