How to Dribble Playing Cards

The card dribbling technique is similar to the waterfall flourish except that the cards do not descend in a ribbon, rather they free fall into the waiting hand. Dribbling cards is useful for allowing a spectator to choose a card while keeping a trick visually interesting. Below are instructions for the basic dribbling technique and a variation.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Hold the cards in the right hand face down with fingers and thumb framing the edges. This means the thumb is on the inside shorter edge of the deck, the middle, ring and little finger are holding the outside shorter edge and the index finger is bent back at the knuckle resting at the top center of the deck. Hold the right hand approximately 6 inches higher than the left hand.

2. Push down with a slight pressure on the center of the cards using the forefinger. Remember the forefinger is on top of the deck.

3. Open the left hand so that the palm is up and the finger slightly splayed in a receiving position.

4. Run the thumb up the side of the deck as you let the cards fall one at a time from between the fingers and thumb catching them with your left hand. This is dribbling. Both hands stay still, only the thumb moves.

5. Try a variation on the dribbling technique by beginning with the thumb and fingers on the diagonal corners of the deck (think diamond shape rather than rectangle) and repeat Steps 2, 3 and 4 holding the cards this way.

6. Practice both versions of the dribbling technique until your delivery is smooth and soft.

7. Use the technique for card selection by asking a volunteer to say "stop" to choose a card and you apply pressure to the deck to prevent further cards from falling. The top card lying in your left hand is the spectator's card.