Re: mechanic's grip / richard sooy
TIGER123_-_AT_-_aol.com
Tue, 18 Mar 1997 18:54:23 -0500 (EST)
the "mechanic's grip" is a way of holding a deck. it is used by card sharps
("mechanics"), but is also used by magicians. in fact, some honest dealers
actually use the grip.
supposedly, the mechanic's grip is the best way to hold a deck when one wants
to distribute ("pitch") cards **other** than the top card. one can deal the
card next to the top (a "second"), a "middle", or a "bottom".
the actual definition (and photographs) can be found in john scarne's
wonderful guide to gambling. i don't have this book, but i remember that the
mechanic's grip is quite easy to spot. the third, fourth, and fifth fingers
of the hand are placed on the long side of the deck, the forefinger is curled
at the top of the deck, and the thumb is on the long side opposite the three
fingers. i find the grip to be quite awkward
as i said some two years ago in my rgp post "tiger tours the tables", richard
sooy is one of the best dealers in town. there should be no question in
anyone's mind that he is anything else but completely honest.
tiger