Richard Turner’s Royal Flushes:

50 Years of Comments from Magicians, Card Mechanics,

Celebrities, Family Members, Friends, and the Masses

FIRST DECK OF ROYAL FLUSHES

ACE OF SPADES: The Mentor

“Having seen countless numbers of card experts execute for over eighty years, I
consider Richard Turner to be by far the most skillful. He performs the most difficult
moves with the greatest ease. I doubt if anyone can equal him.”
Professor Dai Vernon, Richard’s Mentor -- Met 1975

KING OF SPADES: Hippy

“For a time, Rick lived in the living room of our small one-bedroom apartment. We had
to help him do little things like put something on before walking outside in the morning
and spitting in the garden. He usually accomplished this by wrapping the bedsheet
around himself.”
Glen Hansen -- Actor Director -- Met 1972

QUEEN OF SPADES: For Years

“Rick will sit in the same position, in the same chair, at the same table, working on the
same move not for hours, nor days, nor weeks, nor months, but for years! There is an
orb of serenity that envelops him physically, mentally, and spiritually when he works at
his cards like this. He does it with lack of complaint and a staying power that defies
human understanding.”
Kim Turner, Beautiful Wife of over three Decades -- Met 1990

JACK OF SPADES: That’s Incredible

“it was at the Aladdin when I was first exposed to Richard Turner’s exemplary sleight of
hand. It was many years ago on television’s that’s Incredible. The next day when I went
into the Aladdin everyone was talking about this guy on TV that brought the house
down.
Steve Forte, Card Mechanic/Casino Protection Expert -- Met 1990

10 OF SPADES: Mentalist
“The show I co-starred with Richard in was called Conned. The idea for the segment
with Richard was that he would come out, perform card cheating techniques at the
table, and then we would tell people he was blind, but only after the performance. The
audience believed that this was a con. They could not believe this man could not see.
The con then had a triple layer to it… First, Richard conned them in the game…Second,
they are told not only did he con them, but he was able to convince them he could
see…Third, they were still conned because they believed he could see.”
Banachek -- Met 2007

ACE OF DIAMONDS: Sheer Skill

“In my 45 years as the President of the Magic Castle, people repeatedly say of Richard
Turner that ‘it is the most astounding act of sheer skill they have ever witnessed.”’
Milt Larsen Magic Castle Founder -- Met 1975

KING OF DIAMONDS: Fighter

“When Rick first started training, I told everybody ‘don’t knock him out don’t injure him.’
But then Rick started hitting people, and he liked it!”
Grand Master Sensei John Murphy -- Met 1971

QUEEN OF DIAMONDS: Old Soul

“I’ve known Rick since we were five years old. In high school we were in the drama
department. Rick was very dedicated to his craft even as a teenager. Rick seemed like
an old soul even as a 16-year-old boy. I faked like I understood most of his conversation
but clearly he was wise beyond his years, and I was just glad he liked talking to me.”
Holly Crest-Vogel -- Met 1959

JACK OF DIAMONDS: Some Jerk

“I heard on the loudspeaker, ‘Will the gentleman in the blue shirt please quit hitting golf
balls at the pro shop!’ Needless to say, as I made it back toward Rick, I noticed that he
had a penchant to turn to the left a few degrees after every swing. A few swings later he
was aiming right at the pro shop, and connecting quite well with line drives, no less! I
said, Hey, Cheat, did you hear that guy over the loudspeaker?” Rick said, ‘Yeah. Some
jerk is hitting golf balls at him…he doesn't like it.’
I said, "Rick, do you know what color shirt you have on?" ‘Oh, crud,’ Rick said shocked,
‘It’s not blue, is it?’
Rick shot a 122 on a very difficult course. All I did was hand him a club, line him up, and
he did the rest. The day was capped off when The Cheat drained a thirty-five-foot putt
on the last hole.”
Dr. Richard Drake -- Met 1992
10 OF DIAMONDS: Shark Hunting
“Richard tested his mettle by engaging in risky mental and physical challenges. He
chose martial arts fighting, shark hunting, cliff diving, tightrope Walking, trapeze
swinging, and high-stakes, underworld gambling.”
Jon Racherbaumer Writer Author Magician -- Met 2007
ACE OF CLUBS: Haptic & Tactile Neural Network
“Richard, you have had one of the most interesting and all-around admirable lives we’ve
encountered. So, why do you have such vivid ‘vision’ even though your eyes are
destroyed? The answer is probably due to the fact that your visual neural networks were
both intact and highly developed. When a part of the brain stops receiving stimulation
from its previous input streams, it starts responding to new input streams - in this case,
other parts of the brain, including other perceptual, motor, and cognitive parts of the
brain. Richard, this strongly suggests that your haptic and tactile neural networks - the
networks associated with touch - are also resonating with your visual networks. This is
not surprising, because it sounds like you already had a highly developed tactile
network even before you went blind, and now you must have one of the most developed
tactile neural networks of anybody on the Planet Earth.”
Dr. Ogi Ogas, Harvard Neuroscientist -- Met 2017

