Methods of making and using hand-forming card shufflers

A method of using a card shuffler, comprising:

• inputting playing cards into the card shuffler utilizing a card input mechanism;
• placing the playing cards into a temporary card storage within the card shuffler;
• outputting at least one playing card from the temporary card storage into an output compartment utilizing a card output mechanism;
• and
• maintaining an orientation of the at least one playing card at a downward angle of between about 2° and about 15° relative to a horizontal plane at all times as the at least one playing card moves from the temporary card storage into the output compartment.

A method of operating an automatic card shuffler, comprising:

• causing, utilizing a card input mechanism, playing cards to be moved from a card input area to a temporary card storage;
• forming, in response to placing a control system of the automatic card shuffler in a first operational mode, a first number of playing card hands in a corresponding first number of designated card storage compartments of the temporary card storage responsive to placing the control system in the first operational mode;
• and
• forming, in response to placing the control system of the automatic card shuffler in a second operational mode, a second, different number of playing card hands in a corresponding second number of designated card storage compartments of the temporary card storage responsive to placing the control system in the second operational mode, the card storage compartments of the second number of designated card storage compartments being distinct from the card storage compartments of the first number of designated card storage compartments.