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John Scarne

John Scarne

(March 4, 1903 - July 7, 1985)

He was born Orlando Carmelo Scarnecchia in Steubenville, Ohio. Leaving school after the eighth grade, he learned as a teenager how to perform card tricks like three-card monte and to gamble using cards and dice. His mother, disappointed in how he was making his money, encouraged him to take up magic instead. He soon started making money at card tricks.

Scarne became quite an expert at tricks and games of all kinds. Articles were written about him in various magazines, and he was hired as a consultant or advisor by various companies. He wrote 15 books on magic, gambling and games. He served as a technical advisor in the 1973 motion picture, "The Sting", and doubled for actor Paul Newman's hands during scenes that involved card manipulations and deck switching.

John invented many games. He was especially proud of one called Teeko, which he invented in 1945, re-invented in 1952 and modified in the 1960s. He was so proud of the game that he named his son John Teeko Scarne. But he never made a profit on the game, and it is now virtually unknown.

Coauthors: Audley V. Walsh, Dr. Jacob Daley

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John Scarne
Power of Thought by John Scarne

Over the years, many have (incorrectly) assumed that the "Power of Thought" effect that Scarne enjoyed performing uses the same method as the version described in the Scarne On Card Tricks book. This is not the case, as you'll be pleased to discover if you buy this ebook. This is the version Scarne himself used and (unlike the version in the mass market book), this method doesn't rely on swapping cards in your pocket. Indeed, you need not wear a jacket at all; you can perform this effect in your swim trunks if you're so inclined.

This method was originally offered by Scarne to magicians in a 1950 pre-publication...

★★★★ $5
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John Scarne
Quartet by John Scarne

It's a devilishly clever method with four different presentations. You'll likely think of several more. There's a You-Do-As-I-Do effect, a Card Climax, a Phone Miracle, and Scarne's Best Prediction. No sleights. Simple, sure, and direct. Can be worked surrounded by spectators and dead easy to perform. All you require is the instructions, as no gimmicks are used. Use anyone's cards.

If you think that the pandemic is limiting your performance opportunities, you'll especially like Scarne's Phone Miracle. All you need is a spectator with a smartphone or landline. And, unlike virtually every...

★★★★★ $8
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John Scarne
10 Best Proposition Bets of America's Bigtime Gamblers (used) by John Scarne

Softcover book with coil-binding and a clear cover. For details on the contents see the digital edition.

$20
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John Scarne
10 Best Proposition Bets of America's Bigtime Gamblers by John Scarne

A proposition bet is one which appears to give the taker an even chance and at times the best of it, but does just the opposite. Like con men, proposition gamblers pretend to be pleasant, friendly, easy-going, good fellows who would never think of double-crossing anyone. They also usually pretend that their prepared proposition bets are something they just happened to think up on the spot. They take great pleasure in beating seasoned gamblers; money is not the main objective. It's the prestige and self-satisfaction they derive from having outsmarted a top gambler, be he friend or foe.

While...

★★★★★ $10
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John Scarne & Dr. Jacob Daley
Think A Card by John Scarne & Dr. Jacob Daley

From noted card man and gaming expert John Scarne comes this clean-cut triple prediction miracle effect that will build a reputation for you. No difficult sleights. Simple, sure and direct. The publisher had been after Scarne for years to release this clever item, before he finally agreed.

Any deck of cards is shuffled by anyone and spread out on the table face up. Two spectators and the performer each merely think of a card and you write a prediction on small slips of paper for each card thought of. The thought-of cards are pushed out of the pack and the predictions are placed on top of...

★★★★★ $4
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John Scarne
John Scarne's Newsletter by John Scarne

In January 1976 John Scarne started a monthly newsletter. It had eight pages per issue and covered all forms of gambling, from casino games like Blackjack to sports betting (horses, baseball, basketball) as well as the casual gambling at home with friends. You can even find some magic tricks explained.

End of 1976 John sent out a renewal notice asking all charter members to renew their newsletter. He was even promising 15 issues for $24 to the charter members, or subscribe for two years for only $30.

He must have received very few renewals because he published just one more issue, volume...

★★★★ $13
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Audley V. Walsh & John Scarne
Three Card Monte: John Scarne explains why you can't win by Audley V. Walsh & John Scarne

This is a treatise on the sucker effects of the Three Card Monte. It starts with an intro by Nate Leipzig, includes a definition of gambling terms and goes on to explain moves, routines and schemes to work the Three Card Monte. John Scarne was a master in performing and demonstrating this sucker effect. Learn everything about it in this digital reproduction, either to be aware of the various ways this can be played and thus be protected, or to learn to perform it for entertainment purposes.

