Here’s an extra bit to add to your cull. Instead of culling the card as soon as it’s returned, have it returned up-jogged to either the upper half of the deck or the lower half (or the card could just be touched as well). Then you realize that it should be closer to the middle and move the card like this:

This secondary action to reposition the card gives the moment a little extra time to breath instead of doing the move right after the selection is returned. And it kind of acts like a mild low key convincer that the card is in the middle. Don’t rush. It should feel super casual.