Abstract: A playing card distribution device with microprocessor and scanning circuits. The device has an enclosure for holding a deck of cards, a displacement means powered by a motor with one or more friction attachments that come into contact with the bottom card and cause it to be displaced, a set of photocells to sample the card indicia, a processor to use the sampled card indicia to determine in which direction (or to which holding receptacle) the card is to be displaced. Operation of the system is controlled by a combination of preprinted program cards, ordinary playing cards, and microswitches.