John Scarne
Childhood
Born Orlando Carmelo Scarnecchia on March 4, 1903, in Steubenville, Ohio, Scarne grew up in New Jersey, where he dropped out of school after the eighth grade. His early fascination with cards led him to learn Three Card Monte and other gambling scams from a local card sharp. However, his mother, a devout Roman Catholic, discouraged him from cheating and instead encouraged him to pursue magic as a legitimate skill.
Under the mentorship of Nate Leipzig, Scarne refined his sleight-of-hand techniques, eventually becoming one of the most skilled card manipulators of his time. His early exposure to crooked gambling devices, such as marked cards and loaded dice, gave him unique insights into cheating methods—knowledge he later used to expose scams in his books.
Career
Scarne’s career spanned magic, gambling consultancy, and game invention. Key highlights include:
- Magic & Card Tricks Developed signature tricks like "Scarne’s Aces", where he cut to all four aces from a shuffled deck. Performed for high-profile clients, including Arnold Rothstein, Lucky Luciano, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- Gambling Expertise & Writing Authored 28 books, including: Scarne on Dice (1945). Scarne’s New Complete Guide to Gambling (1961), Scarne’s Guide to Modern Poker (1980). His works covered rules, odds, cheating detection, and winning strategies for casino games.
- Military & Casino Consultant Hired by the U.S. Army to educate soldiers on gambling scams during WWII and advised casinos and governments on fair gaming practices.
- Hollywood & Game Invention
Served as a technical advisor for The Sting (1973) and doubled for Paul Newman’s hands in card manipulation scenes.
Invented the board game Teeko, which he considered one of his most outstanding achievements, though it never became commercially successful.
Personal life
Married Steffi Storm (née Norma Kearney) in 1955; they had one son, John Teeko Scarne.
Died on July 7, 1985, in North Bergen, New Jersey, at age 82.
Revenue
While exact earnings are unclear, Scarne’s books were best-sellers, with Scarne’s New Complete Guide to Gambling remaining a definitive reference. His consultancy work for casinos and governments also contributed to his income. However, his game Teeko suffered financial losses due to a warehouse flood destroying inventory.
Interesting facts
Named his son after his game (John Teeko Scarne).
Challenged blackjack card counters, dismissing Edward O. Thorp’s system as "mathematically flawed".
Performed for mobsters but avoided illegal gambling schemes himself.
His card tricks required no sleight of hand, making them accessible to beginners.
Legacy
Scarne’s influence persists in:
- Gambling literature – His books remain essential references.
- Casino security – His insights helped shape anti-cheating measures.
- Magic & cardistry – Magicians still study his tricks.
Frequently asked Questions
No—he was an expert on gambling mechanics but avoided illegal betting. He focused on exposing scams rather than participating in them.
No. He argued that the "Mafia" was a myth and that illegal gambling was run by local operators, not a single syndicate.
Scarne’s New Complete Guide to Gambling (1961), considered the most comprehensive gambling book ever written.
Despite his enthusiasm, Teeko failed commercially because a warehouse flood destroyed stock.
His books exposed cheating methods, leading casinos to adopt better anti-fraud measures.
