Multi-deck automatic card shuffler configured to shuffle cards for a casino table game card game such as baccarat

An automatic card shuffler comprising:

• a processor configured to control certain automatic card shuffler operations associated with a Baccarat game;
• a housing having at least a partial dealing shoe;
• a first shuffler device having a first pre-shuffle bin configured to receive a first group of cards, said first shuffler device configured to:
• (i) randomly select cards from any position within said first group of cards;
• (ii) separate said first group of cards into two portions;
• and (iii) move said randomly selected card from one of said two portions of cards;
• a second shuffler device having a second pre-shuffle bin configured to receive a second group of cards, said second shuffler device configured to:
• (i) randomly select cards from any position within said second group of cards;
• (ii) separate said second group of cards into two portions;
• and (iii) move said randomly selected card from one of said two portions of cards;
• a card-receiving area into which individually and randomly selected cards from said first group of cards and said second group of cards are moved by said first shuffler device and said second shuffler device, respectively;
• a card flipper positioned in said card-receiving area, said card flipper configured to rotate a pre-established number of said individually and randomly selected cards against a face plate of said partial dealing shoe, said number of pre-established cards dictated by rules of said Baccarat game and sufficient to play a round of said Baccarat game given corresponding burn card variations;
• and
• a buffer-holder member proximate to said card-receiving area, said buffer-holder member configured to maintain said pre-established individually and randomly selected cards against said face plate after said card flipper returns to a home position to receive additional individually and randomly selected cards from said first group of cards and said second group of cards are moved into said card-receiving area by said first shuffler device and said second shuffler device, respectively.

A method of shuffling cards comprising:

• configuring an automatic card shuffler for:
• (i) receiving a first group of cards in a first pre-shuffle bin and a second group of cards in a second pre-shuffle bin;
• (ii) randomly selecting at least one card from any position within said first group of cards and said second group of cards;
• (iii) separating said first group of cards or said second group of cards into two separate portions based on the at least one randomly selected card from step (ii);
• (iv) moving said at least one randomly selected card from one of said two separate portions of cards into a common card-receiving area and on to a card flipper;
• (v) responsive to a pre-established number of cards being moved into said card-receiving area, moving said card flipper to force said pre-established number of cards against a face plate of a dealing shoe;
• (vi) moving a buffer-holder member against said pre-established number of cards to maintain said pre-established number of cards against said face plate;
• and
• (vii) moving said card flipper back to a home position to receive additional cards being moved into the card-receiving area while maintaining said buffer-holder member against said pre-established number of cards.

A method of shuffling cards comprising:

• configuring an automatic Baccarat card shuffler for:
• (i) receiving a first group of cards in a first pre-shuffle bin and a second group of cards in a second pre-shuffle bin, said first group of cards and second group of cards numbering in combination four decks of cards or six decks of cards;
• (ii) randomly selecting cards in said first group of cards and said second group of cards;
• (iii) moving said randomly selected cards from said first group of cards and said second group of cards into a common card-receiving area and on to a card flipper;
• (iv) responsive to a pre-established number of cards being moved into said card-receiving area, moving said card flipper to force said pre-established number of cards against a face plate of a dealing shoe, said pre-established number of cards sufficient to play a round of Baccarat according to game rules and burn card variations;
• (v) moving a buffer-holder member against said pre-established number of cards to maintain said pre-established number of cards against said face plate;
• and
• (vi) moving said card flipper back to a home position to receive additional cards being moved into the card-receiving area while maintaining said buffer-holder member against said pre-established number of cards, said additional cards sufficient, along with unused cards from said pre-established number of cards to play a next round of Baccarat.