John Scarne (/?sk?rni/; March 4, 1903 – July 7, 1985) was an American magician and book author who was particularly adept at playing card manipulation. He became known as an expert on cards and other games, and authored a number of popular books on cards, gambling, and related topics.
Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume One, 1981-1985, pages 704-706. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998.
2
He was best friends from childhood (and business partners later in in life) with World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Jimmy Braddock, whose life story was portrayed by Russell Crowe in Cinderella Man (2005).
3
His last name is pronounced Skar-ney.
4
First billed himself as "The Magician Who Fooled Magicians.".
5
Is considered the world's foremost authority on gambling.
6
Shortened his last name to Scarne at the advice of a friend when he began performing magic.
7
Was hailed by top magicians as one of the world's greatest card manipulators of his time.
8
Revolutionized card magic by performing them under the noses of magicians with a borrowed deck of cards.
9
Was able to pull aces out of an unprepared, unmarked deck of cards, a feat that to this day remains unmatched.
10
First open card counter in blackjack and the first person banned from playing the game at Bugsy Siegel's Flamingo Casino in Las Vegas.
11
Was an advisor to numerous casinos around the world.
12
Devised the blackjack shoe used today in casinos around the world.
13
During World War II, helped prevent GIs from getting fleeced by crooked gamblers by educating them on card and dice hustling techniques.
14
His son, John Teeko Scarne, died of cancer in 1981.
$6 Million
