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Its easy to see below, in just ten of his best tricks.
In 1988, Ricky Jay awes Arsenio with a simple Three Card Monte.
Or so you think.
Ricky quickly switches cards from red to black and back, almost guaranteeing that Arsenio cant win.
Even when the host tries to rig the game, magic prevails.
The two magic enthusiasts remained lifelong friends, making this a particularly special performance.
Doug Hennings World of Magicwas an annual special starring magician Doug Henning, right around Christmas time.
Ricky Jay showed up in 1976, fresh from beating a Guinness World Record for card throwing.
He tosses them high and far, almost defying gravity.
The cards are at his will and sometimes come back to his hand.
In one of several appearances on David Lettermans show, the unshakable Ricky Jay actually pulls the wrong cards.
But he maintains his showmanship and gets it right the next time.
Instead of witnessing this trick, youll have to settle for the story.
There was no coin at all.
Out of the air.
Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistantswas his magic show at the Soho Playhouse in 1994.
During the performance, he invited an astrology fan to join her.
Her card isnt there.
And even a team of wind-up toys cant find it.
Ricky Jay built worlds out of a few playing cards and his words.
Ricky Jay shared a 2002 appearance onLate Night With Conan OBrienwith Jackie Chan.
Later, he attacked a watermelon with cards, managing to land two cards in the same spot.
A feat so impressive, he remarked, I am forced to mention it myself.
In this performance, Ricky Jay provides a history lesson.
He describes the ways different cultures in different eras used the cup and shell trick.
It leaves you wondering How many balls were there?
but its more fun if you believe its just the original three.
With Ricky Jay, its easiest to believe that every night was the luckiest night of his life.
