How to Perform a One-Handed Triple Cut for your Card Magic

Here’s a flashy triple cut that occurs in one hand and breaks the deck into three separate sections. Take the time to master this one and you’ll be able to impress your family and friends.

This one-handed triple cut mixes the deck, but it’s more of a flashy interlude that can dress up your presentation of card magic. You can watch a video of the one-handed cut in slow motion and real time here. You could call this move a card ​flourish.

You can watch a video of the one-handed triple cut here.

Tip: When learning the one-hand cut, separate the deck into three parts and hold each segment together using rubber bands. This allows you to learn the move without having to constantly pick up dropped cards. When you’re confident with the cut, remove the rubber bands and keep practicing. Also, when learning, you don’t have to use the entire deck. Simply use half of a deck or whatever amount is comfortable so you can learn the moves and grow accustomed to the clearances and such.

It probably helps to have a deck in your hand and follow along with the step-by-step instructions.

Not technically card magic, card flourishes are flashy moves that can add to your card magic tricks and impress your audiences with your skills. As a professional magician, I like to showcase these moves to prove to audiences that I possess skills - what they see me perform is as difficult as the skills behind the scenes that make the magic happen. Also, I find flourishes useful for grabbing attention during my tricks.

Hold the deck in your left hand.

Note: If you're right-handed, we think it's best to hold the deck with your left hand and deal cards with your right hand. As a result, you'll perform the triple, one-handed cut in your left hand where you're already holding the cards.

Notice that the first (index) finger is on top of the deck and the thumb is on the side with a good portion of its pad against the side of the deck. The thumb will play a key role in the first step of performing the cut.

Using your thumb and second (middle), release half of the deck so that it falls into your palm. Continue to hold the top of the deck with the thumb, and first and second fingers.

Place the first knuckle of your third (ring) finger underneath the top half, and the first knuckle of your little (pinkie) finger on top. Along with your first finger, you can now grip the top half of the deck and securely hold it.

Release your first finger so you’re holding the top half of the deck with only your second, third and little fingers. Begin to straighten the second, third and little finger to turn the top half on its side.

This shows an open view of the grip.

Using your first finger, insert it into the middle of the top half and effectively separate it into two portions.

Using your thumb and the first finger take the lower half of the top half of the deck (the portion that you just separated) and rest it on your palm and on the ring finger.  

 Using your thumb lift the second portion forward and up until it clears the second half.

Curl your second, third and fourth fingers in to lower the upper portion.

Using your thumb and first finger, lower the other section on top.

With the two portions of the deck now interchanged, regrip the entire upper half with your second, third and fourth fingers.

Place the first knuckle of your third (ring) finger underneath the top half, and the first knuckle of your little (pinkie) finger on top. Along with your first finger, you can now grip the top half of the deck and securely hold it.

Using your thumb and first finger, grip the lower half and turn it up on its side.

Curl your second, third and fourth fingers in to lower the upper portion. After it falls into your palm, remove your second, third and fourth fingers. The portion of the deck should be lying flat on your palm.

Using your thumb, press the packet down to close the deck and finish the cut