How to Shuffle Tarot Cards: 5 Techniques for Every Reader

“Am I shuffling right?” is one of the most common questions I get from people learning tarot. And the honest answer is: if the cards are moving around and changing order, you’re shuffling right.

There is no wrong way to shuffle tarot cards. There’s no sacred technique that unlocks the deck’s power. There’s no ritual you must perform first. You shuffle, you draw, you read. That’s it.

But different shuffling methods do feel different — and finding the one that works for your hands, your deck, and your reading style makes the experience smoother and more enjoyable. Here are five methods, from simplest to most advanced.

Method 1: The overhand shuffle

Best for: Beginners, small hands, gentle on cards Difficulty: Easy

This is how most people naturally shuffle when they pick up a deck of cards. It’s intuitive, gentle, and works with any hand size.

How to do it:

1. Hold the deck in your non-dominant hand (left hand if you’re right-handed)
2. With your dominant hand, lift small sections of cards from the back of the deck
3. Place them onto the front of the deck
4. Repeat, varying how many cards you move each time

It’s simple. It works. And because you’re moving small groups rather than individual cards, it’s gentle on oversized or glossy tarot cards that don’t bend easily.

Tip: Vary the size of the chunks you move. Sometimes grab five cards, sometimes two, sometimes eight. This creates better randomization than moving uniform groups.

Method 2: The table spread (smoosh)

Best for: Total beginners, meditative readers, allowing reversals Difficulty: Easy (just needs table space)

This is the most tactile, grounding method — and secretly, it’s one of the most effective for randomization.

How to do it:

1. Spread all the cards face-down on a flat surface
2. Use both hands to swirl, push, and mix the cards around the table
3. Move them around for as long as feels right — 30 seconds to a minute is usually plenty
4. Gather them back into a pile
5. Square up the deck and draw your cards

This method naturally creates reversals (upside-down cards), which some readers want. It also gives you physical contact with every card in the deck, which many readers find helps them connect with the cards energetically.

Tip: This is great for when you need to reset a deck completely — after someone else has handled it, or when the energy of a previous reading feels like it’s lingering.

Method 3: The cut and restack

Best for: Quick readings, simple questions, combining with other methods Difficulty: Easy

Less of a shuffle, more of a reorganization. Best used in combination with another method.

How to do it:

1. Cut the deck into two or three piles
2. Restack them in a different order
3. Repeat several times

On its own, this doesn’t create much randomization. But combined with a few rounds of overhand shuffling, it adds variety to the card sequence. Many readers do a few overhand shuffles and then finish with a three-pile cut before drawing.

Some readers use the cut as the selection method itself: Shuffle however you like, then cut the deck into three piles. The top card of each pile becomes your three-card spread. Simple and satisfying.

Method 4: The riffle shuffle

Best for: Experienced card handlers, fast randomization Difficulty: Intermediate

This is the classic casino shuffle — splitting the deck in half and fanning the two halves into each other. It’s efficient and produces good randomization quickly. Mathematically, seven riffle shuffles fully randomize a standard deck.

How to do it:

1. Split the deck roughly in half
2. Hold each half with your thumbs on the inner edge
3. Gently bend the cards and release them so they interleave
4. Push the two halves together
5. Repeat 5-7 times

The concern: Riffle shuffling bends the cards. Tarot cards are bigger and often sturdier than playing cards, so the bend is noticeable. If your deck is precious to you or has a matte finish that shows wear, be gentle or choose a different method.

Tip: You don’t need a perfect, smooth riffle. A slightly messy riffle where cards clump together in groups is actually fine — it still randomizes the deck.

Method 5: The Hindu shuffle

Best for: A middle ground between overhand and riffle Difficulty: Intermediate

Popular in many parts of the world and quite elegant once you get the feel for it.

How to do it:

1. Hold the deck face-down in your dominant hand, gripping the short edges between thumb and fingers
2. With your non-dominant hand, pull small packets from the top of the deck and let them fall into your palm
3. Continue pulling packets until the entire deck has been transferred
4. Repeat several times

It’s similar to the overhand shuffle but the deck is oriented differently, which some people find more natural. The motion is smooth and rhythmic once you get comfortable with it.

When to stop shuffling

This is the question behind the question: “How do I know when the deck is ready?”

There’s no formula. But here are some cues readers use:

The practical answer: Shuffle until the cards feel mixed. If you just finished a reading where all the Major Arcana clumped together, shuffle a little longer. If you’re doing a daily pull from an already-randomized deck, a few passes is enough.

The intuitive answer: Shuffle until something in you says stop. This sounds vague, but with practice, you’ll develop a sense of when the deck feels “ready.” Some people describe it as a subtle shift in the weight of the cards, a thought that says “that’s enough,” or simply a feeling of completion.

The mathematical answer: Seven riffle shuffles (or equivalent) fully randomize a deck. If you want to be thorough, that’s your number.

My approach: I overhand shuffle while focusing on my question, and I stop when my attention naturally shifts from the shuffling to the reading. It usually takes 30-60 seconds.

What about cards that fall out?

Cards that jump or fall out of the deck during shuffling are called “jumpers.” Readers handle them differently:

Option 1: Read them. Many readers consider jumpers to be cards that are “insisting” on being seen. They interpret the jumper as an extra message — either as an additional card or as the main focus of the reading.

Option 2: Put them back. Some readers see jumpers as a shuffling accident, not a message. They put the card back and continue shuffling. Both approaches are valid.

My suggestion: If a card jumps out and it immediately triggers a strong reaction — a thought, a feeling, a connection to your question — pay attention to it. If it falls and you feel nothing, put it back.

How to allow (or prevent) reversals

Reversals (upside-down cards) happen when some cards face the opposite direction in the deck. Not all readers use them.

To allow reversals: Use the table spread method, which naturally flips some cards. Or during overhand shuffling, occasionally rotate a section of cards 180 degrees before adding them back to the deck.

To prevent reversals: Before each reading, go through the deck and make sure all cards face the same direction. Then use overhand or riffle shuffling without rotating any cards.

If you’re a beginner: I recommend starting without reversals. Learn the 78 upright meanings first. Once those feel solid, introduce reversals if the concept interests you.

Before you shuffle: setting the space

You don’t need a ritual. But having a consistent routine signals to your brain that it’s time to shift into a more receptive, intuitive state. Here’s what works for many readers:

• Clear the space. Put away distractions. Set your phone to silent.
• Take a breath. Three slow, deep breaths. It settles the mind.
• Hold your question. Know what you’re asking before you start shuffling. A clear question leads to a clear answer.
• Shuffle with intention. Don’t just mechanically move cards. Keep your question in mind as you shuffle.

That’s it. No candles required (though they’re nice). No special cloth (though they protect your cards). No crystals, sage, or moonlight (though if that’s your thing, go for it). The only thing that’s actually necessary is you, your deck, and a question.

Find your method

Try all five shuffling techniques this week. Pay attention to which one feels most natural, which one your hands prefer, and which one helps you focus on your question rather than on the mechanics.

The best shuffling method is the one you stop thinking about — the one that becomes automatic so your mind can focus on what actually matters: the question, the cards, and the story they’re telling you.