Sort Options

Ascending and Descending Sorts

These options are both available from the Main Menu, during normal operation of the program as well as during Free Selection Mode. As the name suggests, what these commands do is sort the cards remaining in the pack, depending on the numerical ordering of the associated image files.

Both the ascending and descending sort options also sort the cards so that they are all the correct way up - i.e. no reversed cards.

New Random Sort

This option gives the user a way to start with a randomized deck in which any ordering of the cards is equally likely. This is because, unlike with the Shuffle options this does not start from an ordered deck. The Shuffle options start with an ordered deck and apply a series of shuffling algorithms, whereas this option builds a deck up from scratch by selecting random cards.

Another significant difference with this method is that it does not use a random number generator to determine the random sequence, it does it based on tiny variations in the user's mouse movements. To achieve this the program continually harvests random data and stores it in a series of five "batteries" for when a new randomly confected deck is required by this function.

For this reason the function is only available when there are sufficient random numbers stored in this way, but in practice that is almost always because even quite small mouse movements generate a lot of useable data. It is possible to "trick" the system by clicking on the New Random Sort option five times in quick succession (you can also use the Control+Shift+S keyboard combination). This will exhaust the stored "batteries" and on a sixth time the following form will appear:

You can see how moving the mouse replenishes the "batteries" for when they are required again.

Random Sort v. Shuffling You may be unsure whether to use the Random Sort option or to shuffle the deck with the tools provided for that. In general the shuffle options are completely adequate and provide a more thoroughly shuffled deck than a human dealer would be likely to achieve. In addition the shuffle options include features that include a certain amount of user interaction such as the Timed Shuffle or Seeded Shuffle. The shuffle options also allow the possibility of reversed cards, which the Random sort does not.

The Random Sort option was not even included in the program until around version 7.0. Nevertheless it is popular with the random number purists who requested the feature. In conclusion if you are more interested in having an experience that is akin to using a physical deck, then use the Shuffle options. If you are more interest in a perfectly pure random sort, use this.

More information about the standard shuffle options.