Different Types of Flourishes

Cardistry is different from magic. Cardists do not use visual manipulation to stun the audience; however, they use a non-manipulative method to display their creativity and performance of card tricks that look like art. The first known cardistry move is known as the 'sybil cut'. The Sybil Cut was created in 1992 and was what marked the movement of cardistry, itself. Cardistry is still at a young age, do to the fact it was only founded in 1992, a majority of tricks are learned through YouTube.

The Sybil Cut being demonstrated by the Pug

Cardistry is divided into two categories: cutting and shuffling. Cutting involves the act of dividing the deck into several different blocks, while performing some neat tricks in between. The Sybil Cut is an example of cutting decks. Shuffling, on the other hand, focuses on bending the cards and creating creative movements and shapes.

The Farro Shuffle

The Bridge 

The bridge is the simplest trick that a majority of people with a deck knows how to do; however, they can not do it 'perfectly'. The bridge is a part of the shuffling category and in order to achieve the "perfect" bridge, it all starts with the "farro shuffle". The Farro Shuffle is when all or a majority of the cards are stacked perfectly.

One-Handed Cut or Kryptonite 

Cuts can be performed with two hands or one hand. The picture above depicts a one hand cut, known as "kryptonite". Quite a few people are intimidated by one-handed cuts because of the common misconception that one needs to require large hands to perform these cuts. However, I can do it with my little pug hands and so can you too!

Card spin

Other than cuts and shuffles, there are cardistry moves that can only be performed with one or two cards. The card spin is a common example of this. The card spin is simply one card spinning on a finger. 

Juggling the Deck

With a new generation of cardists, there has been an increase in difficulty of the tricks. The tricks they perform are becoming more and more complex than some of the first or original cardistry moves. These new moves are a blend of cuts and shuffling and sometimes juggling decks. However, don't get intimidated by these complex moves because learning cardistry is like skateboarding; there will always be new and cooler moves, but the foundations of the moves will always remain the same.