Sleights presents the . . . One Hand Card Shuffle

The deck is gripped comfortably in the left hand with 3rd, 4th and 5th fingers on the right side of the deck. The first finger goes under the deck and pushes the deck up so it can be gripped with the thumb and finger tips. Notice the placement of the thumb, first finger, second and third fingers and the pinky supporting the deck at their tips.

This row of pictures shows the deck being split by the index finger and the top portion being moved off to the right. The top portion is cradled by the 2nd, 3rd and pinky fingers as it slides along the nail of the index finger. The 2nd, 3rd and pinky fingers continue to extend until the left edge of the top section slides down the side of the index finger until is level with the bottom.

This row of pictures shows the splitting of the deck with the hand optionally turned to the right. Notice how the index finger upon splitting the deck "buckles" the top card(s) of the lower section. Releasing pressure with the thumb enables the buckled card(s) to push the top packet away from the bottom.

Having slid to the same plane as the lower section, the top section is cradled at the proper angle to be weaved into the lower portion. First, the pinky must move to the lower right side of the deck. Pivoting the packet on the index finger the other three fingers position the corner for weaving. Then, the middle finger must move from the right side to the top side of its angled portion of the split deck. This finger will push the deck into the lower section.

This picture shows the middle finger having pushed (interlaced or weaved) its original top section (right) into the bottom (left). This picture shows two simultaneous movements: the index finger pulls away from its pivot position and the thumb slightly straightens its (left) section in alignment with the right section. This picture shows the "weave" of interlaced cards, similar to a "faro" shuffle. With practice a perfect faro shuffle can be achieved just as if you had done it with both hands.

Instead of just pushing the packs together, you can add this flourish of springing the weaved cards together. The index and middle finger must position themselves in a strong grip on the ends of the weaved packets. The hand squeezes and thus bends the cards imparting a "spring" in the cards which can be gradually released one by one. As the grip continues to be released, cards will spring together from the top down in a graceful flourish.

The thumb on the left and the 3rd and 4th fingers on the right will keep the deck in alignment. This picture shows the end of the flourish with the cards in a fairly assembled order. The thumb and middle finger can hold the deck as the index finger smooths the top edge and the 3rd and 4th fingers smooth out the side.