How to Retain the Bottom Card in a Card Trick

The secret to retaining the bottom card in a card trick is quite simple. There are two basic types of shuffling widely used: riffle and overhand. With both types, the tricks to retaining the card are similar and easy to learn.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Riffle Shuffle

1. Separate the deck into two parts, one in each hand. Make sure you know which hand holds the original bottom card.

2. Place the cards in position near the table surface to riffle shuffle. As you begin, make sure the hand with the original bottom card starts dropping first.

3. Drop all the remaining cards together and mix them. The new deck will have the same bottom card as before.

Overhand Shuffle

4. Hold the deck in one hand on top (usually your left hand). As you hold the deck, secretly grip the bottom card with the middle of your fingers and the heel of your thumb.

5. Pull a section of cards out of the deck, using your secret grip to keep the last card in place. You will likely hold onto a few other bottom cards as well.

6. Drop the pulled section on top of the cards in your hand. The reshuffled deck will have the same bottom card.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you know which card is on the bottom ahead of time. Advance knowledge of the card is crucial in any card trick.
• Repeating the process multiple times at high speed is also key in both tricks. Do it fast enough and no one should see that the bottom card never really moves.