How to do the chip-stacking trick?

Ok, I know that by asking this, I am giving myself away as an online-only player, but.... can anyone explain in words how to do the chip stacking trick where you take two stacks and put them into on with one hand? I'm sure that everyone here knows what I'm talking about.

My Wife and I were watching that Poker Superstars invitational thing on Fox Sports on the weekend, and she asked me how they do that. I had no idea, so we got out my poker chips and started trying to do it, and we're nowhere even close :redface: . I've tried watching when they do it, but it's very quick, and usually at a bad angle, so I can't see what they're doing. Now it's turned into a sort of fun competition between us to figure it out...

If anyone can explain how to do it in words, or point me to a place that explains it, it would be great. Thanks in advance...

Comments

  • Copied from:http://www.21ace.com/poker_chip_tricks_shuffle.html

    Shuffling chips can be frustrating at first but in time it becomes easy. Starting out, it is easier to learn on a soft surface like a pillow or a couch. When I first started trying the trick I only used 4 or 5 chips on each side. Being right handed, I position my fingers such that the index finger and the middle finger are on the left stack while the ring finger and the pinky are on the right stack. The thumb starts out on the left side of the right stack, lifting it slightly as the stacks are pushed together. Once the lift has been initiated, the thumb slides over to the right side of the right stack to help push the two stacks together. Note that on a soft surface the thumb can stay on the right side of the right stack the entire time because the initial lift can occur by simply pushing the two stacks together.

    Once the first few chips fall into place on the bottom, the rest of the chips seem to follow easier as your hand moves up the pile.

    One fun exercise is to start with 2 stacks of different color chips. If you shuffle them consistently you can notice certain patterns. I always put the right stack on top of the left stack such that the bottom left chip is at the bottom of the combined stack while the top right chip is at the top of the combined stack. Once I shuffle the chips together I take the top half and put them on the right, leaving the bottom stack on the left. The shuffle is repeated until the chips are back to the same colors. If I have eight chips in each stack then I get all the same color chips back in the same stacks after 4 shuffles. The list below shows the number of shuffles necessary for stacks of other sizes.
    8==>4
    7==>12
    6==>10
    5==>6
    4==>3
    3==>4
    2==>2
    1==>1

    Another interesting exercise is to follow the same guidelines until the chips are combined into one stack. At that point the top half can be put in the left pile while the bottom half stay in the right pile. When the exercise is done in this way the list showing the necessary shuffles for different size stacks is as follows:
    8==>4
    7==>4
    6==>6
    5==>5
    4==>3
    3==>3
    2==>2
    1==>1

    The main thing to remember is that the more you practice shuffling the chips the easier it gets. When I first started with 4 or 5 on each side I thought that was difficult. Now I can do 8 on each side and it keeps getting easier.


    Good luck - Practice Practice Practice
  • I started with 2 stacks of 3.
    Put them side by side.
    Put your 4 outside fingers on each of the 4 corners.
    Put your middle finger between the 2 stacks.
    Lift the 2 stacks with your middle finger.
    Bring the 2 stacks together.

    Once you get the hand with 6 chips, move up.
  • That's great. Thanks for the info. I'll try it tonight!
  • Not that I'm trying to be a dick (although I'm told it comes naturally), but wouldn't it be more prudent to practice your poker skills. I know the shuffling trick looks cool and all, but honestly, when did anyone fold because they saw you donig chip tricks?
  • Acctually, depending on the level of competition at the table, looking very comfortable with your chips can give you a psychological edge.
  • Plus shuffling chips wards off major boredom... another psychological advantage.
  • Okay, granted. But I've always been able to find enough to occupy my time at the table just following the play of the hands, scrutinizing players, etc. Chip stacking has always struck me as an affectation. But, to each their own.
  • Oh, and Big J? I've always found that the best way to appear comfortable with your chips is to be frequently stacking more of them. Preferably from other people's stacks . . .
  • Gotta do something with the half a stack of chips that doesn't fit into my pyramid yet :)
  • Oh, and Big J? I've always found that the best way to appear comfortable with your chips is to be frequently stacking more of them. Preferably from other people's stacks . . .

    Yeah but everytime I reach over the table to stack other players chips they start getting all mad and security escorts me out.
  • I like shuffling one handed, but off the table though. Just holding the chips in certain positions in mid air and shuffling one handed. Got about 3 different moves down now. lol Something to impress the tourists with maybe. lol
  • Just practice. . . 3 days ago i could barely do stacks of 4. . . with just some practicing while playing online, or reading, i can now do stacks of 8 pretty easily.
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