KING OF CLUBS: Dominos

“I play cards with Rick, and I can guarantee that more than once, a card came off the
bottom, or wherever else he wants to pull it from. You can never see it happen, but
that’s what he does for a living - manipulate those 52 little pieces of plastic/paper! He
didn’t get the nickname ‘The Cheat’ from playing dominos! There’s the times he played
heads-up with my Wealthy business associate, Bill Spears, and how Bill constantly
loses. Hmmmm. Funny how that happens.”
J. B. Harrington Businessman -- Met 1988

QUEEN OF CLUBS: Audience

“Growing up my brother would have me pretend to be a member of his audience. He
would perform his magic tricks and card moves until I couldn’t take it any longer. I
couldn’t believe that someone would sit there for hours and hours practicing with those
worn-out cards!”
Lori Turner-Dragt, Genius Sister

JACK OF CLUBS: Commander

“I knew immediately I would ask Richard to be our honorary commander…I arranged for
Richard to fly on our T-43 aircraft. He had a ball, and we enjoyed having him. Of course,
it wasn’t easy to get permission, since Richard was blind…He even cheated the Air War
College commandant! Richard received special recognition by the Air Force
Thunderbirds. He performed with Colin Powell, and was honored for his community
achievements by FBI Director Louis Freeh…I think both sides of his brain are highly
developed. He ought to donate it to science when he dies, in about 75 years.”
Colonel Tom Hall Met -- 1993

10 OF CLUBS: Real Deal

"A world class cardman and technician supreme, Richard Turner is the real deal! As one
of the finest card technicians on the planet, Richard advances the science of card
manipulation to heights never dreamed of!"
Steve Forte, Card Mechanic/Casino Protection Expert -- Met 1990

ACE OF HEARTS: Actor

“Richard, I could extol your talent and skills, or I could rave about your magic with cards,
but at this point you have heard praise from other more notable performers of magic, so
I reframe scribbling more accolades and speak of your indomitable spirit and
determination. You are undoubtedly the greatest example I have ever seen of the
human spirit overcoming adversity. Richard, you are an inspiration!”
Tony Giorgio Card Mechanic, Played Bruno Tattaglia
in The Godfather Film -- Met 1975

KING OF HEARTS: VIV Labs

“We have had some amazing professional performers visit us, but I have never seen
such a reaction before, people continue to come up to me, talking about what you did,
they were amazed and inspired! It was just an incredible event.”
Adam Cheyer, Tech Entrepreneur Creator of SIRI & Magician -- Met 2017

QUEEN OF HEARTS: Don’t Blame Him

“Everyone loves Rick, they always want to help him with everything, he just did not want
to be the blind person, and I don’t blame him, who wants to be known for an entire life
as the guy who is pretty good with cards, but he’s a blind person.”
Kim Turner, Beautiful Wife of over three Decades -- Met 1990

