How to do the waterfall card flourish

The waterfall, sometimes called a cascade, is a flourish where cards fall from one hand into the other in a steady, connected stream. Hold the deck by its short ends, squeeze so the cards bow, then relax the pressure a little at a time so they peel off one by one. Start with the hands close together and only spread them apart once the release is even.

What is the waterfall flourish?

In the waterfall the deck is held above your other hand and the cards cascade down one at a time, each sliding off the one before, so the stream looks like falling water. It is quieter and smaller than a spring, where cards shoot across from hand to hand, and more controlled than a loose dribble. That small size is exactly why it suits close-up work: you can do it at a table while you talk, as a way to square up or to show the deck is ordinary.

How do you hold the deck?

1. Take the deck in your dominant hand from above. Your thumb goes on one short end and your fingers on the other, the same end-to-end hold used for a spring.
2. Squeeze the short ends towards each other. The cards bow into a gentle “U” shape, curving towards your palm. That tension is what powers the release.
3. Hold your other hand below, palm up. Cup it slightly so the falling cards land on the palm and fingers. To begin, keep it just a few centimetres under the deck.

How do you release the cards?

1. Ease the pressure slowly. Relax your thumb and fingers very slightly. The bottom card should flick free from the fingertips and drop.
2. Keep the release steady. Aim for one card at a time, each one sliding off the next, in an even rhythm. If clumps fall, you are letting go too quickly.
3. Catch and square. Let the cards stack up in your lower hand, then square them and start again.

At first the waterfall will only be a few centimetres long. That is fine. Concentrate on single cards falling at an even pace before you worry about length.

How do you make the waterfall longer?

Once single cards fall smoothly, start raising the top hand while the stream is running and lower the catching hand at the same time. The cards keep their rhythm and the cascade stretches out. Increase the gap only as far as you can keep the stream connected; a short, even waterfall looks better than a long, broken one.

How should you practise it?

• Practise over a bed or a table. You will drop cards while you learn, and a soft surface saves time picking them up.
• Try different pressure points. Small changes in where your thumb and fingers press change how the cards peel off. Experiment until the release feels even.
• Use a deck in good condition. Fresh cards with even stock and finish release more consistently than a worn, sticky deck.
• Short daily sessions. A few minutes a day builds the feel for the release faster than one long session a week. Our guide to how to practise magic has a simple routine.

What are the common mistakes?

• Too much pressure, then a sudden release. The cards shoot out as a spring instead of falling. Relax gradually.
• Too little bend. Without enough curve the cards slide out in a clump. Squeeze a little harder before you release.
• Chasing length too early. Pulling the hands apart before the release is even breaks the stream.
• Looking tense. A flourish should look easy. Keep your shoulders relaxed and practise until you can do it while talking.

How does it fit with other flourishes?

The waterfall uses the same bend-and-release feel as the card spring and the dribble, so practising one helps the others. It also makes a neat finish to a riffle shuffle and bridge, or a pause before a card is chosen. If you want a cut to go with it, try the Sybil cut.

What helps you take it further?

• Shuriken Deck by SansMinds Creative Lab, a deck designed to perform cardistry and add visual impact, with a design inspired by spinning shuriken.

Browse our full playing cards range to find a deck that suits your hands, and our card tricks collection for something to perform once the deck is in your hands.

Frequently asked questions