The Poker Chip Shuffle

By Eugene Cummins - 1st December 2004

If you've played poker or watched it on TV then you'll have seen the chip shuffle (also known as the riffle) performed many times. How's it done I hear you ask? Well here goes with my explanation.....

Get two stacks of 3 or 4 chips. It's easier if you use two colours so you can tell if they mix together properly. Put your thumb and index finger on one side and your middle and ring finger on the other side. Then push together with all four fingers until you feel the tension. Once you feel the tension you lift up one side of the chips with the tip of the index finger. When the first chip is in place the rest of the chips will automatically slot together.

Video Demo:

For a short video clip demonstrating this chip shuffle please click here: Chip Shuffle (MPEG - 1.5mb)

Some more points:

* I prefer to use the index finger to lift the chips. Other people prefer the middle or little finger. I would suggest you experiment and see what works best for you.

* You might like to start with 3 chips in each pile and once you can do this then go on do 4 chips and even more.

* The surface you do it on will make a big difference. To start with you should try and do the shuffle on a soft, bouncy surface such as a pillow.

* Oh and just keep practising! It might take a while at first but you'll get the feel for it soon enough.