<P> A common procedure is that after the cards have been shuffled , the dealer sets the cards face - down on the table near the player designated to make the cut , typically the player to the dealer 's right . That player initiates a cut of the deck by taking a contiguous range of cards off the top of the deck and placing it face - down on the table closer to the dealer ; the dealer completes the cut by taking the original bottom portion of the deck and placing it on top of the just - moved cards . Once the cut is complete , the dealer picks up the deck , straightens or `` squares '' it , and deals the cards . </P>
do you cut cards to the left or right
typically the player to the dealer 's right