talkmagic.co.uk

Hi there,
I'm new to magic and have been stuck for a month using the RRTCM book and also the RRTCM DVDs by R.Paul Wilson. I use ordinary Bicycle Rider Back playing cards.

My problem is that whenever I do an overhand shuffle and move my right hand up after gripping a packet with my left thumb, the movement pulls up some of the cards I have just dealt. This leaves the shuffled cards in my left hand very messy and also makes doing an in-jog and throw on top near impossible.

Does anyone have any hints they can throw my way?

Cheers,
Pedro

That happens to me sometimes. It's usually just an effect of dealing the cards too fast. Try slowing it down a little bit and you should get cleaner shuffles. Once you're good at a slow shuffle, speed it up gradually until you can make fast, neat overhand shuffles.

Study the position of your index and pinky. RRTCM gives a very good indication on where to place them. That will help in keeping the packets in place. However, it helps to conceal any injog if the pack in your receiving hand isn't perfectly squared.

Why don't you drop by Introductions to introduce yourself. You'll get more answers if you do that.

I think it's just down to practice.
I have exactly the same problem when I switch hands and do an overhand shuffle. No problem the normal way, and as far as I can work out it's just a knack type thing.

Perhaps you are lowering your right hand too much when you peel with your left. This could cause some finger sticking. You might also consider not holding the right hand packet perfectly vertically, but instead angle it a bit, or let the cards in the left hand be a bit more flat in the hand instead of on edge. It is a bit of a knack, but patient experimentation will eventually pay off.

Every one has different hands. What works best for one will not work at all for another. So, it is up to you to massage the methods a wee bit to make it work for yourself. This is true of almost ANY sleight.

Thanks very much for your suggestions.