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For this two-week new media learning project, I have decided to learn card throwing. Card throwing is the skill of accurately and forcefully throwing standard playing cards so that they can travel long distances, stick into objects like cardboard or fruit, and be aimed with precision. I chose this skill because it is concrete, physical, and realistic to practice over a short time period, yet challenging enough to show noticeable improvement. It is also a skill I have always found impressive but never seriously attempted to learn.

So far, my early research has relied entirely on new media sources, especially YouTube and online communities. YouTube has been the most useful starting point because it provides visual, step-by-step demonstrations of technique. I have watched numerous tutorials that explain different grips (such as the Hermann grip and the Thurston grip), arm motion, wrist snap, and body positioning. Being able to pause, rewind, and rewatch these videos has helped me understand small details that would be difficult to grasp from text alone.

In addition to YouTube, I found a dedicated online community on Reddit, specifically the subreddit r/cardthrowing. This community includes beginners and experienced card throwers who share advice, practice tips, and videos of their progress. Reading posts and comments has helped me understand common beginner mistakes, realistic expectations for progress, and how much practice is required to improve accuracy and distance. I also discovered that there is a VR card-throwing game that simulates the skill, but unfortunately I do not have a VR headset, so I cannot use that resource at this time.

Over the next two weeks, I plan to continue using YouTube tutorials and the Reddit card throwing community as my primary learning tools. I believe YouTube will be the most helpful source overall because it offers direct visual instruction, while Reddit will be useful for feedback, motivation, and troubleshooting specific problems I encounter.

Below is a short video demonstrating my baseline skill level. This video shows my initial attempts at throwing cards before any serious practice. At this stage, my throws lack power and accuracy, but documenting this starting point will make it easier to measure my improvement as I continue learning.

References

YouTube card throwing tutorial videos

Reddit community: r/cardthrowing

https://www.reddit.com/r/cardthrowing/