I believe the Sting Cut4 to be the best tabled full-deck false cut in existence. This may seem like a bold claim to make, but after reading the entire description —and seeing how I've evolved it—you'll hopefully reach the same conclusion: It's simple, it's impossible to follow, it can be varied without concentration to suit style or context, it's practical with any cards in any condition and it is almost impossible to lose complete control.
It is also perfectly suited to the control of a small stock on either top or bottom. However, it's the philosophy underpinning these technical developments that makes the Sting Cut so interesting to me.
Expert Card Technique states that the Up the Ladder Cut is the best tabled false cut, other texts promote the Vernon Cold
4. I first saw this cut — in its most basic form — being executed by John Scarne in the Universal film, The Sting (Henry Gondorf demonstrates the cut by controlling the Ace of Spades through several cutting actions). The earliest written description I can find is in Poker by Hardison (1914) under the title of False Cuts (Third Method).
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Deck Cut, cuts from Erdnase or some other fixed system cut control—is the most attractive element of this cut to me.
The cut is essentially a triple undercut on the table, in which a break is used to maintain control. Broken down:
1. Undercut a portion from the bottom and hold a break between this portion and the top of the deck.
2. Now undercut half of the cards below the break to the top.
3. Finally, cut the remaining cards below the break to the top.
This is the essence of the cut. However, there are many ways that what appears to be a very unconsidered series of genuine cuts.
The ability to vary all the elements will subconsciously add to the authentic feel of the cut. You can simply let your hands execute the cut as they wish in the moment without paying the least bit attention to what they are doing.
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Varying tempo, rhythm & style
deck and to cut the portion above the break forward onto the table (like a standard table cut). With this technique you can perfectly simulate Dai Vernons Cold Deck Cut. I believe that this procedure really adds to Vernon's cut.
Performing the cut twice
It is an easy matter to perform the cut twice in a way where it is not really obvious that two separate sequences have been executed. Instead the two sequences will flow together and look like one random sequence of cuts. If both sequences are different it will be even more difficult to follow.
Stutter-Step Subtlety
This is a devious subtlety to use with the Sting Cut. It creates the illusion of more packets being cut without actually cutting more packets. It is a very simple idea but may sound more complex in description.
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1
Hold an area in the middle of the pack with the tips of the third finger and thumb of the left hand, and keep pressure on this portion as the right hand moves diagonally forward with a portion from the top and the bottom. The right hand moves diagonally forward until the top packet almost clears the middle portion (Photo 1).
With the right hand keeping hold of its bottom portion, it moves sharply inward to the left for a fraction of an inch and, in that motion, allows inertia to carry the top portion back onto the middle portion of the deck (Photo 2).
The right hand now moves back outward with its single packet and places it on top, keeping a thumb break with the left hand
(Photo 3).
This technique is over in a flash, creating an almost subliminal appearance of another packet. Of course, it is entirely possible to remove the right hand completely and then to come back
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to cut off the top packet before depositing the original bottom portion on top; however, the Stutter-Step technique removes all possibility of a card accidentally sliding out of place or the performer accidentally dropping a break.
Additional subtle touches
• After getting a break under the first packet, the next packets can be casually dropped/thrown onto the first packet as the break is already established. This adds a touch of casualness, which is very deceptive.
• Allow each packet to step slightly so that you can square the entire deck at the end.
• Removing each packet without hesitation and having a smooth flow will increase the deceptiveness and casualness of the cut.
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• By pausing before the final packet is removed, it is possible to make the single sequence Look like two separate sequences.
Breaking or interrupting the rhythm can be used in many ways and can create a genuine sense of casual, true mixing.
• If you are only controlling a small stock, it is possible, at any point, to execute real strip-cuts or multiple cuts to the table, of all the cards except the stack.
• Once the sequence is finished, instantly throw in a Scrape Cut.5
• Improvise the entire sequence while talking and without looking at your hands.
5. An old card table move, published in Stephen Minch's The Vernon ChroniclesVolume 1, 1987, under the title 'The Vernon Simple False Cut'.
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