Throwing playing cards is a very interesting skill, whether you want to relive a film noir scene, emulate the comic book character Gambit or simply leave the poker table in style. It takes a lot of practice, but it is possible to learn several techniques to evaluate the one that best suits your skills. In no time you will be able to throw cards like a real dealer! Keep reading!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Like a Frisbee
Step 1. Grab the card correctly
Keep it parallel to the ground and hold it at the edge of the short side, near the corner furthest away from you. Use your middle and index finger to grab the paper or your middle and ring fingers. This trick is sometimes called "Ferguson", named after a famous card player. Other types of sockets are:
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Thurston socket:
insert the short side of the paper between the middle finger and index finger so that it is parallel along its entire length to the fingers themselves. While this is the most common trick, it is not the most accurate for throwing cards.
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Hermann socket:
grab the paper between thumb and middle finger, letting the index finger reach the opposite corner.
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Ricky Jay socket:
place your index finger on a corner and put your thumb on top of the paper. The other three fingers remain on the long and bottom edge of the card itself. The thumb above the card should be exactly opposite the middle finger below.
Step 2. Bring the card towards the inside of the wrist
The upper corner closest to you (opposite to that of the grip) must reach the inside of the wrist, which you must bend to prepare it for the launch. Most of the throwing power comes from the snap of the wrist and not the arm, so it's important to bend it just that way.
Step 3. Snap your wrist forward
Extend it, keeping your arm as straight and parallel to the ground as possible to prevent the card from swaying from side to side, and quickly bring it forward to throw the card.
Step 4. Drop the card
When your fingertips point to the target you want to hit, let go of the paper.
Step 5. Work on your wrist only
The arm should be almost completely immobile during the initial launch phase; in this way the rotation of the card is precise. To practice, keep your arm still and practice throwing with your wrist only.
Once you have learned to accurately throw cards with just the flick of the wrist, you can also add that of the arm to increase speed
Step 6. Practice hitting a target
Lay down a potato or banana to flip the cards to. More experienced pitchers are capable of sticking a card into a potato from far away. Keep practicing until you are capable too.
Method 2 of 3: Like a Baseball
Step 1. For this type of throw, grab the card correctly
This mainly depends on your preferences: you can hold it in a corner, use a Ferguson grip described above or take the paper for the long side between the middle and ring fingers. Try different styles until you find the one that works best for you.
Step 2. Bend your wrist and bring your arm over your shoulder
To start, do not move your arm at all, but perform the basic movement of the Frisbee throw with the only difference that the wrist does not move horizontally but vertically. When you get used to it, bring the card over your head to add more power to the throw. It all depends on the movement of the wrist.
Step 3. Snap your wrist forward
Make a quick, continuous motion, bring your arm over your shoulder, and step forward as you throw in the same style as a baseball player. At the end of the movement, bend your wrist and stretch your middle and ring fingers to release the paper.
Step 4. Keep practicing
Try to move as smoothly as possible and release the card clearly. Fluidity is the key to obtaining the right rotation and allowing the paper to "cut" the air instead of making it float in an uncontrolled way.
Method 3 of 3: With the Thumb
Step 1. Keep the entire deck of cards parallel to the ground
If you want to throw the cards straight from the deck, as cheaters do, place the long side on the palm of your hand while the short side remains perpendicular to the body.
Step 2. Place your thumb on top of the cards
Sometimes it is useful to lick the fingertip to get more grip on the card and slide it off the deck with greater ease.
Step 3. Snap your thumb forward quickly, flipping the card
It will take a bit of practice to get a strong enough movement to give the card speed and power without dragging the underlying ones as well. The thumb should straighten and protrude slightly from the deck by flipping the cards forward rather than down. The wet fingertip helps you move.
Step 4. Perform multiple consecutive throws
Once you've thrown the first card, quickly bring your thumb back, being very careful not to touch the top of the deck, so you can throw the next one like a machine gun. Is very funny!
Advice
- You can use a Styrofoam block for practice. The cards should fit together smoothly.
- All rotation comes from the wrist, do not use your arm except to direct the throw.
- Cards can be thrown both vertically and horizontally.
- Use a brand new deck with straight cards.
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There are several variations for throwing cards; if the above methods fail, try one of these:
- With your index finger on the upper right corner, place your thumb and middle finger on opposite sides of the paper, pressing the center against each other.
- Grab the card between the index and middle fingers of the dominant hand. Slightly fold them at the top and toss the paper.
Warnings
- If you can throw hard enough to drop light objects, stay away from frames or pottery.
- Wear eye protection in case of card throwing battles.
- The paper can be damaged by hitting a hard object such as the edge of a door.