JACK OF HEARTS: Keep Rolling

“Richard Turner does some superlative coin manipulations. He does the coin roll with
five different size coins at one time which is amazing enough, but then he did something
I had never seen done before. He rolls two coins in opposite directions across his
knuckles! And to top it all off he rolls a giant nickel across his knuckles, which is an
amazing thing to watch! His dexterity with coins is marvelous.”
Professor Dai Vernon Richard’s Mentor -- Met 1975
10 OF HEARTS: Placebo Cards
“Countless times we would send Richard decks of blank cards that were simply
numbered as sample 1, 2 or 3. On occasion we would even attempt to fool Richard with
placebo cards, and he would still manage to tell us which ones they were. Richard’s
input helped us fine tune the critical technical attributes to maximize the feel of our
cards in the hand. Every time you crack open a fresh pack of Bicycle or Bee brand
playing cards you can rest assured that they have been influenced by the hands of
Richard Turner.”
Michael Slaughter, President and CEO of The United States Playing Card
Company -- Met 2018

SECOND DECK OF ROYAL FLUSHES

ACE OF SPADES: Strangle Him

“Before Roy’s accident with the tiger, Richard and his wife, Kim, were our guests with
front row center seats. The show opened with us running out and Roy ran right up to
Richard’s booth, jumped in the booth and, to the shock of Kim and the audience, started
to strangle him. It got their attention! After the show I invited Richard and his wife back-
stage to our dressing room as I wanted to see more of his inexplicable talents. It goes
without saying, Richard has our greatest admiration!”
Siegfried and Roy Vegas Headliners -- Met 1976

KING OF SPADES: Weirder

“Rick is one of the only guys I know who is a whole lot weirder than I am. He was
always broke. Once I threw a ‘costume potluck party’ where you were expected to bring
a dish that was somehow related to your costume and Rick came with a bottle of water
and wore swim fins and a mask!”
Russell Cedarburg, Actor-Musician -- Met 1974

QUEEN OF SPADES: Good Student

“When our daughter Joy was a freshman in high school a guy kept picking on her and
so she grabbed him like Uncle Rick taught her and had the guy flat on the ground with
her knee in his neck before he knew what happened.”
Lori Turner-Dragt, Genius Sister

JACK OF SPADES: Bend Your Spoon

"I performed in Portugal with Richard Turner--he simply blew my mind! I sat
12 inches away and I can describe his work in one word, PHENOMENAL. I have seen
hundreds of card men, but Richard is light years ahead!”
Uri Geller, Mentalist -- Met 2017
10 OF SPADES: Counting Down & Out
“I first had the privilege of meeting Richard in the early 80's while appearing on a TV
show. I was there trying to show the viewing audience the effects of card counting while
playing the game of Blackjack. They told me the man in the tuxedo dealing to us was an
employee of the station. I can't begin to state how hilarious the episode was as Richard
manipulated the results with his incredible skills.”
Bobby Singer, Card-Counter -- Met 1984

ACE OF DIAMONDS: Bafflement

“There are many degrees of bafflement, the highest degree of utter bafflement is when
a person cannot fathom any kind of explanation even when given an explanation by the
originator of the mystery. If one is fooled by the explanation, one is completely lost.”
Jon Racherbaumer, Writer, Author, Magician -- Met 2007

KING OF DIAMONDS: Offensive Force

“Considering his unparalleled ability to control the outcome of any card game in which
he handles the cards, my immediate thought is that he is primarily an offensive force.
However, that being said, he's told me that he made a good living at the poker tables
playing on the square, which requires strong defense. While Richard possesses great
intuition; his strong suit is his ability to analyze what he intends to do, and then he does
it, using his intuition and sense of touch to determine if he is being successful.”
Bruce Samboy, Government Gambling Regulator -- Met 2005

QUEEN OF DIAMONDS: Went Dark

“Based on your history, and my exam, Richard, you have a macula dystrophy that
started when you were a young boy. You have been legally blind for some time. As the
time progressed, I suspect around the third or fourth decade of your life, your vision
completely went dark. Right now, you have what we call, ‘no light perception.’ You are
not able to see anything. You are completely blind.”
D. Elena Geraymovych, Optometrist and Professor at U. T. Health Science Center
-- Met 2014

JACK OF DIAMONDS: Producer

“Richard, world-wide an estimated 1.4 billion people saw you on CCTV’s ” ‘International
News Letter.”
Hejia Xiao, Producer China Central Television Beijing China -- Met 2014
10 OF DIAMONDS: Idol
“Richard Turner is the greatest card mechanic of all times!”
Muhammad Ali, Three Time Boxing Heavy-Weight
Champion of the World -- Met 1982

