The Shuffle Chip Trick

Thinking about introducing Poker to your friends and family this Christmas, then why not impress them by shuffling some chips…

It’s very easy to learn but may take some time to master, so make sure you practice before you teach the relatives on Christmas Day.

Below is a step by step guide to the most popular poker chip trick called ‘The Chip Shuffle’.

1. Start with 6 chips.

Place two stacks of 3 chips side by side. The more experienced you become the more chips you can use but six is a good number to start off with.

It’s also easier for the beginners to use chips with slightly rounded edges (not new clay poker chips) and to start practicing on soft surface (like a sofa or even a pillow).

2. Place fingers on each side of piles.

Place your pinky and ring finger on the right side of the right pile and your thumb and index finger on the left side of the left pile.

Bring the two piles together but don’t push too much otherwise they’ll go all over the place.

3. Squeeze the two piles together and use your middle finger to lift and separate the poker chips.

As you squeeze the two piles together you will feel them start to ‘buckle’ in the middle.

Keep the pressure steady and firm but not too tight. At this point use your middle finger to lift up and separate the chips. As you raise your middle finger you will feel the two piles of chips gliding off both sides of your middle finger.

4. Keep lifting with your middle finger.

As the chips begin to slide together from the bottom, keep lifting them up with your middle finger up to the top of the piles. Remember, you have to squeeze piles together, keep the pressure firm, but not hard.

5. Bring piles together as one and tidy up the stack.

As you reach the top of the stack with your middle finger the chips should all be interlacing together. Keep applying pressure on the side to push both piles into one. Now all you have to do is tidy up the single stack.

6. Divide the stack into two piles and start again… and again... and again…

Now divide the stack into two piles and start it all over again. If you start with two piles of different colour chips, they will go to their original position after you shuffle the chips 4 times. For example, if you start with 3 red and 3 green chips, after the fourth shuffle you will have your original piles of 3 red and 3 green.

It will take some time till the process becomes smooth and easy. After you start to get it with 6 chips, start practicing with 8 and eventually you’ll be shuffling huge stacks of ten or more. The Chip Shuffle trick is a very good stress reliever and this is what you and your family deserves this Christmas.

Merry Christmas,

Ladbrokes Poker Team