How to Cut a Deck of Cards

Cutting a deck of cards is one of the simplest and most visually pleasing card tricks to learn. If you are planning to learn any tricks, this is the first step. Also, if you enjoy playing cards, cutting the deck is a skill you must know.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Count every card to make sure you are dealing with a full deck. A traditional deck of cards will have 52 cards. It will have one card of each suit for numbers two through 10 and with a jack, queen, king and ace. If you do not have all these cards, find a new deck.

2. Separate your cards into two smaller piles. They do not have to be exactly half the deck but should be as close as you can get by using your eyes to judge. It does not matter what order the cards are in to begin with.

3. Line the cards up head to head. This means you butt the short side of each deck against one another. You will want enough space to squeeze in a finger, but not much beyond that. It is important to have these decks tightly pushed together.

4. Rest a palm on the opposite end of each deck of cards and apply significant pressure. Take each thumb and hook it under the bottom of each deck. Using the thumb, pull back both decks and slide them closer together.

5. Let both thumbs release the cards one at a time, back and forth so the two decks overlap once they have hit the table. Ideally, this will shuffle the cards into a new order once you push the decks together. Repeat this step a few times to ensure all the cards are in a random order.

Tips & Warnings

• Cutting cards on a table is the most common way you cut cards. You can also cut cards in your own hand (sometimes referred to as a pivot cut) or do a drop cut, which is flourishing move mostly used by magicians.
• A triple card cut doesn't actually change the order of the playing cards and is often used when a deck has been pre-arranged for a sure win.