A compilation of the basics of cardistry. This will get you familiar with grips and simple foundation moves.
8 moves · in order
In cardistry, "grips" refer to the specific, standardized ways of holding and balancing a deck of playing cards in your hand. They act as the foundational starting positions for virtually all flourishes, cuts, fans, and aerials. The way you hold the cards determines your control and the move you can transition into.
A dribble is a move where cards are released one by one from one hand into the other, creating a smooth falling stream of cards.
Originally, the Charlier Cut was developed as a secret maneuver for controlling cards (known as the Charlier Pass). Today, it is primarily performed as a visual display of skill (a flourish) or used to openly control cards.
The Scissor Cut is a fundamental one-handed cut in which the deck is divided into two packets and opened outward like a pair of scissors. The move is a building block for many classic two-handed packet cuts like Squeeze by Daren Yeow or Barolo 2 by Nikolaj Pedersen.
The Revolution Cut is a one-handed cut in which a packet is lifted, rotated around the lower packet, and closed back into the hand, creating a clean revolving motion.
A move where a card or packet spins around one of its corners using finger pressure.
A shuffle where two packets are held separately and their inner corners are released so the cards interlace together, usually followed by pushing or bridging the packets into one deck.
A precise shuffle where two equal packets are woven together card-for-card, creating a perfectly interlaced deck. In cardistry, faro is often used as a technique for setting up or enabling moves, especially displays, weaves, and packet-based sequences.
