How to Shuffle Cards

Knowing the proper way to shuffle will see you through card games and tricks galore.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Card Tables
• Chairs
• Playing Cards

1. Separate the deck of playing cards into two roughly even stacks.

2. Hold one stack in each hand, placing your thumb underneath the stack and your next three fingers on top.

3. 

   Position the two stacks at a slight angle and close to each other so that your thumbs are nearly touching.

4. 

   Lift the insides of both stacks with your thumbs while pushing down on the outsides with your fingers.

5. 

   Move your thumbs slowly out from their positions under the stacks, alternately releasing one card at a time. Practice this step with each hand separately. This is the trickiest step.

6. Mix the two stacks in this fashion. Go slowly. Learning how to shuffle takes practice. Once you learn, you'll develop speed quickly.

7. 

   Form a single deck by pushing the shuffled cards into a uniform pile. New decks may be firm and difficult to shuffle. Make them more flexible by gently bending them with your hands. Be careful not to bend or crease individual cards.