How to Deal Poker - The Poker Pitch - Mechanics - Lesson 3 of 38

Learn how to pitch cards like you see poker dealers do in casinos. A couple of benefits from learning this correctly include dealing more hands per hour and avoiding different types of arthritis that result from a lot of dealing. Below are the pitch concepts discussed in the video.
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The steps:
Elbows in by your sides.
Palms face the ceiling, for the most part.
Angle (bevel) the cards in the deck slightly.
Fingers on the side of the deck stay at the same level as the deck itself.
Two types of pitches are taught in this video.
The primary pitch pushes the card partly off the deck. You grab the card with your thumb and index finger near the top corner of the card. Your middle finger finds its comfortable divot. Your middle finger projects the card. One of the challenges is learning the timing of when to release the card with the thumb and index finger and when to project the card with the middle finger.
The secondary pitch pushes the card out farther off the deck, and the thumb and index fingers grab the card more toward the middle of the card. This method gives slightly more control over bad cards or in tough situations.
For both pitches, turn your body in your chair to pitch in different directions as opposed to turning your arms.
www.truepokerdealer.com

[@truepokerdealer]

WATCH NEXT: Lesson 4 of 38 - The Poker Pitch Situations - kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHmrfY2tn5J3oZo

[@itskmillz]

I just wanted to say that I was struggling greatly with my pitch until I watched this video. This video has helped me tremendously, and I still go back and re-watch it every once in a while to remind myself of all of the mechanics. Thank you so much for making this. Great video!

[@truepokerdealer]

You're welcome. Thank you for the very kind words.

[@AL-sp2vq]

I'm still struggling

[@Bartek-zz9rk]

He's good at it, I'm a professional casino dealer and he is dealing the game (as we say in Poland) "By the royal way"

[@slashslash501]

Po carski?

[@cheesewhiz8008]

never knew this, i always did the ol' "Frisbee" toss

[@PumaM90]

me too

[@domlachance3669]

Thanks Mark, I am a amateur poker player playing home games. Your tutorial is much appreciated.

[@monochhun9831]

Thanks, for your awesome video very professional.

[@dsomlit]

Thank for tutorials,Mark. You really know what you’re doing, I’ve been dealing poker for many years but there’re still so many things to learn from you.

[@BeatlesFanatic359]

Thanks for making this video. The pitch was always something that confused and amazed me at the same time and I always wanted to know how it works

[@RussyG32]

subscribed, yesterday i got a job in a casino as a poker dealer, their idea of teaching me is throw me in the deep end and see how i do, and act surprised when i mess up. your videos really helped me not mess up as much :) thanks

[@GMBos]

It took me a hot minute to get it down (I’m a leftie dealing RH) but now that I have I have been pitching for like an hour. Thank you!

[@evanmph]

I am in the fifth class of poker dealers our casino is training. My co-workers have mentioned your video countless times. Today was my second day of training. I have greatly improved after watching and imitating your exercises in the video. I have reduced exposing cards from around 30 in a deck to 2 in a deck. Just need more practice. Thanks to all of you. Once you guys complete your instructional video series, I would recommend it to our casino to purchase your videos.

[@ErnestoGluecksmann]

Nice job. Excellent explanation. Was looking for a professional tip on pitching and I got it. Thanks for sharing this.

[@furyassassin]

This was actually helpful, cleared something up. A co-worker who started dealer school, but ended up getting dropped because someone got COVID, was trying to show me this but I didn't get the divot part. I kept trying to push it with like my nail or something and it kept going right in front of me, now I get more of a flick that sends it out.

[@BOMBOVA]

much , much , more to this than i thought, enjoyed your presentation, good teacher you are, thanks

[@JesseBusman1996]

Awesome! I tried two other tutorials and doing what they said just didn't work for me, cards kept flipping over. Now I feel like I will be able to do it with some practice 😀

[@vapersmith7859]

Pretty well made videos on Poker I decided I wanted to try to learn as much as I could about it before playing it so that I know how to succeed at it like I have in video games of different kinds (I've completed the games on my channel I just have not posted them yet) its good though that this guy and others are obsessed with the Poker techniques because I am also obsessed with perfection and techniques so it goes right in with some of my personality traits. Good video and good luck with the Poker

[@tomprice4016]

This guy does a great job. Just got back from playing cards, and sure enough, the best dealers used this method. Thanks, Mark.

[@lyubomirmarchev]

Great job, mate. I would definitely watch all your videos and get better @ what I wanna do for living !

[@RulezAPower]

God damn, being a dealer might be harder than play... lol

[@Teybort]

Being a dealer is harder than play.

