First time posting as I take a break from a Genesis lesson.
A couple of weeks a ago I went to a friends house to play some poker. This is the first time that I have played poker in 5 years. When it was my turn to deal I was so embarrassed that I couldn't do a simple Riffle Shuffle.
From there I went on YouTube determined to learn how to do a Riffle Shuffle and that is when I discovered the wonderful world of Cardistry. I've seen videos before of people doing flourishes however I had no clue it has become has big as it has.
Instantly I was hooked. I researched and watched as much as videos as I could on this art form and I have to say it has been a long time since I have been so passionate and inspired by anything on this level.
Last Saturday I decided to make my jump into Cardistry. I ordered a few decks of cards, the Genesis V1, and the Xtreme Beginners lessons and I have been practicing ever since. In fact it has been next to impossible for me to put down a deck of cards for any length of time.
I can tell I'm already in trouble. Within a weeks time I already have 14 decks of cards and I have 3 more decks on the way. Which is cool because I have been wanted to find something that clicks with me to collect and I think I may have found just that.
Thankfully I'm doing the Riffle Shuffle like a boss now, I can do the Charlier cut with my eyes closed, and I'm pretty decent with the Scissors Cut. The two things that are giving me the most trouble is the Thumb Cut and doing these moves in my dominate right hand but I'm determined to get this right.
I can't tell you how hard it is to restrain myself from jumping right into the fancy flourishes but it's quit clear from my research that it is within my best interest to stick with the basics first. Learning how to crawl before I can walk so to speak.
In the end I just want to take this moment and say thank you to this community that makes up this amazing art form for making me feel alive once again.
Reading this made my day! Seriously that's SO awesome to hear. I can totally relate to being bit by the cardistry bug. I remember going through this exact same routine of immersing myself within the art and staying home on the weekends being a nerd. I loved every moment of it then and I love every moment of it still - after 13 years!
I know the riffle shuffle is a tough cookie so congrats on cracking it! Show this to your spectators - seriously. It may not seem like it but it's one of the more impressive things they see when you give them a behind the scenes view how of each and every card is coalescing together (preface it by asking if they've seen people do a table shuffle like in the casinos and if they can do it. Or any other form of shuffling. Some people will be able to but most won't, either way, this helps set some perspective of the difficulty involved. Then blow them away with the one handed version Seriously kills.)
Another simple presentation I think is fun is with the Charlier Cut. Ask them to follow along and try learning it, very quickly they'll say their thumbs are too small. For kicks, have them hold your thumb while you do the cut WITHOUT using your thumb. How? Just do it like the first part of the riffle shuffle. Start in mechanics grip and use your index finger to have the top half of the deck slide off then complete the cut with your index finger. It's really funny and gets a laugh. At the very least, it establishes that even the basics are extremely difficult and that obstacles shouldn't stop you. Oh.... give them a mini deck to play with instead for the surefire laugh.
Even the basics are fun and can be turned into a miniature routine. It's nice to be able to do complex structures and crazy two handed cuts but it's not at all necessary to have fun showcasing it to people. Keep that in mind as you're learning each basic move, they're all powerful tools at your disposal if you use them right.
That said, if you need any help with a move, shoot me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Keep rocking and stay inspired!
