talkmagic.co.uk

I tend to use a riffle shuffle occasionally because it is quite easy to retain a card at the top or send it to the bottom. It is also a good distraction as has been said. I also find that with poker becoming more popular on the TV, people now tend to associate the riffle shuffle with a thorough mixing of the cards (the riffle shuffle is used during poker tournaments on the TV). So I will use the riffle shuffle more often when I know that I have a difficult audience, as it tends to convince them that the cards are well mixed. The riffle shuffle is a handy skill to have in a magician's armoury, but if over-used it can lose its "shine" and effectiveness (ie if you consistantly use the riffle shuffle in the same performance but still pick out the right card [or complete the effect] then the audience will begin to doubt that the shuffle is mixing the cards, and this can detract from the effectiveness of the act]). An obvious point I know, but a very true one!

I use the riffle, overhhand and hindu in no particular order...Marc Spelmann has a cracking false riffle he showed us at a lecture, and Oz Pearlman does some amazing stuff as well with a riffle and pivot cut that looks so convincing.

i tend not to use it... only because im not that good at it and i can't consitenly do the "water fall" after wards

does any one have any tips that might help me get better at this shuffle and the waterfall?.... besides practice

There isn't really to many other tips than the usual practise slowly at the start. Experiment with different grips, even shifting the position of your hands a couple of millimeters can make a difference.

Like so many other sleights it takes a 'knack' to get it, but it will come with patience. Sorry if I sound patronising.

If you still can't do it right after many hours of practise, perhaps you could describe exactly what your having problems with in more detail.