[@kingquan3826]

RulezAPower well yea that’s with anything in life.

[@artman40]

I mean, dealer can make less mistakes than players.

[@michaelhofby]

Yeah it really is hard.. It is NOT as easy as it seems. A lot of techniques that are pretty difficult to learn for new people while at the same time keeping the overlook of the bets, calls, raises all-ins, the pot perhaps side pots etc.

[@nadiayvonnerazanajao7082]

I'm not sure but ,if anyone else needs to find out about how do i win at texas holdem poker r free online try Giizabauth Greenback Generator (do a google search ) ? Ive heard some awesome things about it and my neighbor got cool results with it.

[@5volts440]

Thanks for your Time and teaching. !

[@truepokerdealer]

Thanks! I am in the middle of another project, but I will be getting back to these soon. Probably in another month or two.

[@subsonic4266]

So grateful to find your channel, new to dealing and you, sir, is my savior.:)

[@truepokerdealer]

Thanks Pete!

[@45furiar]

Fantastic videos! So clear. Thank you!

[@ThefamousMrcroissant]

Great tutorial. Well spoken and clear visuals.

[@truepokerdealer]

TY :)

[@adippp3]

wuhu without doubt that is one of the best ive seen i cant wait to see more

[@Legado_z]

I love it. Thank a lot Mate.

[@truepokerdealer]

Ha! Just picture more energy when you watch the next video. That way I don't have to remake them ;). I will keep that in mind for future videos too though.

[@flattlandermontgomery1524]

This video is awesome!!! I got it right away, and I believe it is because of the teaching skill and explanation!!!!!!!

[@truepokerdealer]

Love hearing this!

[@fanistassopoulos4812]

Thank you for existing and making this channel !!!

[@truepokerdealer]

Yw!

[@TheKremlingElite]

This is fantastic! My friends and I started getting into card games and I thought learning how to properly deal and shuffle would be much faster than slow deals and 52 pick up lol

[@truepokerdealer]

For sure!

[@truepokerdealer]

Thanks for the donation! A video of your pitch is the best way to get this corrected. Without seeing you in action, I can only guess. It is possible that you are holding the deck with your pinkie finger off the bottom of the deck. If you raise the deck higher up in your hand so that your pinkie is off the side toward the bottom, you may be able to get more control of the cards you take off with your thumb. I know a dealer who holds the deck that way and has trouble when the cards get worn in.

[@folver91]

Great tutorial, thanks a lot

[@truepokerdealer]

Great question, and it brings up an important point. Learning to deal poker is done best at an actual school where an instructor can see what your technique is and make adjustments based on what they see. Just like it is very difficult to correct a baseball batting motion, basketball shot, pool approach or other similar motion without seeing what is being done, it is very difficult to correct your situation without seeing you pitch. That said, feel free to include a video of your pitch.

[@Gramercy_Stiffs]

Using the deck as a ramp totally solved my occasional flipped over card. I had the pitch but it was inconsistent. Thanks heaps

[@truepokerdealer]

Yeah it really helps stabilize the card in the air.

[@davidbuswa9425]

Thanks for the instructional tutorial, Mark

[@truepokerdealer]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@dseymour49]

Great tutorial thank you!

[@fadeskywards1245]

Absolutely amazing stuff man

[@truepokerdealer]

ty :)

[@truepokerdealer]

Your situation is unfortunately something that many dealers have experienced. It is part of the motivation behind my videos in the first place, so I am especially glad to have helped you in that regard. When I get back to making videos again and finishing this poker dealing series, I am really hoping that anyone in your situation will have all the reference tools to swim instead of sink...if you know what i mean.

[@jessepham6621]

Hey, Mark! Thanks for the great video! I've been learning how to deal from you and the videos have been very helpful! I have a problem though and I was hoping you could help me fix it. When I try to pitch the cards, my middle finger that is used to project the cards outwards SOMETIMES slip underneath the card and it fumbles over. Is there a way I can fix this? Or are there any other easier poker pitches besides the two that you have shown? Thanks!

[@truepokerdealer]

Ha. I had never seen that video before. Those tricks are pretty impressive. They are also far from allowed in any casino for a list of reasons, but that doesn't take away from the awesomeness.

[@truepokerdealer]

The second pitch I teach here uses that theory and by grabbing deeper into the card and more toward the center, you create a situation where your middle finger projects the card around the card's center and you therefore have more control over the spinning card as you pitch. To get the card to jump and spin like I do at 5:44, I just added an upward and slight backward motion while I did it. Like it said, it requires a lot of control.

[@arturoperez6756]

Superb videos mate :D

[@got5at12]

I GUESS PLAYING GUITAR HAS HELPED ME LEARN FAST THANKS TPD.

