Riffle Shuffle Tutorial - "on hands" riffle shuffle

Learn how to shuffle cards using Riffle shuffle.

This shuffling method is a bit difficult to learn compare to overhand and hindu shuffle. But for performance, this riffle shuffle looking more elegant compare to those two methods of shuffling, especially with the cascade or waterfall technique as finishing method.

"On hands Riffle shuffle" title is given to differ the method with table riffle shuffle, a riffle shuffle that utilized table or flat surface to help riffle shuffle movements.

This method of shuffling require the cards to be bend and riffle, and that could damage the cards. So it would be wise if you not use this technique to rare cards, or to cards that easily damage if you bend it. Plastic cards is a good choice for this cards shuffle method.

Riffle Shuffle - Video Tutorial

Riffle Shuffle Tutorial - Step by step instruction with picture illustration

Riffle Shuffle - Holding Position:

• Holding position. See Picture 1.1 - 1.2.
  This holding position is the same for both hands, three fingers (pinkie, ring finger and middle finger) placed on the bottom to perform as a good grip to support the cards. Index finger could be placed curl on the back of the cards (helping to bend the cards) or just placed strech out as seen in picture 1.2. Thumb placed on top of "short side" of the deck, thumb will be used to bend and riffle the cards.

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• Both hands position See picture 1.3.
  Picture 1.3 shows both hands position that each hand hold half of the deck and in a position that just about to riffle the cards into each other.

Riffle Shuffle - Movements:

• Step 1.
  Start the riffle shuffle by holding the deck with your right hands. The three fingers at the bottom must hold the cards a bit tight, so the cards would not spatter arround at the "cards riffle". See picture 2.1
• Step 2.
  Use your thumb to bend the cards to the right. See picture 2.2
• Step 3.
  Move your thumb "gradually" to the right to start riffle about half of the deck to your left hand. See picture 2.3

• Step 4.
  After about half of the deck received by your left hands, positioned your left hand to hold the cards the same ways as your right hand. And then positioned both half of the deck to face each other in a "close distance". See picture 2.4
• Step 5.
  Start to riffle the cards into each other in a way and distance that made the cards interweaved into each other. See picture 2.5 - 2.6.
• Step 6.
  Finish the shuffle, either by 1.push the cards from both side or 2.using cascade technique. And then square the deck.
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Riffle Shuffle - 1st Finishing Method - Push from both side:

• After you finish riffling the cards into each other, just push the cards from both side and make it into one pile and then square the deck. See picture 3.1 - 3.2

Riffle Shuffle - 2nd Finishing Method - Cascade (waterfall) technique:

This technique usually called as cascade or waterfall or bridge technique, the interweaved cards will be bend into a "bridge" figure and then when the "bend's tension" release a bit, the cards will be fall and creating a "waterfall" image.

• Step 1.
  Put Both thumb on top of interweaved cards, place it in the middle of interweaved cards. See picture 4.1
• Step 2.
  While both thumb hold the interweaved cards from above, hold and push the cards from both direction into a "curve bridge" figure. See picture 4.2.
• Step 3.
  While both thumb still hold the cards from the top, release the tension by releasing the bottom grip and moving both hands a bit to the left and right. The cards will start to fall, creating a "waterfall" image. See picture 4.3