How to Deal Cards with Style

Learning how to deal cards in style is easy to learn but can be difficult to master. 

Learning how to deal cards with style

The main trick to getting better at dealing cards is practice. Becoming comfortable with the cards in your hand and training hand-eye coordination is the foundation for any shuffling and dealing skills. It is important to be confident when dealing cards, and the less you appear to be paying attention to the deal, the more stylish it is. 

Shuffle the cards

First, shuffle the cards in your preferred style. When looking to learn how to deal cards, it is important to not forget about shuffling. Part of the dealer’s task is shuffling the cards, so it is also important to develop and practise a shuffling technique. Ideally, the cards should be shuffled four times, and the more smoothly and quickly it can be done, the better.

Holding the deck

After shuffling, you will want to have a firm grip on the deck with your thumb resting on the top. Use your thumb to push the top card into your other hand, which will allow you to pass a single card to each player in turn.

Dealing the cards

Dealing should always be done clockwise, with the first player on the dealer’s left receiving the first card. If the dealer is playing, they should receive their card last. Each player receives one card at a time, with the deck being placed back on the table after all players have received their allotted cards.

The most impressive way of dealing cards

There are a variety of impressive ways of dealing cards. What is most impressive comes down to personal preference. We have listed some dealing methods that add a little more style to the usual handing out of cards.

Table Spread

The table spread technique requires you to hold the deck in one hand and use the other hand to spread the cards across the table neatly and stylishly. Spread them out in the shape of a fan similar to the shape of a horseshoe. This is a last-minute flourish you can execute before dealing but after shuffling.

One-Handed Fan

The one-handed fan is another classic card flourish. Hold the deck in one hand and use your fingers to create a spread of cards. It takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, it adds a stylish element to your card handling. It is similar to the table spread but is instead done from your hand rather than on the table.

Card throwing

Card throwing is a technique that requires a lot of skill and practice. Instead of placing the cards in front of a player, the dealer can lightly throw them in position. Practised dealers can be accurate and quick with this technique, making each thrown card land exactly in the right place. Card throwing looks great at larger tables where it actually ends up being more convenient for the initiated.

Why is dealing cards such an art form?

Many people take casino games seriously, and a certain pride can come with good card skills on the gaming tables. Croupiers dealing cards in poker and other card games have developed various techniques to show off their skills and add some flair to the table in between rounds. These tricks are a great way to impress and provide entertainment while the players wait for their hands to be dealt. A croupier that becomes part of the spectacle tends to generate more buzz and excitement for the table, which can also be great fun for the players involved.