[@1994ramfan]

If attempting and it's flying up, remember keep the palms facing the ceiling. That helped a lot

[@truepokerdealer]

Yes 100% agree

[@Drahmee]

I'm currently taking a poker course through the casino I work at, and I've been playing for years and dealing other games for 18+. I'm acing everything except pitching. Using your video to fix things, I've shown improvement, but it would be helpful if I had a table-high view from the dealer's position of your right hand. I can usually pitch well, but my finger is not ready for the next card's delivery, thus my pitch speed is much much slower than it should be.

[@user-zh1ge4wt8m]

Thank you for your kind lesson

[@truepokerdealer]

yw!

[@kev_in7225]

ty dude helped me a lot

[@truepokerdealer]

You're welcome!

[@shaundejwan9035]

I like this video, this helpful

[@Rose-ks4ke]

Thank you very much.

[@truepokerdealer]

Maybe down the road. I need to finish poker first though!! If I find a good one out there I will let you know though.

[@TheCliffbrothers]

Great stuff

[@CritiqueParfaite]

very nice tutoriel. thanks from france

[@truepokerdealer]

We recommend getting plastic cards since they last so much longer and, more importantly, since they are used in all poker rooms. Having been in the industry, I haven't had to buy cards for a while, but researching this is on my list of things to do for the site. For now, take a look at Gemaco, Kem, or Copag cards. Everyone has their preference. I think that any of these will get the job done for you to start out. Hope that helped!

[@Gallegolp92]

Hi, I watched your videos and I love them, I'm a left handed and I'm trying to do the same that you but it's kinda tough for me. I'm from Argentina I just wanted to thank you for these videos. PD: Sorry for my english, it's rusty

[@truepokerdealer]

Not nearly as well, but almost well enough to actually deal that way. I do know a few lefties who have learned to deal with both hands, and I also know a few experienced, veteran dealers who have learned to deal with both hands. One of them had a hand injury and it saved them from being out of work for a little over a month!

[@mathdoll182]

Well I was really looking forward to transferring out of table games and heading on over to poker, I knew it would take work and I've been planning every step of it, but I knew the first step was pitch from my poker dealer friends, and this video has definitely showed me I can never be a poker dealer! There's no way I could ever do this. On top of that, it's necessary that I have nails, not long ones but decent mid-sized fake nails in order to be a dealer in table games. It's how I handle chips, it's how I handle cards, it came after a really bad card cut in blackjack class many years ago. It looks like nails couldn't work here which means that absolutely everything that I've done for years in dealing as far as cards and chips would be out the window and I'd have to start beyond below square one. I'm so discouraged 😂😂😂. Definitely has nothing to do with your video though I'm sure it's super helpful, I just don't see any way I could do that. Thank you!

[@flattlandermontgomery1524]

This is driving me crazy because I saw a video somewhere about how to deal poker with nails and now I can't find it. I suggest e-mailing him or contacting him and asking because I know I saw it somewhere.

[@truepokerdealer]

Also just FYI, casinos use so many different cards from so many different companies. They also come in two sizes - poker size (larger) and bridge size (smaller). Some of the cards have great coatings, some of them are ok.

[@TechMetalRules]

Okay, wow... this is kinda awesome.

[@GreatBritishBeast]

Struggling for consistency on this. Started a dealing job this week and haven't gotten closer to that Eureka moment where the feeling of a pitch is replicable. Whilst I was shown the basics, the finer questions about the mechanism, placement, tension of hand/fingers etc weren't expanded on. I generally made my own way on it and ended up finding as best I could on your second method. Couldn't get anything good with the top grab. Feels awful to flick. But the deeper reach was easier and feels that the spin is more naturally achieved from there. I also seemed better pitching low across the table, but controlling the pace/travel was a problem. Pitching with wrists slightly higher where others deal from lead to problems. As a right hand dealer I struggle with swivelling left and shooting straight to seat 2, 3 and 4. To 6, 7 and 8 I'm still naughty and sort of flick it round the corner with more wrist, but it's so easy and accurate. Hopefully I get my eureka moment soon where muscle memory and positioning kick in. Your videos are superb, your teaching style fantastic at the age you were in this video and obviously still now.

[@truepokerdealer]

Thanks for the comments! The reason I teach the second pitch method is because it's a great backup when the first method doesn't work for someone. One day when you are at home, I suggest trying to create your own eureka moment. You are somewhat experienced at this now, so instead of trying to memorize the steps and perform them correctly, take a card in your pitching hand, hold it between your thumb and forefinger like you do and just think about what you are trying to do with it as you deliver it. You want it to come out of your hand spinning smoothly with some speed. You may find that you can figure it out yourself now that you sorta get what you are trying to do. Good luck!

