Basic Card Grips

How you hold the cards says a lot before you do anything. A relaxed, confident grip looks natural, and nearly every sleight starts from one of these two positions.

The dealing grip

This is home base, the way you’ll hold the deck most of the time.

1. Rest the deck face down in your left hand (if you’re right-handed).
2. Your thumb lies across the top of the deck, along the left side.
3. Your index finger curls around the front (outer) end.
4. Your other three fingers wrap along the right side.

The deck should feel secure without being squeezed. Your thumb should be free to push cards off the top for dealing.

The end grip

Sometimes called the Biddle grip, this is how your right hand holds the deck from above.

1. Bring your right hand over the deck.
2. Your thumb rests on the inner end (nearest you).
3. Your fingers rest on the outer end (farthest from you).
4. Your palm stays above the deck without touching it.

From here, the right hand can lift, square, and transfer cards, and it covers the top of the deck naturally.