Riffle

A riffle shuffle is a technique used to mix a deck of cards in poker by interleaving two halves of the deck. To perform a riffle shuffle, the dealer splits the deck into two roughly equal halves, holds each half in one hand, and then releases the cards alternately, creating a distinctive “riffle” sound. This method is favored in many professional settings due to its effectiveness in randomizing the order of the deck.

The riffle shuffle is often followed by a series of other shuffles, such as the overhand shuffle and the cut, to further ensure randomness. For home game dealers, mastering the riffle shuffle is essential for building trust among players, as it demonstrates proficiency and helps eliminate suspicions of deck manipulation.

The riffle shuffle is not only about mixing the cards but also about doing so visibly and audibly, which adds to the perception of fairness. In a formal setting, a dealer might riffle shuffle three or more times, combined with a cut, to ensure that no residual order from the previous deck remains. This technique, when done correctly, provides an optimal balance between speed, randomness, and elegance.