ACE OF CLUBS: Made of Clay

“I was dealing bottoms for a man who couldn't see. As I dealt, he moved his fingers
between mine, sliding his hands around my hand, the way a mechanic feels his way
around the darker corners of an engine. ‘There's too much tension in your dealing
hand,’ he began. ‘Ease up a bit. Also, move your left-hand half as far for each deal.’
Turner was seeing my hands with his hands, and he began to contort my fingers around
the deck, adjusting my grip. It was remarkable. I just stood still, allowing him to mold my
fingers like my hands were made of clay. ‘There,’ he said, ‘try it now.’ Again, I dealt
cards from the bottom with my hands. It felt a little easier--a little less friction. ‘See?’ he
said. ‘Much better.’ I smiled widely but said nothing, and he smiled back at me. It was as
if he could sense that too.”
Joshua Jay Magician, Author -- Met 2005

KING OF CLUBS: Pathetic

“Rick was a little, well…pathetic, and a lot of people we knew are now dead, I always
thought he would be next…He refused to be like any other blind person…He actually
did stuff that he really shouldn’t aught ’a done! It’s a bit exhausting being around Rick
because he’s always shuffling, kicking, or doing something! Rick will do what is needed
to fulfill a mission, throwing himself at it till it’s done, or he is dead… In high school, he
would bum lunch-money from me, and constantly tried to get me to play a hand of
cards. I learned my lesson, no more!”
Jim Blowers, Adventurous Sidekick -- Met 1969

QUEEN OF CLUBS: Bore Witness

“As Richards younger sister I bore witness to his rapidly deteriorating vision and how he
learned to overcome which helped me know what to expect and what to prepare for in
the next stage of my own blindness.”
Lori Turner-Dragt, Genius Sister

JACK OF CLUBS: A Stunt

“Night-after-night, as we all saw, after Richard’s presentation…or call it demonstration,
the majority of the audience never believed that he’s blind, they simply thought it was a
stunt to fit into the Hoodwinked con mentality. I think it’s really amusing that the
audience left without knowing what was real and what wasn’t”
Bob Arno Pick-Pocket King Co-starred in Conned -- Met 2007
10 OF CLUBS: No Idea
“I’m a huge fan of your work! I think I’ve watched your Fool Us video over 10 times and I
still have no idea…Amazing!
Shin Lim Magician -- Met 2018

ACE OF HEARTS: Colonized Your Visual Cortex

“Richard, since every brain is different, every person’s experiences are different, and
the brain is wildly, incredible, mind-bogglingly elastic - but the level of hallucinations
would be highly sensitive to a number of individual variables, including how developed
the visual networks were before a person went blind, what parts of the brain the visual
networks were resonating with when the person had sight, how developed those other
networks became after the person went blind, and which other parts of the brain won
the race to colonize the visual cortex. So, in your case, since you have an extremely
strong tactile network that was already developed before you lost sight, this strong
tactile network probably colonized your visual cortex most strongly and set up the
strongest resonant loops, which means you have a strong and highly structured input
stream from tactile to your old visual networks, which is why your visual hallucinations
are stronger and more consistent.
Dr. Ogi Ogas, Harvard Neuroscientist -- Met 2017

KING OF HEARTS: Seedy

“If you’re going to learn something, learn the real thing. If you’re going to learn Karate,
learn it by going to a seedy part of Tijuana and learn full-contact Karate. Many times, I
was his ride there, ouch!”
Glen Hansen, Director-Actor -- Met 1972

QUEEN OF HEARTS: Physique

“Rick’s personal appearance was what stood out at first; he had a head of wavy blonde
hair down to his shoulders that looked like it had not seen a comb in a while, and a
tanned, muscular physique on a rather small body that was rarely covered up with a
shirt.”
Bernelle Hansen, Stage Manager-Actress -- Met 1972

