1. A card handling apparatus comprising: a card holding area comprising a support structure for supporting a group of cards thereon; a card mover configured and positioned to move cards out of the card holding area through the opening; an opening through a wall of the card holding area for passage of cards from the card holding area therethrough; and a blocking element movable between a first position to prevent cards from passing from the card holding area through the opening and a second position to allow cards to pass from the card holding area through the opening.