Types of Card Shuffles for a Truly Randomized Deck
When it comes to shuffling a deck of cards by hand, there are several methods, each with its own name and variations. The primary objective of card shuffling is to achieve a truly randomized deck for every round of play. To achieve this, players often employ a combination of shuffling techniques.
Apart from randomness, other goals of card shuffling include:
1. Speed: Completing the shuffling process quickly to keep the game moving smoothly.
2. Secrecy: Ensuring that no player gains an unfair advantage by accidentally revealing cards during the shuffle.
3. Entertainment: Watching a skilled dealer or shuffler perform their craft can be highly entertaining.
Let’s explore the different types of card shuffles:
1. The Corgi Shuffle or Washing The Cards
The “washing” technique is commonly used as the initial step to randomize the deck, particularly in casinos and card clubs. This method involves spreading the cards out in a neat pile face down. The dealer then mixes the pile for about seven seconds, ensuring that every card makes contact with the playing surface. Afterward, the cards are gathered and squared up into a proper deck for further shuffling.
This method is also referred to as the “Irish,” “Chemmy,” “Scramble,” “The Beginner Shuffle,” “Smooshing,” or “Schwirsheling” shuffling.
2. The Riffle Shuffle
The Riffle Shuffle, also known as the Dovetail Shuffle, is one of the most popular card shuffling methods used in both casino and home games. It involves “leafing” through the cards and is relatively simple yet effective. When combined with a swing cut and bridge, the Riffle Shuffle can also be visually entertaining.
The skill level of the shuffler affects the outcome of this shuffle. A casino dealer, for example, takes care not to overbend the cards or reveal any information to the players. They also dovetail the back corners of the cards (nearest to the dealer). While a bridge is visually impressive, it is usually avoided in casinos as it can expose card faces. Instead, the dealer pushes the two halves of the riffled deck together quietly, ensuring both randomness and secrecy.
3. The Overhand Shuffle
The Overhand Shuffle involves moving small chunks of cards from the dominant hand to the other hand repeatedly. This method is relatively easy for players and dealers to perform effectively, making it popular in home games.
Care must be taken during this shuffle to avoid revealing the bottom card or any other cards to the players. However, the Overhand Shuffle presents a slightly greater challenge since the deck is manipulated at about a 70-degree angle to the table.
Unfortunately, the Overhand Shuffle is also one of the easiest ways for any dealer, regardless of their skill level, to stack the deck and cheat. Dealers can accomplish this by manipulating the target card to the bottom, top, or a specific position within the deck.
4. The Hindu Shuffle
The Hindu Shuffle, also known as the “Kattar” (meaning “hardcore”), Indian, Kutti, or Kenchi Shuffle, is widely popular in Asia and other regions outside North America. This shuffle shares some similarities with the Overhand Shuffle, with cards moving between hands in a repeated cutting motion. However, the orientation of the cards differs.
5. The Pile “Shuffle”
The Pile Shuffle, although not commonly used in card games, is a time-consuming and flawed method. It involves dealing out the cards into several piles and then gathering them back together. Proponents of pile shuffling argue that it prevents adjacent cards from remaining next to each other. While this is true, observing the order in which the cards are dealt to each pile allows players to predict their position in the shuffled deck. This becomes especially apparent when gathering up the played cards or discarded hands.
6. The Mongean Shuffle
The Mongean Shuffle is a shuffle that involves moving cards from one hand to the other, one card at a time, alternately placing each shuffled card on the top and then the bottom of the deck in the collector hand. This process is repeated: top, bottom, top, bottom. Perfectly restoring the deck to its original order would require 12 Mongean shuffles. However, using this shuffle in a game may lead your poker pals to jokingly call your wife to come pick you up!
7. The Weave and Faro Shuffles
The Weave and Faro Shuffles require cutting the cards into two equal halves, squaring up the cards in both hands, and rubbing the short ends of the two piles together to weave them back into one deck. While this may sound easy, it is quite challenging to execute properly, as demonstrated in the accompanying animated gif.
8. The Mexican Spiral Shuffle
The Mexican Spiral Shuffle was a shuffle popular in Mexico during the late 19th century. However, it is no longer seen in current card games. The shuffle involves moving the top card to the bottom and dealing onto the table until the entire deck has been distributed. Due to its time-consuming nature, it was created as an attempt to thwart gamblers and con men from the United States. Its lengthy process discouraged them from trying to manipulate the outcome.
9. The Casino Dealer Combination
The Casino Dealer Combination involves a sequence of riffle, strip, riffle, strip, and riffle shuffles. A “strip” refers to quickly moving cards from the center of the deck to the top, which is essentially a cut. This combination is frequently used by casino dealers, as mentioned earlier.
Shuffle Tech Options
While manual shuffling methods introduce some integrity concerns, automated shufflers like the Shuffle Tech ST1000 address these issues.
The Shuffle Tech ST1000 offers two settings: Casino Dealer’s Combination and Full Randomization. The latter setting performs a modified sequence of shuffles: 1 riffle, 1 strip, 2 riffles, 1 strip, and 4 riffles. This automated shuffler minimizes the opportunity for dishonest manipulation while ensuring thorough randomization.
If you have any questions or insights about shuffling techniques, please share them in the comments section below.