How to Do the Triple Pivot Cut Card Flourishes

The triple pivot cut (or 3-way sing cut) isn't a card trick, but a flourish. Although it may be used by magicians performing card tricks, it's real purpose is to demonstrate a player's expertise with playing cards, impressing or intimidating other players. It is a real cut of the cards, not a false cut.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Deck of playing cards

1. Hold the deck face down with your right thumb on one short side and your right middle finger on the other short side. Keep both your thumb and finger near the outside corner of the deck and your thumb nearer your body.

2. Use the index finger of your left hand against the top inside corner of the deck to peel away a third of the cards. Pivot the cards away from you so they are being held by the middle finger of your left hand and the index finger of your right hand.

3. Drop the top third of the cards into your left hand.

4. Peel away another third of the deck with the thumb of your left hand. Pivot the cards toward you so they're being held by the thumbs of both hands.

5. Let the middle third of the cards drop on top of the top third in your left hand.

6. Set the bottom third of the cards on top of the cards in your left hand and square the deck.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice the triple pivot cut until it looks effortless. To really impress your audience, do another triple pivot cut from your left hand.
• You can also use the back of your index finger and the heel of your thumb to peel cards away from the deck. This method lets the cards rest in your left hand during the cut and you won't have to drop them into your hand afterward.
• Instead of dropping the bottom third of the deck into your left hand, you can pull the cards one at a time into your left hand.