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I think siege's description on how to do it is almost exactly as the one mentioned in RRTCM and the one I use. The key is to only move your dealing hand. Furthermore, the position of the pinky is important for controlling a card (don't need to say more, do I?). It wasn't until I read RRTCM that I realized the importance of the pinky. What I do when practicing the overhand shuffle is to control a card as mentioned in RRTCM, throwing in some jogs, do different variations and go on for maybe 20 minutes while watching tv without checking the deck. After that you should have perfect control of the card/s, but sometimes you will find the card somewhere else in the deck. It's only practice.

Sorry, sort of semi-hijacking the thread: Daryl mentions the milking shuffle (or milk shuffle). It is described in RRTCM, but not with that name. Anyone knows where that terminology came from? Cheers!

Yeah, I believe my technique is pretty much the standard technique, but the two most important factors are:

1. Angle of entry
2. Receiving hand grip

I've taught quite a lot of people how to shuffle, and once I seem to get them into the mechanics of the shuffle, it comes easy.

Freedom of the pinky is essential.

A friend of mine who is a 'poker host' also utilises his index finger during shuffling to stabilise the cards as they are received, but I've never found that to be an issue.

Then again, he can also do a two-handed weave & waterfall with two decks, so I don't argue with him about his dexterity

This discussion is lost on me. My 85 yr old grand ma' has an excellent overhand shuffle. In fact its rare I come across a spectator who cannot shuffle the cards. I am a bit puzzled why magicians need so long technical explanation for how to shuffle. Not sure what all this talk about the pinkie is about? I though we usually in or out jog cards rather than use the pinkie.

Soren...

Getting a good overhand shuffle technique is almost critical in many further sleights, such as injogs. Also, perfecting the technique allows much more control for manipulating positions of cards etc.

The technique I described has all the bits in the right place to allow future facilitation of a lot of other sleights.

A basic overhand (like your Grannie does ) is great for shuffling. But as a magician, technique and control, plus precision, are all relevant. The fact is, the technique shouldn't be noticed by the spectator, and practice is everything!

ok i got the hang of it. thanks