Abracadabra, hocus pocus, to set a world record you better have focus… like 12 hours worth of machine-consistent, computer-precise focus.

Such was part of John H. Walton’s measured algorithm for Guinness World Records™ success as he dexterously executed 2,784 consecutive complete faro shuffles during a half-day marathon event at the famed Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, USA.

Guinness World Records™ adjudicator Danny Girton Jr. was on site to authenticate the successful inaugural record attempt on 14 August 2009, and personally witnessed Walton interweave hundreds of Gold Seal playing card decks without error to earn the most consecutive complete faro shuffles in 12 hours Guinness World Records™ title.

In a perfect Faro shuffle a playing card deck is split into equal halves of 26 cards, which are then pushed together to a perfect interweave. Once eight (8) flawless faro-out shuffles are performed sequentially, the 52 card deck is restored to its original pre-shuffle order.

14 August 2009