Ribbon Spread and Flip
The ribbon spread lays the whole deck across the table in one smooth, even line. Add the flip and the spread turns over like a row of dominoes. It is one of the easiest flourishes to learn and one of the most useful if you do a lot of table work.
- Difficulty
Beginner. The spread comes quickly. The turnover takes a little practice to judge the pressure and keep the domino effect going.
- Pre-Requisites
None
- Sources
Robert-Houdin described the spread turnover flourish in The Secrets of Conjuring and Magic (1868). Hugard and Braue's The Royal Road to Card Magic (1948) teaches the ribbon spread and turnover in its Flourishes chapter.
- Deck Used
- Learn more
What Is the Ribbon Spread and Flip?
The ribbon spread, or tabled ribbon spread, is a way of spreading the cards across the table so the same amount of each card shows. It is a staple card handling move in card magic, useful any time you want to display the deck or let someone choose a card from the table.
The flip is the turnover that follows. Lift one end of the spread and the friction of a soft surface turns the cards over one after another, like dominoes. From there you can turn the spread back, run the turnover with a single card, stop it halfway, or split the spread into two sections.
How to Do the Ribbon Spread and Flip, Step by Step
Follow along with the video. Everything is taught for a right-handed spread from left to right, so mirror it if you are left-handed.
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Step 1: Use a smooth deck and a soft surface
Two things make a big difference. First, a smooth deck. An old, sticky deck will still spread, but not nearly as evenly as a newer, smoother one.
Second, a soft surface with a bit of cushion. You can spread on a hard table, but the turnover will be very difficult if not near impossible. A close-up pad is ideal, though a carpet or a couch works too.
A smooth deck and a close-up pad make the spread and flip easier. -
Step 2: Set the deck in the spreading grip
Grab the deck in overhand grip and place it on the table toward the bottom left area, since you will spread to the right. Your middle and ring fingers are on the outer edge and your thumb is at the inner edge.
Normally your first finger rests on top, but for the spread, move it to the left edge of the deck. The first finger controls how much each card spreads.
First finger moves to the left edge to control the spread. -
Step 3: Spread the cards evenly
Apply a little downward pressure with your first finger and move your right hand in the direction you want to spread. The first finger helps control the spread as the cards come off.
There is not much more technique than that. Experiment with how much downward pressure you need and how fast to move. Aim for an equal amount of each card showing all the way along.
An even ribbon, with the same amount of every card showing. -
Step 4: Gather the spread
If you do not want to do the turnover, put your left hand at one end of the spread and your right hand at the other, and move them in opposite directions along the spread to collect the cards back into a deck.
One hand at each end to collect the spread. -
Step 5: Keep your fingers under the bottom card
For the domino turnover, keep a couple of fingers, the ring and middle fingers in the video, below the bottommost card of the deck as you spread. That way, when the spread is done, you are already in position to start the flip.
Fingers stay under the bottom card, ready for the flip. -
Step 6: Lift and let the spread flip
Lift up the end card. Because you are on a soft surface, there is friction on the bottom edges of the cards, and they turn over one after another.
You can push down with your left fingers to create momentum and let the rest of the cards flip on their own. Play with the amount of force. Or flip a few, then come across with your right hand and finish the turnover by running your finger along the spread.
Lift one end and the cards flip like dominoes. -
Step 7: Run the turnover with a card
For a few style points, pick up the last card of the deck and use it instead of your finger. Contact the turning cards with it and run it along the spread. Before the spread ends, you can use the momentum to let the last few cards fall on their own, then tuck that card underneath and pick up.
A single card runs the turnover along the spread. -
Step 8: Stop or split the spread
To stop the turnover midway, keep your right hand ahead of the wave and apply some downward pressure. The cards stop turning, and you can even go back and forth a little.
To split the spread, stop it in the middle, then contact that center point with both first fingers and move them in opposite directions. Flip each half over, and flip them back. You might struggle to find the breaking point at first.
Stopped midway, part of the spread face up and part face down.
Ribbon Spread and Flip Tips
- Spread toward open table. Start the deck at the bottom left so you have room to spread to the right.
- Let the first finger set the spacing. More pressure gives a shorter, tighter spread. Less pressure gives a longer one.
- Chase even spacing, not length. An even spread looks better and keeps the domino effect from breaking.
- Use momentum for the flip. A small push down with the fingers can carry the whole turnover without you touching every card.
- Mirror it for the left hand. Everything here is taught right-handed. Left-handers can simply flip the direction.
Common Mistakes
- An uneven spread. If some cards show a lot and others show a little, it looks messy, and the turnover may stall partway.
- Trying the flip on a hard table. The spread works, but without a soft surface the cards slide instead of turning over.
- Using a sticky deck. Old cards clump and spread unevenly. A fresh, smooth deck makes the ribbon easy.
- Too much force on the turnover. Push too hard and the cards scatter. Start gently and add force until the wave carries.
- Forgetting to stay ready under the bottom card. If your fingers are not already under the end of the spread, the flip starts with a fumble.
How Long Does It Take to Learn?
Most people get a decent ribbon spread in a few minutes. A consistently even spread and a turnover that carries all the way along usually take a few practice sessions on a close-up pad, mostly spent finding the right pressure and speed. Stopping and splitting the spread take a little longer, but they are fun to play with once the basic flip is reliable.
Ribbon Spread and Flip FAQ
Can you do the ribbon spread turnover on a hard table?
You can spread on a hard surface, but the turnover will be very difficult if not near impossible. The flip needs a bit of friction under the card edges, so use a close-up pad, a carpet, or a couch.
Why does my turnover stop partway?
Usually because the spread is uneven. If some cards show a lot and others a little, the domino effect breaks. Aim for an equal amount of each card showing.
Does the deck matter for a ribbon spread?
Yes. A newer, smoother deck spreads far more evenly than an old, sticky one. You can still spread a worn deck, just not as smoothly.
How do you stop the turnover in the middle?
Keep your right hand ahead of the turning cards and apply some downward pressure. That prevents the cards from turning over completely, and you can even move the wave back and forth.
How do you split the spread into two sections?
Stop the turnover in the middle, then contact that center point with both first fingers and move them in opposite directions. Each half can then be flipped over and back on its own.
What to Learn Next
- Spreading Cards (a beginner guide to spreading the cards between the hands)
- Charlier Cut (a beginner one-handed cut)
- Overhand Shuffle (a beginner shuffle that every card handler needs)
- The Thumb Fan (a beginner to intermediate fan flourish)