Holding a Break

When a break is made by the insertion of the tip of the little finger, a common error is to hold the break in the same way, that is, by keeping the little finger tip inserted between the two portions of the pack. The correct procedure is this:

When the break has been formed by the insertion of the little finger tip, square the deck with the right hand, the fingers at the outer end and the thumb at the inner end. Grip the pack momentarily with the right thumb and fingers, holding the break with the thumb, and withdraw the little finger. Immediately press it against the side of the deck as in Fig. 69. It will be found that the break can be held quite securely in this

way, and the right-hand side of the deck can be shown freely as well as the outer end. The holding of the deck, therefore, appears to be perfectly regular. This is most important, since the break is of great use in card conjuring and to hold it correctly is essential to clean manipulation.