THE 'IN AIR' RIFFLE SHUFFLE AND CASCADE (or waterfall shuffle)

This shuffle is performed in the hands rather than on the table and adds a nice flourish to your tricks.

METHOD

1. Hold the deck in the modified biddle grip shown. (fig 5.11)
The cards are vertical and the outer phalanxes of the middle, ring and little fingers protrude for most of their length beyond the edge of the face card.
The thumb is at a particularly narrow angle to the deck. It is extremely important that they are not perpendicular as, if they are, you will have very limited control of the riffle. (fig 5.12)

2. Riffle about half the cards off your thumb, supporting them by gripping the bottom end of the deck with your fingertips. (fig 5.13)

3. Lower the top end of the cards that have been riffled off to the left hand’s fingertips and take them into a grip which mirrors that of the right hand. (fig 5.14)
The fingertips now wrap comfortably around the bottom of the cards and can grip them securely against the index finger.

4. Bring the two packets into a horizontal 'V' shape with the two outer corners almost touching. (fig 5.15)

5. With the thumbs, still at a narrow angle to the deck, raise the outer corners and bring the two packets together a little so that the cards will overlap when released. (fig 5.16)

6. Riffle the cards off with the thumbs, allowing the packets to weave together. The cards are supported by the fingertips, which securely grip at opposite ends. (fig 5.17)

7. Push the two packets together so that they overlap for about an inch. (fig 5.18)

8. You now carry out the cascade (or waterfall). Begin by bending the cards into an arch, the thumbs positioned at the top. (fig 5.19)

9. Lower the fingertips as shown (fig 5.20)
You should still be able to keep the cards in an arch without their support by applying inward pressure from your hands.

10. Release a little of this pressure on the cards, allowing them to 'cascade' into your fingers below. (fig 5.21)

11. Square the cards.

COMMENTS

* The shuffle should be a fluid, continuous action. You should not pause at any point.