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Abstract

A method and apparatus for the continous shuffling of discarded playing cards is disclosed which greatly reduces the dead time caused by the casino dealer having to manually shuffle four to six decks of playing cards, in addition, to virtually eliminating a participant from using the technique known as card counting while playing the game of blackjack. The shuffling apparatus continuously intermixes the discarded playing cards into the undealt decks during game play under the program control of a computer. An addressable storage device, i.e., a carousel, for storing the shuffled playing cards in radially arranged spaces during game play is provided. The computer generates random card selection from the spaces of the storage device for replenishing dealing shoe storage on a one-for-one basis and generates random selection of empty spaces in the storage device for generating the shuffling sequence in inserting discarded playing cards therein.