Jack of Hearts: Technique

“Richard not only talked about the gambling moves, but performed every one he
mentioned. His manner and technique would easily have passed on the Street...Under
Heat.”
George Joseph, Card Mechanic—Casino Protection Expert -- Met 1978
10 OF HEARTS: Paper Scientist
“We put our cards through rigorous testing in-house but there is no substitute for the
hands of Richard Turner. Our paper scientist engaged Richard because of his incredible
ability to ‘feel the difference.
Michael Slaughter, President and CEO of The United States Playing Card
Company -- Met 2018

THIRD DECK OF ROYAL FLUSHES

ACE OF SPADES: Can't See Me

“I first met that crazy guy when he was performing on the Ruben E. Lee riverboat in San
Diego. I think I was twenty years old, so it was around 1979. He started off by
performing some amazing flourishes with both hands! Coins were rolling back and forth
across his knuckles, one-handed card shuffles in each hand, second-deals, bottom-
deals, and center-deals. Finding aces and dealing winning hands after the deck was
shuffled! It was a thrill to watch and fun to be fooled! It’s lucky for me Richard can't see
me holding my video camera recording his every move. Just kidding! Well…maybe…”
Bill Malone, Card Mechanic/Magician -- Met 1979

KING OF SPADES: Culture Shock

“It was in 1972 when I was introduced to Rick. It’s no doubt that meeting a hippy was a
culture shock for us from Minnesota, but I had been told that he was interested in
acting…Rick spent every waking hour practicing a certain maneuver with his hands.
When he had mastered that sleight-of-hand trick, he would go on to another, but still
practiced the ones he had mastered. Watching him reminded me somewhat of a
juggling act.”
Steve Terrell, Writer-Director -- TV and film personality -- Met 1972

QUEEN OF SPADES: No Peeking

“She opened her eyes and caught Rick practicing his shuffling with one hand…while
they were making love!”
Kerry Meads, Writer, Actress -- Met 1975

JACK OF SPADES: Limits

“I think a very general statement that can be made about magic is that it helps remind
us, things are not always what they seem, and that limitations are not always limitations.
And, in Richard’s case, he does that both on and off stage, he gives by the example of
his great skill, and the success he’s had, it’s a wonderful reminder there are not as
many limits as we generally think.”
Max Maven, Mentalist -- Met 1979
10 OF SPADES: Deck’em
“The really odd thing was that Mr. Turner always had his cards in his hands, during
Karate, walking down the street…he was always on the move with those cards, and he
may have fought with them…he was so fast he probably carried them as he fought me!”
Diego Gonzalez Black Belt -- Met 1971
ACE OF DIAMONDS: Hyper-Focused
“He’s a straight shooter, he is as humble as he is accomplished, hyper-focused, and
one hell of a showman!”
Jim Millan Director of Hoodwinked later called “Conned” -- Met 2007

KING OF DIAMONDS: No Gift

“It was probably a little bit too brutal, but we did not want it to be a gift! When you fight
ten fresh fighters, and they are all tough and out to get you, you’re going to pay a hefty
price.”
Grand Master Sensei John Murphy -- Met 1971

QUEEN OF DIAMONDS: Hard Sometimes

“I try to act that way. I try to not let it bother or hinder me. But it’s kind of hard
sometimes! Richard is an inspiration that it can be done. That you can be visually
impaired or blind, go out into the world, and do something really major that a lot of
people can recognize.”
Makayla, a 13-year-old blind young lady -- Met 2015

JACK OF DIAMONDS: Beast

“I just wanted to let you know how awesome it is that Richard does what he does What
he stands for. This is my virtual card lol. He’s a beast in my eyes and the one guy I hear
about within this community of magic and cards that nobody ever has anything bad to
say.
Christopher Gagliola aka Deckhead

10 OF DIAMONDS: Phenomena
“Richard notes that he can “write in the air” and see the writing. As he contemplates
these phenomena, he concludes that there must be a direct relationship to one of his
many gifts, a true photographic memory. His ability to visualize his surroundings,
despite his lack of sight, is truly an amazing adaptation, a truly amazing power.”
Dr. Christopher Westfall, Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology -- Met 2005
ACE OF CLUBS: No Breaks
“My Dad is the most disciplined person in the world! There’s no one more disciplined
than my Dad, he never takes a break, I don’t see how he does it. Like his break is
working out, which is kind of a break…But not really!”
Asa Spades Turner, Brilliant Son

