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Charlier Cut

  • Basics
  • Beginner
  • Cuts
  • Flourishes

The Charlier cut is the classic one-handed cut, and it's usually the first flourish a card nerd learns. Watch the video above, then follow this Charlier cut tutorial's 9-step photo guide to learn how to do the Charlier cut at your own pace.

Difficulty

Beginner. A great first move to practice. Small hands make it a bit harder, but you can still do it (see the tips below).

Pre-Requisites

None

Sources

Credited to Charlier, a French card expert of the late 1800s. First published in print as the "Charlier" Pass in Professor Hoffmann's More Magic (1890).

Deck Used

White Ghosts

Learn more

Intro to Card Magic CourseFree

What Is the Charlier Cut?

The Charlier cut is a cut done with one hand: the bottom half of the deck is pushed up and around the top half, so the two packets trade places without your other hand touching the cards. Magicians use it as a casual display of skill, and in cardistry it's a building block for fancier cut sequences.

The move is named after Charlier, a mysterious 19th-century card expert. It was written up as the "Charlier pass" in Professor Hoffmann's More Magic (1890), which is why older books still call it a pass. (And if you searched for the "Charlie cut," you're in the right place. It's the same move, just missing an R.)

Charlier Cut Step by Step

The whole cut breaks into three phases: get into the straddle grip, drop and push the bottom half, then let the top half fall closed.

  1. Step 1: Start in mechanic's grip

    Hold the deck face down in your left hand in a standard mechanic's grip: thumb on the left long edge, index finger around the front short edge, other fingers along the right long edge.

    Deck of cards held face down in the left hand in mechanic's grip, ready to start the Charlier cut
    Standard mechanic's grip, your starting position.

  2. Step 2: Bring your pinky to the back edge

    Curl your pinky around to the back short edge of the deck. Squeeze gently between your index finger at the front and your pinky at the back. Those two fingers are about to hold the whole deck.

    Pinky finger moved to the back short edge of the deck, gripping it against the index finger for the Charlier cut straddle grip
    Pinky on the back edge, index finger on the front edge.

  3. Step 3: Lift into the straddle grip

    Straighten your pinky so the deck lifts off your palm, then bring your thumb over to take the left side. The deck is now up at your fingertips. Some people call this an elevated mechanic's grip. Honestly, it's simpler than it sounds: pinky back, then lift off.

    Deck lifted off the palm and held at the fingertips in the straddle grip used for the Charlier cut
    Straddle grip: the deck is off your palm, held by your thumb and fingertips.

  4. Step 4: Let about half the deck drop

    Relax your thumb's pressure on the lower cards just a little so roughly the bottom half drops into your palm, hinging along the right side against your fingers. The top half stays pinched by your thumb.

    Bottom half of the deck dropping into the palm while the thumb holds the top half in the Charlier cut
    Release just enough thumb pressure to drop about half.

  5. Step 5: Push the dropped half up with your index finger

    Curl your index finger underneath, contact the bottom of the dropped packet, and push it up. The packet pivots upward, pressing against the right edge of the top half.

    Index finger pushing the bottom packet of cards upward during a one-handed Charlier cut
    Your index finger does the lifting, not your thumb.

  6. Step 6: Release the thumb and balance

    About halfway up, release the top packet from your thumb. It now balances on the right edge of the rising packet. Keep pushing with your index finger.

    Top packet of cards balancing on the edge of the bottom packet after the thumb releases
    The top packet balances on the edge of the bottom packet.

  7. Step 7: Keep pushing until the packets clear

    Continue pushing up until the original bottom packet completely clears the edge of the top packet. The halves are now side by side, with the original bottom half standing up toward your thumb.

    Two halves of the deck clearing each other, standing side by side in the hand
    Once the edges clear, the hard part is over.

  8. Step 8: Lower your index finger

    Slowly lower your index finger. The original top packet isn't resting on your finger. You're just making room so it can fall flat into your palm.

    Index finger lowering so the packet of cards can fall flat into the palm
    Lower your index finger and let gravity do the work.

  9. Step 9: Clamp down with your thumb to finish

    Let the standing packet fall on top, then clamp down with your thumb to square everything up. The halves have swapped places and the cut is done. Nice work!

    Completed Charlier cut with the deck squared back in the left hand
    Cut complete: the deck is squared back in your hand.

Charlier Cut Tips for Small Hands

You don't need big hands for this one. The instructor in the video has small hands too. Here's what helps:

  • Don't push all the way. Push the bottom packet as far as your index finger comfortably reaches, then release your thumb and let the top packet balance the rest of the way (Step 6).
  • Try a half deck. Take out about 20 cards while you learn. A thinner deck is easier to span, and you can add cards back as you improve.
  • Try a bridge-size deck. Bridge-size cards are narrower than poker size, so they're easier to control.

Common Mistakes

  • Dropping too many cards. Aim for about half. If almost the whole deck falls, ease off your thumb more gradually.
  • Squeezing too hard. A death grip makes the packets bend and spray. Use just enough pressure to hold them.
  • Leaving the deck in your palm. Skip the straddle grip and the bottom half has nowhere to go.
  • Rushing the finish. After the packets clear, lower your index finger and let the packet fall. Don't flick it.
  • Practicing over a hard floor. You'll drop cards, and that's normal. Practice over a bed or couch. A loose rubber band around each half can keep the packets from spraying early on.

How Long Does It Take to Learn?

Most people get a slow, clunky Charlier cut within 15 to 30 minutes. Making it smooth usually takes a week or two of 5 to 10 minute daily sessions. Run it in slow motion until each phase feels automatic, then let it flow together. It's the perfect move to practice while watching TV.

Charlier Cut FAQ

Can you do the Charlier cut with small hands?

Yes. Release your thumb partway and let the top packet balance the rest of the way. See the small-hands tips above.

Who invented the Charlier cut?

It's named after Charlier, a 19th-century card expert. The move was published as the "Charlier pass" in Professor Hoffmann's More Magic (1890).

Is the Charlier cut good for beginners?

Absolutely. It's one of the most common first moves in magic and cardistry, with no prerequisites.

What's the difference between the Charlier cut, the swing cut, and the revolution cut?

The Charlier cut uses one hand. The swing cut uses both hands, swinging a packet out with the index finger. The revolution cut is a harder one-hander where a packet spins all the way around, and the Charlier builds the finger control you'll need for it.

What deck is best for learning it?

Any standard deck works, but a fresh one with a smooth finish slides more predictably. This tutorial uses White Ghosts.

What to Learn Next

Got the Charlier cut down? Here's where to go from here.

New to flourishing? Read our beginner's guide to learning cardistry. Need a deck that handles well? Browse our cardistry decks.