From the preface by Nate Leipzig:

For those who are not acquainted with Mr. John Scarne, I wish to say that...

★★★★ $5
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John Scarne
Scarne Compilation by John Scarne

Included in this compilation are all 13 issues of the extremely rare John Scarne's Newsletter as well as the ebook Three Card Monte which was not written by Scarne, but he provided all the contents for it.

$90
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John Scarne
Scarne on Cards by John Scarne

How to win at Poker, Gin, Pinochle, Blackjack and many other games.

Scarne on Cards is not only a fundamental reference and rule ebook; it is a dependable guide for anyone who wants to avoid being victimized by cheating and sharp practice, and for anyone who wants to play a better game and thereby improve his chances of winning.

"John Scarne is to games what Dr. Einstein is to advanced physics." - John Lardner, in Newsweek

"John Scarne is the most expert exponent of wonderful card effects and table work that I have ever seen in my life." - Nate Leipzig

"John Scarne's one-man expose...

★★★★★ $12
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John Scarne
Scarne's Encyclopedia of Games by John Scarne

Here is the most complete, most authoritative reference ebook on games available. Just about every game you can think of - in all, more than 1000 games and their variations - is described, together with the latest rules and easy-to-follow instructions. And to add to your enjoyment, here are hundreds of play-to-win tips from John Scarne, the famous authority on games and gambling.

In the more than 600 double-column, oversize pages you will find many old favorites as well as newly invented games including gambling games, variations of solitaire, social games, board games, and parlor games to...

$12
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John Scarne
Scarne's New Complete Guide to Gambling by John Scarne

The world still recognizes the legendary John Scarne as the most authoritative expert on gambling who ever lived. Author of dozens of books on the subject, Scarne collected and distilled everything he knew in this, the most comprehensive book on gambling ever written. Since its publication in 1961 and subsequent new editions, Scarne's New Complete Guide to Gambling has been far and away the best-selling book of its kind.

As gambling consultant to several governments and many of the world's top casinos, Scarne knew the world of gambling from the inside out, with access to many of the most...

$15
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John Scarne
Scarne's Encyclopedia of Card Games by John Scarne

This encyclopedia is the essential, all-inclusive guide to card playing. Here is everything you ever wanted to know about the histories and variations of the world's most popular card games:

  • Draw Poker & Stud Poker
  • Bridge, Whist & Euchre
  • Canasta, Pinochle, Cribbage, Hearts & All-Fours
  • Baccarat, Chemin de Fer, Card Craps, Quince, Black Jack, Faro, Monte & Bezique
  • Solitaire, Old Maid & Others
Plus you will learn many card games for children and families, odds and probabilities of getting the hands you want. There is also a solid chapter on how to detect cheating, a complete glossary...
$9.90
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John Scarne
Scarne on Dice by John Scarne

This is probably the most important work John Scarne wrote. It is complete and authoritative. In this revised edition John provides the reader with a complete look at the world of dice, including for the first time an insider's view of how dice games are played at the Atlantic City casinos.

Scarne covers the history of modern dice and their earliest uses in games, and then analyzes the mathematics behind gambling to give players a solid foundation in odds and percentages. The most popular forms of dice games are then studied in detail. Bank Craps Las Vegas style gets full treatment with coverage...

★★★★★ $12
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John Scarne
The Amazing World of John Scarne by John Scarne

The Amazing World of John Scarne holds revelations and experiences in gambling, magic, carnival and show business; together with startling disclosures about hypnotism, extra-sensory perception and other mental effects.

The once world's number one expert on gambling tells in this no-punches-pulled, startlingly frank book the whole inside story of gambling, and reveals all the dodges, gimmicks and tricks used by cheaters at dice, cards, roulette and other games of chance. His sensational revelations extend also to magic and escape tricks, to the chicaneries of carnivals and even to the blasting...

$19
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John Scarne
Scarne on Card Tricks by John Scarne

Scarne describes 155 easy to do tricks with cards. No sleight of hand skill whatsoever is required in these tricks. But don't assume that this makes them weak effects.

For this book Scarne obtained from Dunninger, Cardini, Dai Vernon, Francis Carlyle, Cliff Green, Russel Swan, Nate Leipzig, Thurston, Houdini and other famous magicians and card experts the secrets of some of their most notable tricks and effects. Together with these he has included many entirely new creations of his own. The demonstrations and explanations of the tricks are accompanied by illustrations. In addition, Scarne has included full instructions on...

