The S.W. Erdnase Blog and Forum

The Erdnase Cull Shuffling system is, beyond doubt, one of the sections that is easily overlooked when studying Expert at the Card Table. The reason for this is, in my opinion, that overhand cull shuffling has been disregarded by magicians and replaced by more effective and versatile techniques like the Hofzinser’s spread cull.

The success of the spread cull for conjuring is mainly due to its versatility. It can be used for multiple purposes: it allows you to force cards in a completely fair manner, to control several cards or even half of the deck, etc. A magician can easily justify the action of spreading the cards, but this action will be noticed and is unnatural at the card table. The only occasion that the cheat has to run through the deck is while the deck is being shuffled, this is precisely the best moment to cull the cards.

If you are interested in the spread cull, I recommend you to check the original handling by Hofzinser. There is also a detailed description in Card College 1. Chapter 13 by Giobbi or Hofzinsers Card Tricks by Karl Fulves. Another good explanation is in Scams and Fantasies with Cards by Darwin Ortiz. Check “Ultimate Oil and Water”. For a good visual resource on the spread cull check Roadrunner Cull DVD by Kostya Kimlat and The Cull Father DVD.

Erdnase’s predilection for the overhand shuffle lets us conclude that it was common practice to use the overhand shuffle and for that reason he made it his area of expertise. Surprisingly, tabled shuffle culling techniques are not mentioned in the book but have been extensively developed since 1902, when Expert at the Card Table was published. If you want to look into this the best resource available is the good and old Riffle Shuffle Systems by Ed Marlo. In The Complete Works of Derek Dingle you can also find a method for culling using the Zarrow Shuffle that is certainly worth checking it out.

The extensive (and abusive) use of the spread cull has been the object of some criticism. There is a tendency to use it to cull multiple cards and to create extra right hand finger-motion that is easily noticeable by a spectator sitting just in front. I recommend you to check Michael Vincent’s work on the spread cull.

Back to Erdnase, the overhand cull combined with a way of overcoming the cut and a good bottom deal becomes a terrific weapon in the right hands. Even if the company is fussy the risks are much lower than with other techniques, like palming.

Here go some tips:

• A good tip is to practice with the cards you want to stack face up, this will help you to keep track of what’s going on and that is precisely what Erdnase asked you to do. Since it is impossible to cover all the possible combinations using the formula, a good understanding of the methods will allow you to improvise on the spot.
• Keep the rhythm and get used to talking while practising. Look at your normal overhand shuffle for inspiration.
• Erdnase is not very consistent with the wording. This can create confusion when following the instructions in the book. You should bare in mind that when Erdnase says “In-jog top card” he can mean to in-jog the top card of the left packet (using your thumb and the help of the little finger) or in-jog the card on the right hand packed as you peel it.
• Once you are confident with the handling practice without looking at your hands.
• Remember that during<<the process of any shuffle>>, and during the action of in – out jogging a card, the right hand <<does not at once return to its former position, but gradually works back as the shuffle progresses>>.
• Try to keep your jog smaller every time but without risking losing control. Jogs should no bigger that a quarter of an inch.
• Check the great post by Jeff Wesmiller here once you fully understand Erdnase. (BTW I am not sure how we ended up posting about the same topic!)

And don’t forget to go to the Forum to discuss this topic.

An today… a musical break: Roving Gambler by Frankie Laine

Lyrics

I am a roving gambler, I’ve gambled down in town
Whenever I meet with a deck of cards I lay my money down.
Lay my money down, lay my money down

I had not been in Washington not many more weeks than three
When I fell in love with a pretty little gal, she fell in love with me.
Fell in love with me, fell in love with me

She took me in her parlor, she cooled me with her fan
She whispered low in her mother’s ear, “I love that gambling man.”
Love that gamblin’ man, love that gamblin’ man

“Daughter, oh dear daughter, how can you treat me so?
To leave your dear old mother, and with a gambler go?”
With a gambler go, with a gambler go

I’ve gambled down in Washington; I’ve gambled over in Spain
I’m goin’ down to Georgia to gamble my last game.
Gamble my last game, gamble my last game

“Oh mother, oh dear mother, you know I love you well
But the love I have for this gambling man, no human tongue can tell.”
No human tongue can tell, no human tongue can tell

“I hear that train a-coming, coming ’round the curve
A-whistling and a-blowing straining every nerve.”
Strainin’ every nerve, strainin’ every nerve

“Mother, oh dear mother, I’ll tell you if I can
If you ever see me comin’ back, I’ll be with the gambling man.
Be with the gambling man.
Be with the gambling man.”

I am a roving gambler, I’ve gambled down in town
Whenever I meet with a deck of cards I lay my money down.
Lay my money down, lay my money down

This post is about how to properly jog a card during the process of an overhand shuffle.

It is made clear in Expert at the card table that Erdnase has a sound knowledge on riffle shuffle techniques. He makes a briefly mention to the push through shuffle and a detailed explanation about several riffle shuffle controls. However his area of expertise is the the overhand shuffle, were he is very precise and accurate on the details.

Every Erdnase student will be compelled to understand and practice in depth all the overhand shuffle techniques: culling, stocking and controlling.

First of all, Erdnase that jogs should no bigger that a quarter of an inch as they can be easily noticeable from a player sitting on your right.

Another useful tip is that during <<the process of any shuffle>>, and during the action of in our out jogging a card, the right hand <<does not at once return to its former position, but gradually works back as the shuffle progresses>>.

If the top card needs to be jogged, Erdnase provides a useful insight, you can use the help of the left hand little finger. This is a natural thing to do if you use the left hand position described in the book but is, nevertheless, worth to mention.

Last but not least, remember to keep your shuffles sloppy to certain extent.

For any feedback, thoughts and comments, use the new topic on the Forum created for that purpose. To access it directly just click here.

ps. New topics are welcome (and needed). Please contribute!

This blog is dedicated to S.W. Erdnase and the only book he published: Expert at the Card Table.

The book was originally entitled and it was published in 1902. This enigmatic book about card cheating and conjuring techniques is the most cited and referenced book about card gambling moves. Artifice Ruse and Subterfuge at the Card Table Expert at the Card Table by S.W. Erdnase is an absolute classic in the history of magic literature. A must read for any card magician or aspiring gambling expert and an indespensable reference book.

Until today it is not known who the real author was. In the shadowy world of card magic and gambling, one of the most tantalizing mysteries of all surrounds the identity of a man who wrote under the name S.W. Erdnase.  Was it E. S. Andrews or W. E. Sanders? Whoever he was probably took his secret and his most highly skilled techniques to the grave and most likely nobody will ever know his real identity.

To assist the discussions I have created a forum. Please remember to visit and introduce yourselves. Let the fun begin!