How to Throw Cards

If you are looking for a cool new hobby to impress all of your friends and win a couple bar bets, check out how to through playing cards.

The premise behind throwing a playing card is similar to throwing a curveball in baseball, what you are trying to do is put large amounts of spin on the card to keep it going at a fast pace. Playing cards are very lightweight, but are made with a fairly aerodynamic principle behind them; sharp four corners and a flat surface are what give the playing card the ability to be thrown to above two story heights, and it is the amount of spin that is placed onto the card that give it it's maneuverability.

The first thing you want to do to learn how to throw playing cards is purchase a deck, there are several brand names to choose from, Bicycle is a trusted one that I use often, because they coat their cards in a wax like finish that make them optimal for throwing. Once you have a deck, you can check into how to throw the card. There are two basic grips that are commonly used, the Thurston, and the Herrman, both stances were developed by those two magicians back in the late 19th century as a part of their magic acts. It is important to note that even though those two are the most commonly used grips, there are several other variations that work just as well.

Once you have a grip down, you can begin the throwing process. It is typical for beginners to throw the card in the same way they throw a Frisbee, with much emphases on flicking the wrist to produce optimal spin. If you try and throw your first two or three cards and they don't go but two or three feet in front of you, try and throw with a more relaxed grip on the card, and focus again on putting spin. Often beginners will tense up and concentrate on using muscle to make the cards fly faster, but really having a more relaxed grip, and wrist flick will make the car go much farther than any tensed grip with flexed muscles.

Practice is key to getting this process down. It took me about a month of researching grips, and practicing with decks until I achieved the level of throwing the cards through paper, and above my house. A benefit of learning how to throw cards is, no matter if it's been one day, or four months since I last threw a card, I can walk up to a deck and take one and throw a card at the same repeated height; all be it that I may need a couple warm up throws if it's been some months, it usually comes back immediately, similar to riding a bike, you never forget how to throw.

Overall checking into the various grips, remembering to focus on spin rather than power, and basic practice through a couple of decks; will all have you on your way to throwing cards above your house, and at fast enough speeds to leave an impression on unbelievers.

Source of Information: http://www.knifethrowing.info/throwing_cards.html