British magician David Willmott breaks 2009 official world record for 'perfect' card shuffling by a huge margin, achieving the largest number of consecutive, perfect 'Faro' shuffles in the world on April 6, 2010.

PRESS DISPENSARY - Thursday, Apr 08, 2010 - British magician David Willmott (http://www.davidwillmott.com ) has this week beaten the official world record for 'perfect' card shuffling by a massive margin. On April 6, 2010, he achieved the largest number of consecutive, perfect 'Faro' shuffles in the world at his record-breaking session at Illusions Magic Bar in Bristol.

The previous record - achieved in Hollywood by John Walton in August 2009 - was 2,784 'Faro' shuffles in 12 hours. David kicked this well and truly into touch, starting his attempt at 9am and completing 2,784 'Faro' shuffles in just 7 hours 10 minutes and 15 seconds. He then went on to complete 2,904 shuffles before taking a break at 4.35pm. On resuming the session at 5.15, he raised the record to 3,200 shuffles, at which point he stopped (at 6.15pm), having well and truly become the new world record holder. And where his predecessor had changed regularly to clean, specialist decks, David used just one deck of cards - a run-of-the-mill United States Playing Card Company Bicycle deck, bought locally.

A perfect 'Faro' shuffle is one in which each individual card is slid between two others in each shuffle, meaning that eight consecutive shuffles returns the deck to its original order. One mistake of one card in any one shuffle, at any time, would have invalidated the whole record attempt.

David Willmott's record-breaking session was witnessed, photographed and videoed. Guinness World Records has been formally notified and is expected to adjudicate the record within 6 weeks.

David Willmott says: "I work full-time as a magician and the sleight of hand practised over many years in my close-up table magic proved invaluable when beating the world record for perfect Faro shuffles. I'm happy to bring this world record to the UK."

Notes for editors

About David Willmott

David is a full-time, professional magician and entertainer based in Bristol and London, catering for clients across England and Wales. He works his close-up magic at functions ranging from award presentations to weddings, anniversaries and Bar Mitzvahs. David's modern style and sleight of hand prove engaging and he can move freely amongst guests at drinks receptions and seated dinners, using items such as playing cards, coins and mobile phones to work his magic. David is an Equity member.

About the world record for Faro shuffles

Defined as such:

• This record is for the most complete perfect Faro shuffle cycles in 12 hours.

• This record is to be attempted by an individual.

• In a perfect Faro shuffle, the deck is split into equal halves of 26 cards which are then pushed together so they interweave perfectly.

• When eight perfect Faro shuffles are performed in a row, then the deck of 52 cards will be restored to the original order. This counts as one cycle.

Guidelines for most consecutive, complete, perfect Faro shuffles in 12 hours

• Standard 52 pack playing cards must be used. Multiple sets of cards may be used during the 12 hour period.

• The claimant must mark the side of each deck of cards use (i.e. writing the claimant's name in marker pen). This makes it easier for witnesses to confirm that a Faro shuffle cycle has been completed correctly.

• The attempt begins with the cards in a single stack and the markings in the correct and original order and with the stack of cards in the hand of the person making the attempt.

• If a cycle of the shuffle is incorrect the attempt is over and the number of correct cycles counted towards the record.

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