[@truepokerdealer]

Well first, there are a few different ways to pitch. I use the indent that my fingernail creates. Some people use the indent on their fingernail on the side near the first knuckle as well as other spots altogether.

[@truepokerdealer]

Yes, you can absolutely use the skin around your knuckle to pitch with your palm up. I guess when I use the term divot, I really just mean anywhere that your finger can catch the card. If you have the mental endurance, learn a few types of pitches. It will make you more flexible and will impress anyone who ever tries to hire you.

[@truepokerdealer]

First, it has to be done by using the second pitch that I teach. Then, it requires a lot of control, but think of it this way. If you were to take a thumb tac and put a hole with that thumb tac into the very, very center of a card, you would then be able to hold the thumb tac and spin the card perfectly around the tac. While you were spinning the card around the tac, you could move the spinning card in any direction you wanted very smoothly. The card would not wobble or anything...

[@jeanninenine1206]

thank you!!

[@mrslaneful]

Impressive technique

[@truepokerdealer]

Yeah. You aren't the first one to ask that, and I realize I should have put it in this video. In my head, it had made sense to wait until I taught 7 card stud, but really it just makes sense to do both! It may be a little bit before I get to it, but for now, just try using the 2nd pitch that I teach in this video where I grab the card deeper toward the center, but grab the card with your hand upside down and flip it over every time. I will post on here when the update has been made.

[@truepokerdealer]

Thanks!

[@MrBrain4]

Why do my pitches always veer off to the left after a while of flying through the air?

[@arturoperez6756]

when are more videos comming? theyre awsome mate

[@jamcard]

Thanks a lot

[@truepokerdealer]

yw!

[@vusvis]

Make shure that you keep your pinky and ringfinger closed while pitching. In the video he doesn't explicitly say this, but it's quite important

[@itskmillz]

If you don't mind me asking, what difference does this make?

[@jtalistair6725]

Its to ensure you can't deal from the bottom of the deck

[@addictedtocardmagic]

OhManMyBad cards can be dealt off the bottom with the other fingers closed. Jason England demonstrates this on his bottom dealing videos

[@richroehl]

thanks for the 'heads ups' on bottom dealing

[@vaneda101]

Thank you

[@Giesela0815]

thanks

[@truepokerdealer]

thanks!

[@contistamisterioso445]

I don't know if you are answering questions here anymore, but, anyway... what's the right way to pitch the cards to the players at the first and the second positions. I mean, there's some kind of "inverse way" to pitch them, right?

[@b.griffin317]

Hi. Love the videos, but have one question. I have been practicing what you show but have encountered a small flaw in my technique that I can't seem to solve. When I thumb a card off the deck I sometimes accidentally push two cards off at once. I quickly pitch the first card and return the second to the top of the deck with my thumb, but I am afraid an observant player could theoretically observe the corner of the second card this way. It only happens maybe once per deal of a whole deck (cont.)

[@truepokerdealer]

KZbin doesn't seem to allow links or I would have directed you to their websites, but they are easy enough to find. When you buy them, remember that most plastic decks are sold as a setup. They call two decks of different colors a setup, so you will likely be buying two decks at once.

[@idshanks]

Can you elaborate on what you mean by a divot? I'm really unsure what I'm actually looking for - I tried to learn the process, but I think that's what I'm missing, as my projection goes about 45 degrees to the right of my aim, rather than straight ahead.

[@Jivvi]

What brand of cards are you using here? Recently I won a local poker tournament and at the final table they switched from the plain ones they were using for 12 tables to a deck that I think was the same as what you have here, but with a blue back. They were a lot easier to deal with and slide really well.

[@mcfctid2]

I deal 21 and the pitch is slightly different, perhaps you could elaborate on that for BJ dealers wanting to learn Poker. ie forefinger placement and angle of pitch .

[@jongsong7157]

Hi Mark, awesome video! I was wondering if the deck you're using is what some casinos use for poker only? The deck(cards) seem like bigger than what most casinos use in the poker room. Because the cards they use in some poker rooms seem smaller in width and height. Maybe I'm just seeing thing. Please clarify sir.

[@vusvis]

Yep you're right. Poker cards are often a bit wider than regular playing cards. I dont know the reason for this.

[@AceofLumberjack]

can you do a video on drop cutting for craps.

[@SuperFe1]

Would you recommend trying this with the typical deck of playing cards or should I try to get my hands on the casino type decks?

[@truepokerdealer]

The ones in the videos are Copags. I am pretty sure that you can find the exact same card on ebay!

