Combination discard rack and multi-deck card loader for use with an automatic card shuffling machine

A card loading apparatus comprising:

• a top member with a handle;
• a pair of spaced gripper members attached to, and extending from, said top member, said gripper members able to separate and contract, said pair of spaced gripper members each having a ledge near a bottom thereof for supporting a stack of cards;
• and
• a card-stack rear support attached to, and extending from said top member, said pair of spaced gripper members and card-stack rear support defining a card-holding space.

A card discard rack comprising:

• a top member with a handle;
• a bottom member;
• a central receptacle comprising a rear wall and two side walls;
• a pair of spaced gripper members attached to, and extending from, said top member to removable attachment with said bottom member, said gripper members able to separate and contract, said pair of spaced gripper members each having a ledge near a bottom thereof for supporting a stack of cards;
• and
• wherein said pair of spaced gripper members define a card-holding space.