Notes on the Open Shift...

Tips:
A reason the open shift is so difficult is the fact that erdnase only instructs you to control the top packet with the nail of the right index finger and left thumb. The problem with this is the balance required does not allow optimum control. This is why the shift is rushed by many performers making it look like they have a “spasm” (to steal a word Marlo used about the SWE shift).

When Erdnase says “the shift can be made like a flash” I theorize that he is talking about the sole motion of reversing the packets. Not the set up. I say this because when describing other shifts in the book, erdnase uses the term ‘shift’ solely when he is transposing the packets.

The open shift spasm can be solved by adding one simple step. Once you are in the position illustrated in figure 70, and finished clearing the packets of each other, you reposition the right hand by sliding it to the left and gripping the top packet (which will be shifted to bottom) by the thumb and middle finger of your right hand. The left fingers assist in holding the bottom packet during the sliding motion. At this point you can release your left hand completely and maintain control of the entire deck by only the right hand; gripping the bottom packet with the right middle, ring, and pinky fingers.

The position of the right hand in this grip also greatly reduces the risk of flashing the bottom packet as the top is pushed with the right index finger. This makes the shift slightly less angley and allows greater versatility.

Covers
-Movement from right to extreme left
This is the most common cover for the shift. a break is secured and the deck is carried to the extreme left of the performer, so that the back of the top card is in the direct vision of the player sitting opposite the dealer. The shift is then performed before dealing to the first player.

The problem with performing the shift this way is the momentary pause before he deal. Even if it’s executed in a ‘flash’ the pause is unexplained and draws attention.

-Tapping the table
A break is secured and the body is turned slightly to the left. The current top packet is slid toward the left palm by the right index finger, and regripped in the middle of the short sides by the middle finger and thumb of right hand (see the “tips” section at the beginning of this entry) . The left fingers extend, and the top packet is tapped against the table. In repositioning the deck the packets are shifted in a squaring motion.

An alternate method of using the table tap to cover the move would be to complete the cut with the left hand, securing a break, and performing the shift with the face of the deck facing the performer.


-Using table edge
The cut is completed by the right hand (fingers and thumb on opposite short sides) and the entire deck is slid along the table so the long edges are parallel to the table edge. As the bottom pack remains tabled, the right index finger begins to push the top packet into the awaiting left hand. The right middle finger and thumb then slide the tabled packet onto the packet in the left hand as it is raised for the deal, completing the shift.


Getting the break
-Offsetting the bottom packet when completing the cut.
Deck is tabled in front of you, with the short edges running parallel to the table edge. The cut is made by the right hand placing the top half to the left . As the cut is completed the packets are offset by placing the original bottom packet a half inch further to the left, creating a step which is concealed by the back of the right hand. the right index finger is placed on the step while the deck is picked up in preparation for the shift.

-Left Handed
The cut is completed by the left hand with the palm facing the table. The thumb is on one long end and the fingers on the other. When placing the packets together, the fleshy pad of the left ring finger is placed between the packets. The deck is then slid to the table edge and the right hand approaches palm up from underneath; grasping the top packet with the middle finger and thumb on the short edges. The left ring finger is then extracted, transferring the break into a step for the right index finger to execute the shift.

-Traditional Erdnase method
“When the cut is made, pick up the packet that was under, by the sides, near end, between second and third fingers and thumb of right hand, and lay it on top of packet cut-off, so that the then under packet forms a jog or protrudes about quarter of an inch toward the right wrist. Pick up the two packets the instant the one is placed on the other, by a sliding movement, with the fingers in the same position, and place the deck across the left palm with the left thumb on top to hold it in position. Then release sides of deck with right hand and seize ends to square up. In doing so the right thumb comes against the inner end and in contact with the jog or projecting under packet. Press this down a little with the thumb and square ends of deck, forming break at thumb end. Now shift the left hand slightly so as to hold the break with the tip of the left little finger at the side, close to the end”


Alternate uses
-Color change
Erdnase suggests using the Open shift as a transformation on page 136. He suggests performing the shift with the deck turned face upwards.

When Erdnase says ‘turned face upwards” does he mean the cards are face up in the hand with the performer facing his left- or is the performer facing his right with the hands rotated clockwise to display the faces?

It’s interesting to think about. When Erdnase wants the deck face up for a transformation he states it pretty clearly using terms like “with the back of deck to the palm” (Transformation, first method pg. 154) or even “with the deck face up” (SWE Shift pg. 139).

In fact, Erdnase never refers to a face up deck as being turned upward (s) anywhere in the text. I believe Erdnase meant for the performer to be turned to his right rotating his hands to display the face of the bottom card.

Personally I think when the performer is turned to his left with the cards face up, there are far better ways to do a transformation anyway.