False Shuffling There are two kinds of False Shuffles. The first kind aims to keep in view one or several cards only, while the remainder of the pack is given a genuine shuffle. In the other False Shuffle the entire pack, which is generally prearranged, is kept in the same order throughout. The various methods by which this latter result may be accomplished will be described first.   The Cut The simplest form of the False Shuffle is the cutting of the pack, by taking off the upper half of the pack, placing it on the table and placing the lower half of the pack on top of it. By this process the cards are only cut, but not shuffled. When the former bottom card is found and all cards below it are placed on top of the pack, the latter will be restored to its original order. As well known as this fact is among conjurers, it is astonishing how little the general public is acquainted with it. In order to thoroughly deceive people who are acquainted with this principle of the simple cut, the modern conjurer divides the pack into either three, four or five heaps, which are then placed together in such an irregular order that one who has not actually tried the same process will be positive that the cards have become hopelessly mixed. Of course, if the conjurer makes a mistake, they might well be! Supposing that the pack has been divided into three heaps, which we will call A, B and C, and which are placed on the table as follows: A Lower Heap B Middle Heap C Upper Heap Heap A is placed on C, then B on AC, which will be found to preserve the original order of the cards. For four heaps: A Lower Heap B Second Heap C Third Heap D Upper Heap C is placed on B, A on D, CB on AD; or, A on D, B on AD, BAD on C. For five or more heaps: The pack is placed on the table at A, a few cards are taken from the top and are placed at B; a few more are taken from A and placed at C, the same process being repeated with D and E. A is then quickly placed on B, B on C, C on D, and D, on E. If these ingenious and very useful methods of cutting have been well practiced and can be performed rapidly, both hands being used at the same time, the conjurer may be sure that there isn't the slightest doubt in the minds of the spectators that the pack has not been thoroughly shuffled.   Shuffling The Entire Pack As this method of apparently shuffling the entire pack is by far the best of all existing False Shuffles, beginners need not trouble themselves with learning any other method. This one, and a judicious combination of the various trick Cuts, will answer for all occasions. The prearranged cards, the order of which the conjurer does not wish to disturb by shuffling, are held in the left hand. The thumb of the left hand begins the false shuffle by pushing a number of cards, which we will call A, into the right hand. Now from the bottom of the pack remaining in the left hand which we will call B, a number of cards are passed upon the top of A. A few cards from the top of B are then transferred to the bottom of A, the performer continuing in this manner until all the cards have been successively passed from the left into the right hand. If desired this apparent shuffle may be repeated a few times. If it is smoothly and rapidly executed, the illusion will be found to be all that can be desired.   For One Card In this method, one particular card only is to be kept in view (that card having been brought to the top by means of a pass). The pack is then taken in the left hand, the thumb of which rests on the back of cards while the fingers are placed underneath. Exercising a slight pressure with the thumb on the top card, the performer seizes the pack with the right hand and lifts off all cards except the top one. The former top card is thus brought to the bottom. The cards held in the right hand are then shuffled on top of it. Taking the entire pack in the right, the performer shuffles it back into the left hand, dropping off the cards in heaps from the top of the pack. This continues until the last card (the desired one) is reached, which is then placed in its former position on the top of the pack. If two cards are to be kept in view, one of them is made to occupy the bottom and the other the top of the pack, which as before is held in the same position in the left hand. Slightly pressing with the fingers and the thumb of the left at the same time, the right hand lifts up the pack with the exception of the top and bottom cards. The top card is thereby brought directly over the bottom one, and the remainder of the pack is now shuffled indiscriminately on top of both. The right hand then lifts up the entire pack with the exception of the bottom card and shuffles the pack on top of it, passing the cards in small heaps from the top of the pack, until the last card is reached. It will be found that by means of this process, both the bottom and the top card have returned to their original place. Another simple and little known plan is to have the desired card on the top of the pack, which is divided into two equal parts and then sprung or "riffled" into each other in the well known manner adopted by most card players in this country. It will be found a very easy matter to retain the top card or cards in their respective places, as the riffle need only affect the middle and lower part of both heaps. 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