[@rachelpurity1]

Dude, this is hard!! :(

[@evanmph]

I am doing poker training right now. I cannot seem to find that divot on my middle finger to launch the card. I end up flipping the card over as I release.

[@SuperFe1]

Can you pitch just as good with your opposite hand?

[@moose9784]

Hello Marc. How's the Kickstarter campaign going?

[@Lee_Lee73]

Do you suggest waiting until I get a plastic deck of cards to practice pitching and shuffling the cards? The cards I have now are regular paper playing cards and I feel like they're giving me a hard time, especially when I'm pushing in the riffled cards and they don't pitch good.. they kind of float and flail in the air.

[@truepokerdealer]

Good question. I wouldn't say you have to wait until you get plastic to start, but plastic will be a lot easier and smoother. Paper cards that are old are quite challenging to use. New paper cards are fine though. I originally learned to shuffle using casino quality paper cards for table games.

[@dhruvshrivastava9390]

Quick Question. After each poker round, meaning once someone wins the pot, does the dealer take all the cards (even from the muck) and shuffle them again? Meaning does each poker round start out fresh with a full 52 card deck or does the dealer deal the remaining cards?

[@truepokerdealer]

Yes. All 52 cards are shuffled and in a completely new order for every single hand of poker :)

[@filmtajm35]

Hi I wonder, how do you professional guys open a new deck of cards, that is taking off the cellofan and break the seal? Do you have a special trick for that? I remember seeing somethere someone was knocking the deck of cards on the table and that knock broke the cellofan and the seal in one go. It was only to open the flap and bring out the cards. So how do you open a new deck of cards and does anyone know about the knock method and how to do it? Please share.

[@jamiecotton9571]

It's hard to explain and easier to show. When you knock the deck of cards on the table you kind of hold them at an angle or to the side at one corner until the deck pops open.

[@jordanwashington5071]

next video up shows how to wipe yo ass - stay tuned!

[@MrSpectralio]

where to buy such nice poker felts. I have an old poker table of golden palace, but the felt is no longer in good shape. Here in Belgium i only seem to be able to buy these boring monotone felts. It's hard to find one with a betting line or some other form of decoration on it

[@truepokerdealer]

The felt that I have on this table is called Gaming Suede. It was $300 back in 2011. If you can find high quality gaming suede, it can be printed on and it's really nice.

[@truepokerdealer]

Instead, when you moved the card, it would just spin and go where you wanted. However, if you were to put the tac anywhere other than the center of the card, the spinning of the card would not be smooth. The card would wobble like crazy as it spun and the spinning itself would be a lot less stable if you were to try to move the card. Getting a card to spin around itself, makes pitching easier and smoother...

[@JhonDollar21]

NVM I didn't see this was Poker not Black Jack. Awesome Vid.

[@truepokerdealer]

The name of the felt is "gaming suede." I got the table and the felt from Danny Vaittsman. If you look his name up in google, you will find his website (they do not allow links on these comments). His phone number is on the site and you can definitely call him up and ask him all about that stuff. I love the felt, but it is pretty expensive.

[@b.griffin317]

but is there anything I can do? It happens so infrequently it is hard to train against it. I am not training to be a pro dealer, this is just for my own edification as a poker player. I have made a donation at your site.

[@fabriziolai7718]

Great

[@naruclarke]

that is cool....

[@josephherrera6647]

Hello, do you recommend plastic cards for dealing or the regular ones? I order a copeg deck, and a bicycle Prestige, but I don't know how good they are for dealing. Thanks!

[@truepokerdealer]

I never saw this comment. My apologies. Plastic cards are always used in poker. It makes a huge difference. I imagine you got the copags by now. I hope you like them!

[@josephherrera6647]

@@truepokerdealer Thanks for answering, i actually got the bicycle prestige. They are really good too.

[@truepokerdealer]

There are multiple ways to pitch correctly. I would be surprised if the fundamentals of the pitch you learned was not acceptable at a poker table. There may be a couple of small adjustments that you can learn as you go from a logic standpoint though, but they should be easy for you. Don't worry about getting caught up in the rights/wrongs. More often than not, casinos and classrooms teach things to be right or wrong, but there is really a lot of flexibility in the casino world for pitching.

[@jestes7]

So you say the indent on your finger.. is this the indent that you fingernail creates? Because in your video that's what it seems you are using. Also, it seems like you are using the side of the card and not the card itself, is that correct?

[@vratarportirgolman]

Hi Mark, only just started learning. I'll make sure to tip you as soon as I make my initial money dealing. Stay safe.

[@truepokerdealer]

🙏