★★★★ $8
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John Scarne
Scarne's Guide to Modern Poker by John Scarne

This ebook can change your gambling future! John Scarne, who is widely recognized as greatest gambling expert, reveals the secrets and strategies you need to increase your enjoyment - and winnings - at the world's popular card game.

Scarne lays down the rules of all 117 forms of poker, including the latest variations, making this ebook invaluable as a source of new games and as the final arbiter of all disputes. Where at one time the ultimate verdict on rules was "according to Hoyle," today it is "according to Scarne." You will learn how to:

  • Bet like an expert.
  • Protect yourself from poker...
$7
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John Scarne
The Woman's Guide to Gambling by John Scarne

This is a sound gambling primer covering Blackjack, Bingo, Poker, Craps, Gin, Lotteries and Sweepstakes, Horseracing, Keno, Numbers, Slot Machines and Roulette. John also touches in various places on cheating and game protection.

From the inside flap of the book:

If you are one of the 48 million American woman who gamble - whether in private homes, clubs, Bingo halls, gambling casinos, poker rooms, or at the racetrack, in the numbers game, or in lotteries - then John Scarne's The Woman's Guide to Gambling is the book written specifically for you. Mr. Scarne, the world's foremost expert...

$7
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John Scarne
Scarne's Magic Tricks by John Scarne

This ebook describes 201 easy to do but effective tricks covering a wide range including feats of mentalism, tricks with paper and parts of your body.

From the inside flap of the original book:

John Scarne shows in this ebook how magic that is completely mystifying to the spectator can be as simple as ABC for the performer. From his own immense repertoire of tricks and from the specialities of other great magicians, he has selected the master-deceptions, the best tricks that can be done without skill, training, or special equipment - if you know the secret.

John Scarne is probably the...

★★★★★ $7
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John Scarne
The Mafia Conspiracy by John Scarne

Some say that John Scarne worked with and for the Mafia, because gambling and the Mafia are often thought as tightly linked. Others will be convinced by Scarne's collection of facts and reasoning in this ebook, that there never was a Mafia. Either way you read this ebook, it is a fascinating recollection of past events around crime, politics and gambling.

You might ask why is this ebook in the gambling section? The reason is twofold. One, Scarne details several interesting gambling facts and stories in this ebook (ex. a gambling glossary), and two it helps to understand the person John Scarne...

$12
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John Scarne
Scarne on Teeko by John Scarne

Teeko was the most successful game Scarne invented. There were many Teeko clubs and tournaments in the US and abroad. Even Orson Welles was an avid Teeko player. Despite its initial success and clever game design, Teeko has fallen out of favor and only a small fan community remains and plays Teeko today.

Teeko reminds me on the game 4-in-a-row since winning patterns are four in a row horizontally, vertically or diagonally, as well as four pieces in a square. But since pieces can be moved after the initial placement phase, it borrows from checkers and chess. It is also quite similar to the...

$9
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John Scarne
Skarney by John Scarne

From the back cover:

John Scarne, the world's foremost game authority, proudly presents Skarney, his new fantastic card game creation. Skarney is the first really new basic card game concept of this century. It can be played in 30 different ways, each a terrific game in itself. In fact, additional strategy, excitement and flavor are added to each new game played. Skarney is not only a true partnership game, but a true single-handed game that can be played by two to six players, each playing for himself. It has bluff as in Poker, scores like Canasta, and is played like no other game. It has...

★★★★ $12
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John Scarne
Scarney Dice by John Scarne

John Scarne invented many games. None had any lasting success, although many of them a very clever inventions. This is a collection of games with dice.

From the back cover:

Scarney Dice, the fantastic, new dice era, is without a doubt the greatest contribution to dice playing since the invention of dice back in the prehistoric Neanderthal days. There are forty terrific, exciting, new kinds of dice games for home, club, and casion that may be played with the Scarney Dice. Included among this group of fantastic skill and chance games are Scarney Dice, Scarney Poker Dice, Scarney Duplicate...

$10
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John Scarne
The Odds Against Me by John Scarne

If he'd had a touch of larceny in him, he could have been the number one card sharp of all time. Instead, the author of these fabulous memoirs, born to a mother who considered gambling the "devil's tool," puts his extraordinary gifts to far different purpose.

He has used his incredible gambling sense, his miraculously dexterous fingers, his brilliant mathematical mind, his fascination with carnival and gambling life, to become America's number one authority on gambling and odds.

He was the greatest practitioner and analyst of card and dice sleight of hand. His artistry impressed FDR as...

★★★★ $19
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Displaying 1 to 23 (of 23 products)