Cutting the Deck

Earlier this year I was wondering how to cut a deck of cards with one hand. So, Mom and I looked it up to find out how. It looked like it would be hard, but now after I have practiced, it is easy.

The first step is to take the deck of cards in between your pinky and your pointer finger. Your pointer finger holds the deck on one short end, while your pinky holds it on the other short end. 

Then you place your thumb about in the middle of the long side of the deck. Then you let half of the deck drop into the palm of your hand while the other half is held in the air between your middle, ring, and thumb fingers. 

Using your pointer finger, you push the lower half of the deck up. Continue to push the half deck up with your pointer finger until it’s vertically standing on its side. 

Once the lower half clears the upper half, allow the upper half to simply fall into your palm. 

At this point, use your thumb to release the original lower half onto the upper half which has now fallen to the bottom. 

The top and bottom halves of the deck have exchanged positions, and the deck will be in the position where it was to begin with, ready for more.

The first time I saw this trick was on a show called The Virginian. The Virginian is a western television show from the 1960’s set in Wyoming during the late 1800’s. Ryker, the sheriff, performed this stunt while playing cards with his friends. I thought that it was impressive. Now I can do it too, and it is fun. There are other tricks that I would like to learn like springing the deck, and a ribbon spread and flip. First, I would like to perfect this cut.

Cards are fun. You can do lots of things with a simple deck of 52 cards. Not only can you play games like hearts, but you can do magic tricks or learn flourishes like cutting the deck.

~Isaac