Second dealing
Encyclopedia
Second dealing is a method of manipulating a deck of cards during a card game
by way of dealing the second, rather than the top, card
of the deck, usually for the purpose of cheating. Second dealing and bottom dealing
are also used in performance magic
.
A card cheat who specializes in manipulating playing cards is called a card mechanic; a card mechanic who specializes in second dealing is called a "second dealer", a "deuce dealer", a "two dealer", or a "number two man."
Second dealing is only useful when the cheat knows the value of the top card of the deck. Once the value of the top card is known the cheat may resort to second dealing in order to avoid dealing a good card to an opponent, or to avoid dealing a bad card to himself (or to a secret accomplice).
In order to secretly gain knowledge of the value of the top card, second dealing is always used in conjunction with other cheating methods. One of the easiest, and most common methods of gaining knowledge of the top card is to employ the use of marked cards
. When marked cards are not in use the cheat can still gain knowledge of the top card by means of peeking, flashing (to an accomplice; and receiving signals), or by employing the use of various mechanical devices that enable the cheat to see the value of the top card of the deck.
Second dealing is generally done by dealing the cards from the hand. While holding the deck in the hand, the dealer will either push the top card to the side - revealing a small portion of the back of the second card (called 'the brief'), and strike the second card instead (this method is known as the strike second deal), or by pushing two top cards as one, in almost perfect alignment, and peeling off the second card while pushing the top card back flush with the deck (this method is called the pushoff second deal). Both methods have some advantages and disadvantages, depending on the situation.
Second dealing can also be done when the cards are dealt from a dealing shoe
, such as in many casino games. In this case the dealer will push the top card upwards and strike the partially-exposed second card. Although this method is usually employed with the use of a gaffed dealing shoe, an expert card mechanic can do it with a regular dealing shoe as well.
The practice of using a burn card
developed to help prevent this method of cheating. When burn cards are used, the top card is always discarded and the second one dealt. This is intended to prevent the dealer from gaining information about the next card to be dealt, since the second card is concealed by the top. Ironically, the second deal can be used to discard the second card from the pack and deal the original first.
The design of the back of the card can either help or hinder second dealing. A playing deck with only a solid color back makes second dealing very difficult to detect. Less so are cards with a uniform pattern or a single logo, such as an airline promotional pack. Easiest to detect are cards with a strong white border design, which appears stationary on the top card as the second card is slid out from underneath.
The second deal can be performed using either one or two hands, and also from a tabled deck, again using one or two hands. The practice of using the dealing hand in such a way that disguises the deal is known as 'using shade'. The practice of tilting the deck to help provide 'shade' is known as a 'necktie'.
Tells on the second deal include changes in pace when a second is made, variations in the dealing card noise on a second, strange deck movements when dealing a second, or odd finger movements. Odd grips are sometimes employed, which can suggest someone is not dealing honestly.
Card game
A card game is any game using playing cards as the primary device with which the game is played, be they traditional or game-specific. Countless card games exist, including families of related games...
by way of dealing the second, rather than the top, card
Playing card
A playing card is a piece of specially prepared heavy paper, thin cardboard, plastic-coated paper, cotton-paper blend, or thin plastic, marked with distinguishing motifs and used as one of a set for playing card games...
of the deck, usually for the purpose of cheating. Second dealing and bottom dealing
Bottom dealing
Bottom dealing or "base dealing" is a sleight of hand technique in which the bottom card from a deck of playing cards is dealt instead of the top card. It is used in card illusions, and as a method of card sharp....
are also used in performance magic
Magic (illusion)
Magic is a performing art that entertains audiences by staging tricks or creating illusions of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats using natural means...
.
A card cheat who specializes in manipulating playing cards is called a card mechanic; a card mechanic who specializes in second dealing is called a "second dealer", a "deuce dealer", a "two dealer", or a "number two man."
Second dealing is only useful when the cheat knows the value of the top card of the deck. Once the value of the top card is known the cheat may resort to second dealing in order to avoid dealing a good card to an opponent, or to avoid dealing a bad card to himself (or to a secret accomplice).
In order to secretly gain knowledge of the value of the top card, second dealing is always used in conjunction with other cheating methods. One of the easiest, and most common methods of gaining knowledge of the top card is to employ the use of marked cards
Card marking
Card marking is the process of altering playing cards such that the suit, rank or both are only apparent to the person marking the cards , usually for the purpose of cheating at cards by card sharps. To be effective, the distinguishing mark or marks must be done on the obverse side, which are...
. When marked cards are not in use the cheat can still gain knowledge of the top card by means of peeking, flashing (to an accomplice; and receiving signals), or by employing the use of various mechanical devices that enable the cheat to see the value of the top card of the deck.
Second dealing is generally done by dealing the cards from the hand. While holding the deck in the hand, the dealer will either push the top card to the side - revealing a small portion of the back of the second card (called 'the brief'), and strike the second card instead (this method is known as the strike second deal), or by pushing two top cards as one, in almost perfect alignment, and peeling off the second card while pushing the top card back flush with the deck (this method is called the pushoff second deal). Both methods have some advantages and disadvantages, depending on the situation.
Second dealing can also be done when the cards are dealt from a dealing shoe
Dealing shoe
A dealing shoe or dealer's shoe is a gaming device, mainly used in casinos, to hold multiple decks of playing cards. The shoe allows for more games to be played by reducing the time between shuffles and less chance of dealer cheating...
, such as in many casino games. In this case the dealer will push the top card upwards and strike the partially-exposed second card. Although this method is usually employed with the use of a gaffed dealing shoe, an expert card mechanic can do it with a regular dealing shoe as well.
The practice of using a burn card
Burn card
In card games, a burn card is a playing card dealt from the top of a deck, and discarded , unused by the players. Burn cards are almost always placed face down next to the discard pile without being revealed to the players....
developed to help prevent this method of cheating. When burn cards are used, the top card is always discarded and the second one dealt. This is intended to prevent the dealer from gaining information about the next card to be dealt, since the second card is concealed by the top. Ironically, the second deal can be used to discard the second card from the pack and deal the original first.
The design of the back of the card can either help or hinder second dealing. A playing deck with only a solid color back makes second dealing very difficult to detect. Less so are cards with a uniform pattern or a single logo, such as an airline promotional pack. Easiest to detect are cards with a strong white border design, which appears stationary on the top card as the second card is slid out from underneath.
The second deal can be performed using either one or two hands, and also from a tabled deck, again using one or two hands. The practice of using the dealing hand in such a way that disguises the deal is known as 'using shade'. The practice of tilting the deck to help provide 'shade' is known as a 'necktie'.
Tells on the second deal include changes in pace when a second is made, variations in the dealing card noise on a second, strange deck movements when dealing a second, or odd finger movements. Odd grips are sometimes employed, which can suggest someone is not dealing honestly.