How to Shuffle Tarot Cards: A Guide for Beginner Tarot Readers

Does shuffling technique matter as much as your intuition? mediaphotos / Getty Images

You picked out your first tarot deck, maybe set a calming mood with a palm stone, and now you're holding 78 cards like you’re about to deal in a game of poker.

But learning how to shuffle tarot cards isn’t quite as straightforward as it seems. Unlike card games, tarot has layers of ritual and meaning baked into every move.

In tarot, the shuffling process isn’t just mechanical. It’s the first step in turning a stack of illustrated paper into a divination tool. Whether you’re reading tarot professionally or pulling a few cards on a kitchen table with friends, the way you shuffle sets the tone.

Contents

Step 1: Create a Calm Setting for Your First Tarot Reading Space
Step 2: Choose a Shuffling Technique That Fits You
Step 3: Figuring Out When to Stop Shuffling
Step 4: Cut, Stack, and Draw Cards
Step 5: Practice Makes the Technique Personal
Step 6: Build Your Intuition Through Repetition
Step 7: Use Common Sense and Respect the Deck

Step 1: Create a Calm Setting for Your First Tarot Reading Space

Before you shuffle tarot, pause to create a peaceful environment. A coffee table, kitchen table, or even the floor will do. Place your tarot deck, a palm stone, or any object that helps you feel relaxed and clear-minded. This space becomes your sacred tool station.

Think of this as more than a setup: It’s a signal.

You’re shifting from the everyday into the symbolic. Focus your conscious mind on your intention. If you’re in someone else’s space, ensure the energy feels neutral and calm.

Step 2: Choose a Shuffling Technique That Fits You

tarot reader — Each reader has their own preferred shuffling method. Sergey Mironov / Getty Images

There are several ways to shuffle a tarot deck, and each has pros, cons, and vibes.

Overhand shuffle: This one's a neat and beginner-friendly method. Hold the deck in one hand and draw cards from the top with the other. Ideal for small hands and maintaining order.
Riffle shuffle: Cut the deck in half and let the edges cascade together. This shuffling technique is fast and efficient but harder on the cards. Consider this method if you read tarot often and want a clean reset.
Relaxed pile shuffle: Here's a gentle and intuitive method. Spread all the cards face down and swirl them freely. It's ideal for gently mixing the cards while letting your intuition guide the process.

Some readers combine methods. You might riffle once, then switch to an overhand. The key is consistency in energy and presence. Shuffle all the cards, and always move in the same direction to maintain consistency.

Step 3: Figuring Out When to Stop Shuffling

Should you count your shuffles? Use a timer nearby? Or just feel it out? There's no rulebook.

Many readers shuffle until they feel drawn to stop. Others use their dominant hand or nondominant hand, based on whether they’re seeking action or reflection.

Trust your self-trust. This is where intuition begins to guide the shuffling process.

You might find that half the cards feel ready while the other half want another pass. Pay attention. Some readers say their tarot deck practically tells them when it’s time to stop.

Step 4: Cut, Stack, and Draw Cards

Cutting the deck can be just as symbolic as shuffling. Use your left hand to divide the deck (some traditions favor the left hand, symbolically associating it with intuitive, receptive energy). Then re-stack them into one deck.

Begin your tarot spread. Whether you're pulling a few cards or laying out the whole deck, draw with care.

The cards you pull—upright or reversed—are interpreted as reflecting your current situation or state of mind. Read reversals if they make sense for your question and practice.

Step 5: Practice Makes the Technique Personal

The best way to shuffle tarot cards is the way that feels natural to you. Your preferred method may shift as your tarot journey deepens.

You may start with an overhand shuffle and end up developing your own technique that blends shuffling styles. Some readers swear by the riffle shuffle for its clean reset, while others won't touch it to preserve their deck.

Like any longstanding practice, tarot invites experimentation. One day you might shuffle one hand at a time. Another, you might mix half the cards with the other half in a new way. It's all valid.

Step 6: Build Your Intuition Through Repetition

The more you shuffle, read, and reflect, the more comfortable and confident you become with your tarot deck. Practice builds confidence. Over time, you’ll read tarot cards without second-guessing your every move.

Some days your intuition will lead you to stop mid-shuffle and pull cards instantly. Other days, you’ll do a more relaxed pile shuffle, cut the stack, and pull from the middle. Both are valid.

Your tarot journey isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence.

Step 7: Use Common Sense and Respect the Deck

Don’t force a method that feels awkward. If a technique strains your hands or scatters your focus, drop it. Use common sense. Tarot is about channeling clarity, not mastering mechanics.

The goal isn’t to shuffle like a Vegas dealer. It’s to connect. Some readers shuffle before every pull, others once per session. If you're reading for multiple people—say at house parties—you might refresh your shuffling technique each time.

Eventually, you'll find the right cards at the right moment, and you'll know how to shuffle tarot cards in a way that's uniquely yours.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.