How to Shuffle Poker Cards
Shuffling poker cards came is basically a way to change the order of the cards in the deck. Early on in the history of poker shuffling cards was an easy feat. As the love of poker grew, shuffling of poker cards start to become more diverse. There are many different style of how to shuffle poker cards. Which one to use is based entirely on the discretion of the dealer. The types of card shuffling techniques even vary depending on what country you are in. The most used card shuffling technique used in the US is deemed as too fancy in Europe. It is best to learn a couple shuffling techniques for poker cards.
The Overhand Shuffle
This is the most common way to shuffle poker cards. It has an easy technique to pick up.
1. Start with the cards that you are going to shuffle in your right hand. Place your thumb on one short side of the deck, your index finger positioned on the long side, and your middle and ring finger on the short side that is opposite your thumb,
2. Move your right hand close to your left one. By applying pressure to the top of the cards with the right thumb, you will move a few cards from the top of the deck to the left hand.
3. Repeat this motion until all the cards are moved to the left hand. Alternate the placing of the cards in the left hand between the top of the pile and the bottom of the pile in the left hand.
The Table Riffle Shuffle
This is a poker card shuffling technique that is seen in many casinos.
1. Place the deck of cards on the table in front of you. You will cut about half of the cards from the deck and place them next to the original pile. The short sides of the cards should be touching.
2. Place your right hand on the right pile with your thumb resting on the left corner of the deck that is touching the other stack. Your index finger will rest in the middle of the top card of the deck. Place you left hand in the same way on the other pile of cards.
3. Bring both thumbs up a little bring the cards that they are on with them. Use some pressure with your index fingers to keep both decks of cards in place.
4. Move the decks of cards close enough together that the ends that you are holding up overlap. Slowly release alternating cards by each thumb until there are no cards left being held by your thumbs.
5. With practice you will be able to even shuffle the cards from both decks together at a fast pace.
Once you have mastered these two basic poker cards shuffling techniques there are many more that you can learn that build on the knowledge that you have. Some of the other shuffling styles out there are air riffle shuffling, the faro shuffle, and the Hindu shuffle. Many people today opt for card shuffling machines. There is no need to use this piece of poker equipment if you put the practice time in for learning how to shuffle poker cards. The best way to practice these techniques is in non-game situations.
