Riffle Stacking
- Thread starter JDENredden
- Start date
No. In fact, Erdnase pretty much dismisses the idea, saying the riffle shuffle is only of limited use in stacking cards. The best resources are Karl Fulves Riffle Shuffle manuscripts, if you can find them on eBay or direct from the man himself. Alternatively, Richard Turner's Science of Shuffling & Stacking DVD is pretty good. There's also some stuff about riffle stacking on Jeff Wessmiller's Weapons of a Card Shark DVD, although opinions are divided on whether he's any good or not. Personally I thought he provided a good introduction to the subject.
Someone thinking about getting into riffle stacking probably already has a decent idea of what is going on behind the scenes, but is looking for sources to make learning it easier. Hate to break it to you, but no matter how many sources you read, what you know already is what you have to do.
The secret to riffle stacking is....
yep, you got it.
PRACTICE
Hours and hours of practice spanning several years. This is no joke.
Yes, you can sit down for a week and practice and film a video, but the chances are you will be releasing a video of your 50th attempt or so (provided you want a decent video).
To get it at performance level, (meaning 99 successes out of 100 attempts) you are going to have to just put in the time.
I will however give you some important tips and practice ideas.
1: Your riffle stacking shuffle needs to look identical to a normal riffle shuffle. This goes without saying, but even the greats, you can still notice a small "delay" in the shuffle when stacking.
2: Spend an enormous amount of time doing one stack number at a time. For example, start with a 4 hand game (3 hand game is quite simple and will be very easy after practicing the 4 hand game). Don't switch back and forth between the number of players too often when practicing. Let your fingers learn the stack thickness.
3: When practicing, you can practice one hand at a time. I would start with the hand that is handling the stack with the control cards (your 4 aces for example), and learn to hold hold back 4 drop 1, then hold back 3 drop another, and so on.
4: When practicing your other hand, try to just warm up a bit first and always try to hold back the same number, w/o having to slow down too much. Then, put your two hands together and do it.
This basic practice should keep you occupied for 6 months are so if you are serious about becoming good at stacking the deck.
The secret to riffle stacking is....
yep, you got it.
PRACTICE
Hours and hours of practice spanning several years. This is no joke.
Yes, you can sit down for a week and practice and film a video, but the chances are you will be releasing a video of your 50th attempt or so (provided you want a decent video).
To get it at performance level, (meaning 99 successes out of 100 attempts) you are going to have to just put in the time.
I will however give you some important tips and practice ideas.
1: Your riffle stacking shuffle needs to look identical to a normal riffle shuffle. This goes without saying, but even the greats, you can still notice a small "delay" in the shuffle when stacking.
2: Spend an enormous amount of time doing one stack number at a time. For example, start with a 4 hand game (3 hand game is quite simple and will be very easy after practicing the 4 hand game). Don't switch back and forth between the number of players too often when practicing. Let your fingers learn the stack thickness.
3: When practicing, you can practice one hand at a time. I would start with the hand that is handling the stack with the control cards (your 4 aces for example), and learn to hold hold back 4 drop 1, then hold back 3 drop another, and so on.
4: When practicing your other hand, try to just warm up a bit first and always try to hold back the same number, w/o having to slow down too much. Then, put your two hands together and do it.
This basic practice should keep you occupied for 6 months are so if you are serious about becoming good at stacking the deck.
The best source is Richard Turner's DVD. I sent Jason England an email about this and he replied saying that he plans a riffle stacking 1 on 1. Not sure if this is true, but I'm just taking his word for it. Anyways, riffle stacking is one of those things that I just started doing. I never got a source for learning it. All you need to riffle stacking is a tabled casino riffle shuffle and lots of dedication and practice.
Also keep in mind that riffle stacking is not something you will get smooth in days, weeks, or in most cases, months. If you want it at a performable level, it will most likely take years.
-Corbin
Also keep in mind that riffle stacking is not something you will get smooth in days, weeks, or in most cases, months. If you want it at a performable level, it will most likely take years.
-Corbin
Your wish is our command. Now available. 
http://www.theory11.com/tricks/riffle-stacking-jason-england.php
http://www.theory11.com/tricks/riffle-stacking-jason-england.php
@ tony chang- Im just being picky but there really isnt any need to bae able to stack 4 cards in todays demonstrations. The game today is hold em', stud, draw,etc. is obsolete.
Hold 'em stil allows for stacking, you just have to plan for putting the cards in the flop, turn, and river.
I know hold em still able to be stacked, but im saying that 4-5 card stacks arent useful anymore because games like stud, etc aren't played very much anymore
Haha, I'm not Mr. Chang. His name on T11 is Liquidsn.
In terms of using your riffle stacking in an actual live game, then yes, stud and draw are a bit obsolete and hold'em is the current game. However, in terms of gambling demonstrations, I still believe performing your riffle stack for a 5 card hand game like draw or stud would be your best bet, as it caters to a wider spread of generations.
That being said, if you are wanting to seriously practice riffle stacking for use in a live game, then your practice is going to involve more than just riffle stacking. You will have to learn how to use the cut and the strip to complete your stack as well. In addition, you will most likely be working with someone, thus not dealing the stacked cards to yourself, so your math will need to be spot on. You will have to learn how to control different amounts with the strip and riffles depending on where your partner is on the table, and if you are dealing the extra cads on the flop, turn, or river.
However, if you are putting in the time to learn riffle stacking, you should learn how to do it for a 5 handed game and controlling a four of a kind. Just because the games are now a bit obsolete, doesn't mean the practice is extremely valuable. Why stop halfway be less capable than others?
I have been practicing riffle stacking for nearly a decade now, and I can tell you that learning how to do a 5 handed game like stud/ draw, has certainly been in my favor in terms of switching my stack to suit a hold'em game.
In terms of using your riffle stacking in an actual live game, then yes, stud and draw are a bit obsolete and hold'em is the current game. However, in terms of gambling demonstrations, I still believe performing your riffle stack for a 5 card hand game like draw or stud would be your best bet, as it caters to a wider spread of generations.
That being said, if you are wanting to seriously practice riffle stacking for use in a live game, then your practice is going to involve more than just riffle stacking. You will have to learn how to use the cut and the strip to complete your stack as well. In addition, you will most likely be working with someone, thus not dealing the stacked cards to yourself, so your math will need to be spot on. You will have to learn how to control different amounts with the strip and riffles depending on where your partner is on the table, and if you are dealing the extra cads on the flop, turn, or river.
However, if you are putting in the time to learn riffle stacking, you should learn how to do it for a 5 handed game and controlling a four of a kind. Just because the games are now a bit obsolete, doesn't mean the practice is extremely valuable. Why stop halfway be less capable than others?
I have been practicing riffle stacking for nearly a decade now, and I can tell you that learning how to do a 5 handed game like stud/ draw, has certainly been in my favor in terms of switching my stack to suit a hold'em game.