Silver Surfer (help page):
One of the most frequently asked questions I receive, has to do with my technique - The Silver Surfer. It appears on the Five Card Stud DVD.
For instance, Paul F. writes:
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“I bought 5 Card Stud from you awhile ago, and I'm having some real trouble with Silver Surfer. I was wondering if you could give me a few pointers. My problem begins when I spread the deck of cards with the face up triple -- they don't always stay together.
When I release the triple with my thumb, it sometimes comes apart. When I do manage not mess up the above things, it usually always comes apart while sliding.
I have only managed to execute the Silver Surfer properly twice. Can you help me?"
- Paul F. Proud Member of Asher's Announcements
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Thanks for writing in Paul.
Most people have a hard time handling the Surfer at first, but with some quality tips and a bit of practice you should be sliding doubles and triples, down spreads, in no time.
The original routine on the Five Card Stud DVD uses a triple. For our discussion and practice, let’s just use a double (two cards.)
There are two important concepts you need to understand in order for the Silver Surfer to work smoothly.
The Bow:
The bow you place in the cards while turning them over is important because it not only helps the double stay together, but also allows the cards to slide effortlessly down the spread packet. I use the *Diving Board Double lift technique to bend the cards in a convex way, Photo 1.
The Break:
The other important concept you must understand is how to obtain the initial break needed to separate the double from the spread cards. I use a Greek break (aka. flesh break.)
Use the small amount of skin between the thumb and first finger, also known as the webbing, to hold a break between the top several cards, in our case a double, photo 2.
An easy way to obtain this type of break is to side-jog your face-up double lift to the right, Photo 3. Grip the double between your thumb and first finger, deep in the crotch of your thumb,
Photo 4.
Spread the deck to your right, photo 5.
Do you feel your skin in between the cards? That's a Greek break.
Now all that remains is for you to remove your flesh from between the packets by lifting your thumb straight up. Your double will come loose from the top of the packet, and is ready to let gravity pull it down the spread, photo 6.
Because of the bow you placed in the double earlier, they should stay together as they slide down the spread. If you find them separating, your bow isn’t large enough. Bend them a bit more next time you practice it.
Go back to the Five Card Stud DVD, and watch me perform it again. Then practice until you refine your technique.
If you have any other questions concerning these tips or the Silver Surfer, please feel free to contact me.
Thanks and enjoy performing the Silver Surfer.
Cheers,
Lee Asher
