A question about shuffling chips.

[OutlawJN]

I've been watchin the WPT on the Travel channel and notice that the players do this shuffling with their chips. The make two stacks and looks as if they pull them up into one stack. What is the exact science behind that. I think it just looks cool and I have tried to do it but the chips seem to go everywhere. Can anyone explain how they do this. I know this is a real newbie question but like I said it just looks so cool.

[Golden Holden]

I have no idea... practice alot I guess!

[Kaymid]

I saw the same thing and have been practicing for the last 3 weeks. I have found that 6 chips work the best for me. I seperate the chips into 2 stacks with my right hand. I place my thumb on the outside of the left stack with my middle, ring, and pinky on the outside of the right stack. The index finger is on the outer (away from you) front close to the middle of the chips.

place pressure towards the middle of the 2 stacks with the thumb and outside fingers.

With light pressure, slide the index finger up while simultaneouly gently raising the two stacks. Allow the pressure to shuffle the chips.

***Special note that I have found***
MUST use clay chips
Dont try this on a smooth surface. Chips will go everywhere.
I found that a velvert card table works the best.

Keep practicing

[BigDukeSix]

To begin with, take just four chips and get them moving as smooth as you can, then build up the number of chips from there.....does this sound like I can do this????? :D

[Poker_Vendetta]

Here's another trick:

1. Take 3 chips and place them between your index and thumb holding it up with the index and thumb holding it right in the middle.

2. Open the chips up just a little, like a millimeter or two. So you could pull the middle chip out if you wanted to.

3. Take your pinky, and slide the middle chip down in a clock-wise motion so it rolls off your thumb and is actually HELD by your stationary thumb, and your pinky which you should have pulled back down to where it basically started.

4. Then slowly (since you just started) twirl the chip which should be suspended in the air, with your ring finger. Twirl it a little more than 180 degrees.

5. Then slide your pinky finger all the way back up so the chip is placed back into the original two chips. Then you push all of the chips back together and you have done a pretty cool, and complex chip trick!

Practice practice practice!

[Guest]

Oh and BTW. I can shuffle chips as well. It's virtually the same as what the guy two posts up said, but I must add. It IS possible to shuffle plastic chips, I have never even seen a clay chip really face-to-face and I can shuffle pretty well. And it IS harder on a flat surface but it's possible, but I don't think it will ever be as good looking as when you shuffle on your bed or some, non-flat surface. I agree with that.

This is my most simple way to put it. I am left handed, and I usually put my pinky and thumb on the left stack (remember I'm lefthanded think about it), with my ring in between and my middle and index on the right stack. I simply lift up with basically the same pressure on each chip, barely using my ring finger then when the chips are in the air if you have done this correctly you just gradually need to remove your fingers and let them fall back down one after another in a shuffle type manner. Shuffling chips is fun, so try and see it that way, practice for about a week and you should be a master!

[Poker_Vendetta]

The post above, about shuffling chips is mine. I just forgot to log in.

[shagsquad2]

There really is no "proper technique" for doing this, it's just something you have to figure out for yourself. If you ever hold poker chips in your hand, for example, you'll often find yourself doing something with them - flipping them over, shuffling them in some strange pattern, or whatever. Riffling your chips is just the same thing. It just takes practice and it'll be second nature.

I'd also recommend starting with six chips at first (clay chips are by far easier to use). Just split them into two equal piles of three chips, right next to each other on a flat surface (a table, perhaps?). Place your hand over the chipswith your thumb in the middle of the two piles, your index and middle finger on the leftmost pile, and your pinky and ring finger on the rightmost pile. If this sounds confusing, it isn't. Just try gripping all the chips at once with your hand. There's really only one comfortable and natural way to do it.

To riffle, just lift from the middle of both piles so that the piles lean against each other. Hopefully, they'll sort themselves into one neat pile that'll come together cleanly. Realistically, you're going to make a horrible tangled mess the first hundred or so times you try this. Just continue practicing and it really will just come to you with time. There is no real "technique," there's just dedication.




Rennard

[shagsquad2]

It's a fantastic way to intimidate people at Low Limit Hold 'Em tables. Sitting down a 3/6 or 4/8 table, most people will be terrified of your large stacks, detached attitude, and continuous chip riffling.

[Poker_Vendetta]

Yes, he is basically correct. The time I tried it I had cheap-butt little skinny plastic chips..I still have cheap plastic chips but they are much thicker, more realistic I suppose. And I have a miniature felt table, so shuffling is very easy. Just screw around with it, as Shaq said.