I have mixed feelings about the Optical Shuffle, and am wondering whether it's worth putting in the effort and practice to learn it better.

If you're not sure what I'm talking out, here's Benjamin Earl's version. The Optical Shuffle is taught taught in classic resources like Royal Road to Card Magic[/url] and also in Giobbi's [i]Card College 2.

Personally I wonder if its unorthodox look can draw attention to it. Doesn't the unusual motion make it look a bit fishy? In contrast, something simpler like the GW Hunter Shuffle seems more natural and arguably less obvious.

Or am I missing something here, and is it worth putting in the effort to master it? Does anyone here actively use it? Any reflections on its usefulness and how it compares with other full-deck false shuffles?

It can be very deceptive. Check out some prior Café threads on this.

Definitely learn it and some of the many variants. https://www.conjuringarchive.com/list/se......+shuffle

And the underlying principle can be added to other techniques resulting in some very good looking shuffles.

I did a search prior to posting this thread. I had found this one, but it's more general, and not specifically about the optical shuffle.

Is there a particular thread you can recommend?

Don't know the threads, but how about Kopf's Double Optical Shuffle in The Magic of Johnny Thompson?

I use the optical shuffle that John Carey teaches and it flies by people.

I use Bens Version. Its great and not that hard to learn. You have to find your own rythm. I really recommend his book, less is more.

Regarding your question: I think that most people don't know how a classic overhand shuffle is done.
Compared to a riffle shuffle, the optical shuffle draws no attention. And even if you want your audience to burn your hands, there is nothing to see.
And compared to a lift shuffle, the optical shuffle is way more fluid, once you got it.
There are no broken rythms and its simple.

Optical Overhand False Shuffle
Optical Shuffle

Those threads are from 10-15 years ago, and there's not a huge amount of info and discussion there. But thank you for sharing those, and I have read through them.

I was hoping from some more current thoughts and reflections, and perhaps some more people will still chime in here on this topic.

Like many sleights, I think the deceptiveness has much to do with how well it's performed. Jared Kopf's optical shuffle can be found here:

https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/card-m......ction-1/

And it looks pretty deceptive to me.