How to Shuffle Tarot Cards (Even with Small Hands)
Nov 7, 2026 · The Editors
How to shuffle tarot cards correctly: the overhand shuffle, the table wash, the riffle and why to be careful with it, shuffling with small hands, cutting the deck, getting reversals, and when to stop.
Tarot cards are bigger than playing cards, and there are 78 of them. That makes them harder to shuffle — and many readers also want a shuffle that turns some cards upside down for reversals. Here are the methods, from gentlest to most thorough.
There is no "correct" way
There is no single correct way to shuffle a tarot deck. What matters is that the cards are well mixed, that the deck is not damaged, and — for many readers — that you are focused on your question while you shuffle. Choose the method that suits your hands and your deck.
The overhand shuffle
The most common tarot shuffle.
- Hold the deck on its long side in one hand.
- With the other hand, lift a block of cards from the back and drop small packets in front, a few cards at a time.
- Repeat until you feel the deck is mixed.
Gentle on the cards, easy to do while thinking about your question.
The table wash
- Spread the cards face down on the table.
- Swirl them around with both hands, mixing them thoroughly.
- Gather them into a pile.
The best way to get reversals, because cards turn round as they mix. It is also the kindest method for a new deck, and the easiest for small hands — you never have to hold the whole deck.
The riffle shuffle — carefully
Splitting the deck and riffling the halves together, like a casino shuffle, mixes the cards fastest. But it bends every card, and over time tarot cards crease and their gilded edges wear. If you riffle, use the gentle table riffle: halves flat on the table, lifting only the corners. How to riffle shuffle.
How to shuffle tarot cards with small hands
- Split the deck into two or three piles and shuffle each separately, then stack them and shuffle again.
- Use the table wash.
- Use a smaller deck — many tarot decks come in pocket or mini sizes.
Cutting the deck
After shuffling, many readers cut:
- Place the deck face down.
- With your non-dominant hand, cut it into three piles to the left.
- Restack them in any order that feels right.
Some readers have the person they are reading for cut the deck, to put their own energy into it.
How to get reversals
If you read upside-down cards:
- Use the table wash, or
- Split the deck in two, turn one half round, and shuffle them together.
When to stop shuffling
Most readers stop when it feels right — when a card jumps out, or when their mind settles on the question. Others count: a set number of shuffles every time. Either works.
Look after the deck
A tarot deck that is shuffled daily gets worn at the edges. Keep it in its tin or a cloth when not in use, keep it dry, and wash your hands before a reading — skin oil is what makes cards sticky. If you want to clear the deck, see how to cleanse tarot cards.
