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performer is seated at a table. It can effectively be alternated with the overhand shuffle.
    RIFFLE SHUFFLE CONTROL
    To retain a card or cards on the top or bottom of the deck by means of this shuffle is a simple matter.
    Retaining a Card at the Top of the Deck
    When the cut is made for the riffle shuffle, the card to be retained becomes the top card of the cut packet. Therefore you have merely to see that all the cards of the left-hand packet have fallen before you release the last few cards of the right-hand packet. When the packets are telescoped the required card will again be the top card of the deck.
    A packet of six or eight cards can be retained on the top in the same way by holding them back until all the cards of the left-hand packet have fallen. It is not advisable, however, to use the manoeuvre with more than that number of cards.
    Retaining the Bottom Card or Cards
    In this case the cards to be controlled are on the bottom of the left-hand packet. In grasping that packet with the left thumb and fingers, do not seize all the cards; allow a small packet to remain on the table and raise only the corners of those above it. The first cards to fall from the right-hand packet will fall on top of these cards; therefore, when the deck is squared, the card or cards being controlled will again be on the bottom of the deck.
    Sometimes it becomes necessary to add one card to the top of the deck. This can easily be done by the riffle shuffle. In lifting the corners of the left-hand packet, press the index finger on the top card of that packet and draw it a little over the left thumb. It is an easy matter then to hold it back until the last card of the right-hand packet has been released.
    Riffle Shuffle in the Air
    It is surprising that while many people know how to make a neat riffle shuffle at the table few know how to make the same shuffle away from a table. To be able to riffle shuffle in the air is a particularly useful weapon for the card conjuror who has to perform under varying conditions. This form of the riffle shuffle is not difficult, but it does require some practice to perform it neatly.
    1. Take the pack face downwards in the right hand with the thumb at one end, the middle, ring and little fingers at the other, and the index finger bent so that its nail rests against the middle of the back of the top card. Turn the pack to a vertical position with the thumb at the top and the faces towards the left.
    2. Place the left hand, palm upwards, a couple of inches to the left of and a little above the tips of the right fingers. Bend the middle of the pack outwards by pressing outwards, with the right forefinger at the middle and the thumb and fingers inwards at the ends. Allow about half the cards to fall forwards on to the left fingers in a horizontal position (figure 17).

    3. Place the tip of the left thumb momentarily on the back of this packet and move the left forefinger up to take its place.
    4. With the tips of the right fingers, bend the left-hand packet upwards and place the left thumb on the middle of its upper end. The two packets are thus held facing each other and with exactly the same grip by each hand - thumbs at the top, index fingers at the middle of the backs, and the other three fingers gripping the lower ends (figure 18).

    5. Turn both hands palm downwards, bend the ends of both packets upwards by pressure against the forefingers, and hold the packets with the inner ends close together in the shape of a shallow V, the point of which is away from the body.
    6. Allow the cards to slip from each thumb alternately, interlacing the corners.
    7. Press the packets flush by bringing the hands together, then square the pack.
    If the positions are taken correctly it will be found that the lower end of each packet will be held firmly between the first phalanx of the index finger at the back and the first phalanxes of the other three fingers at the face. The grip must be held firmly until all the cards have