Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Best Shuffling method

At the begining of round one in a tournament, if there's time, I'd suggest 5/6/10 piling 4 or 5 times to get all of the cards randomized after deck check.
 
Ky00ber the III said:
Slow_deck that's exactly what I'm saying.

I go like this: stack--->shuffle--->cut-->offer opponent to do the same

The stacking part is only I'm so fearful of energy getting stuck together and even with this method it still happens.
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If by "shuffle" you mean using one of the many other techniques here for five minutes...

Yeah, you're golden. ;) I tried doing it the way you did at League and was called on it. I mean, I even advised others because it just was not clicking. I guess at the time I took sufficient randomization to equal "even spread"... when it really is just sufficient randomization. Stacking is not random. Shuffling quick few times after "weaving" (to borrow the Magic term) is still not sufficiently randomized: I don't know the actual odds, but experience has taught me that out of the 20 clusters of Pokemon-Energy-Trainer (or PET) piles, most will stay intact. This isn't on the level of the stacking techniques I've been warned about in Yu-Gi-Oh (where a 40 card deck can be set-up to pile shuffle into an exact five card opening), but it trades off perfect opens for just a hard to disrupt "good" open, its well worth it.

If it still doesn't make sense, here's what really convinced me: I asked myself "If this is ensuring as random a result as the other methods... then why do I do it when it takes longer?" The answer was clear. "I am doing this so that I get an even distribution of my cards and thus a better quality opening hand."

Quite frankly, I have learned blind shuffling is the best: if cards "clump" and it hurts you, as long as you were blind shuffling it was technically supposed to happen. Bad draws are an inherent part of TCGs. On the other hand, if I go through and "break up" clumps, I am intentionally trying to lessen one result for my shuffle, and indeed that defeats the purpose of randomization. Plus, when the items still clump, you just feel stupid for wasting time. I know I do. XD
 
Otaku said:
(cut for length)

Quite frankly, I have learned blind shuffling is the best: if cards "clump" and it hurts you, as long as you were blind shuffling it was technically supposed to happen. Bad draws are an inherent part of TCGs. On the other hand, if I go through and "break up" clumps, I am intentionally trying to lessen one result for my shuffle, and indeed that defeats the purpose of randomization. Plus, when the items still clump, you just feel stupid for wasting time. I know I do. XD
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I was reading through this and was going "uh, huh" and "so? then I reached the last two sentences. Yes I do feel stupid when I get hands with pokemon and 4 energies in them.

So, what type of blind shuffling do you think is best?
 
Didn't someone in a similar thread a few months ago (a magic player) say:

7-card pile shuffle
hand shuffle
7-card pile shuffle
hand shuffle
7-card pile shuffle
hand shuffle

was like the perfect randomization or something?
 
there is no such thing as 'perfect randomization' because for it to be perfect it couldn't be random lol. that might be his favorite way to randomize, and it is a very extensive randomization, but it isn't 'perfect'.
 
You can play a game of 60 card pick up on the table. :lol: Your opponent will look at you like you're crazy, but it's fun to see the look on his/her face. :lol: Then do their deck the same way for that WTF effect. :lol:
 
kwisdumb said:
Pre and post-game you should pile shuffle to the six (meaning, lay out 6 piles of ten cards, one by one) this will ensure randomization.

During the game, I would hold your deck in your hand horizontally on it's side and pick up a chunk and drop it into another spot, rinse, and repeat.

Also, play with KMCs. :)
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kmc's are terrible. players choice are better. i say this because kmc has diminished in quality over the years.
 
Ky00ber the III said:
So, what type of blind shuffling do you think is best?
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Yes, answering a question a month late...

I prefer to do about a 5 to 30 second "loose" side shuffle (depending on mood and time, mostly) then pile shuffle (I tend to vary on sizes - again depending on mood or time) and finish off with another 5 to 30 seconds of loose side shuffling (again, time/mood dependent). Sometimes I'll pile shuffle five 12 card piles, sometimes six 10 card, occasionally even 10 six card piles. By not restricting myself to the exact same amount, I avoid it becoming ritualized and have to think a little - kind of like a mental stretching while I ensure I still have all 60 cards in my deck. It can also be good if I am too excited or even agitated (like when I am doing poorly) at a tournament: forcing me to stop, take my time, and breathe.

When I am having a lucky stretch or playing a more competitive deck, this can be very helpful in fending off stacking accusations. I also try to be courteous and take my opponent and how much time we have into consideration, be it League or a tournament: some people aren't able to stay the whole time for League play and it is supposed to be a fun, laid back atmosphere - shuffling for more than a minute or two can be as excessive and annoying as it is in tournament play. And of course, if I am really excited I might just rush through anyway (whether that hurts or helps me XD) and that's when you usually see me going with all the fastest shuffles... sometimes ignoring the pile part (my bad). :redface:
 
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