American shuffling is a common method of shuffling cards, often used in poker and magic tricks. It sounds challenging, but with a little practice it becomes pretty easy.
Steps
Step 1. Divide the deck of cards roughly in half and keep the two halves in each hand
Step 2. Do this with both hands:
put your thumb on the edge of the cards you want to mix with the other half. Place the ring finger and middle finger at the opposite end of the deck, curved around the edge in order to hold the cards in place. You can put your little finger wherever you want, but most people place it on the side of the cards so that it faces their torso. Place the folded index fingers on the top edge, in the center of the cards.
Step 3. Using your index finger, push down near the center of the cards and gently fold up the edge where your thumbs are
To start, place both hands on a flat surface with your thumbs facing each other.
Step 4. Slowly pull your thumbs back as you release the deck
By doing this at the same time with both hands, the cards will fall on each other randomly. You should now have half of each pile mixed with the other.
Step 5. Trying to hold the same position with your hands and at the same time hold the shuffled deck in half, place your thumbs over the cards that have been shuffled, pushing down with your fingertips
Move the index finger to where the ring finger and middle finger are; all three should be folded over the edge of the deck. With your fingers around the edge, press inwards and downwards while keeping your thumbs firmly in place. This should fold the cards into an arc.
Step 6. Without taking your thumbs away from the deck, slowly release your fingers bent at the edge
The cards should be back in place and you have completed the deck. Reassemble the deck and repeat the shuffle or deal cards when you think you have shuffled enough.
Advice
- Let the last card of the upper half fall first and the first card of the lower half fall last to prevent the first and last card of the deck from remaining unchanged.
- If you get really good at American shuffling you can decide to try the "out shuffle": place the top half of the deck in your right hand and the bottom half in your left hand, then interleave the two sides so that the individual cards fit together. insert into the deck one after the other.
- Try not to use a deck that is too stiff, as this is much more difficult to mix.