KING OF CLUBS: Needed to Learn Something

“You’re kidding right? Bottoms, middles, seconds etc. Did he cheat? Of course, he did, it
would not have been fun otherwise. Oddly enough when real money was involved
everyone left pretty much even by the end of the night. Unless, of course, someone
needed to learn something.”
Glen Hansen, Director /Actor -- Met 1972

QUEEN OF CLUBS: Splits

“One time we went Ice-skating. He had previously sprained one of his ankles so was no
good at ice-skating. He decided that he would have a little fun with this and so he would
do the splits on the ice. People would skate by pointing and cringing because it
appeared some poor guy accidentally did the splits on the ice. The kids’ friends thought
he was in terrible pain when in fact he was just being ornery.”
Lori Turner-Dragt, Genius Sister

JACK OF CLUBS: Flustered

“Vernon suggested that Richard show everyone his latest card effect. Richard passed
his deck of cards around the table to be shuffled by some of the greatest card
magicians ever. When Richard was given back the deck, he began producing the four
aces, one at a time, each using a different method. Richard got up to use the restroom.
While he was gone, his deck of cards was passed around and examined, magicians
shaking their heads from side to side. On the return flight Professor told me ‘that was
the highlight of the night watching all those top magicians flustered when they couldn’t
find any work on the cards.’ I can never remember The Professor heaping so much
praise on a performer as he did to his best friend, Richard Turner.”
Bill Bowers, Vernon’s Traveling Friend -- Met 1976

10 OF CLUBS: Dead Cut

“Richard strives for perfection. The sleights and moves that he takes on… he wants to
do things better than anyone; if he does something he has to be the best. At a show in
Vegas a number 1 to 52 was called out by a spectator, Richard instantly cut off that
number of cards from the deck. Richard then responded, ’maybe you thought that was
luck, so let’s do it again with another number.’ The spectator called out another number
and Richard instantly did another dead cut to that exact number. I was wowed! So was
the audience as I remember at the end of the performance he got a standing ovation.”
Allan Ackerman, Magician -- Met 1976

ACE OF HEARTS: Qualified

“I began doing sleight of hand with cards 75 years ago when I was 8 years of age. I
have seen literally hundreds if not thousands of card mechanics and magicians
manipulate cards. Based upon my years of observation and my familiarity with both card
magic and card cheating, I feel qualified to opine on the quality of what I see. You may
quote me as follows: Richard Turner's masterful, magical, manipulation of playing cards
is incomparable."
Tony Giorgio Card Mechanic, Played Bruno Tattaglia in Godfather Film -- Met
1975

KING OF HEARTS: Dazzled

“Richard, I was dazzled! A left-handed embrace!”
Rene Lavand ‘A One-Armed Card Master’ -- Met 2004

QUEEN OF HEARTS: Disciplined

“I was attracted to Rick’s strength and his discipline. I tend to be a disciplined person by
nature, and I immediately identified Rick as a disciplined person, and most importantly,
a self-disciplined person.
Kim Turner, Beautiful Wife of over Three Decades -- Met 1990

JACK OF HEARTS: Wowed Them

“I have to admit, I was jealous of how well he took care of himself. Well, truthfully I saw
how my wife and the other women looked at Mr. Turner…they would say ‘look at how fit
he looks,’ but really it was all about his looks, those muscles and how strong he was
that wowed them! By the way, my wife still talks about it!”
Diego Gonzalez, Black Belt -- Met 1971

10 OF HEARTS: Incredible
Oh! Ah! No! Incredible! Oh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks!
Juan Tamariz, Magician – Met 1992
FOURTH DECK OF ROYAL FLUSHES

ACE OF SPADES: Character Traits

“I was sitting with my co-producer on Hoodwinked, discussing Richard. As we discussed
his character traits and then added his physical skill into the mix we decided that he was
the closest we’d ever get to meet a superhero.”
Mike Mills Producer of Hoodwinked & Conned -- Met 2006

KING OF SPADES: The Simplicity

“Ricky had cheated on the typing exams I used to give my students. The simplicity of his
scam was the key to its effectiveness. I would allow them time to type warm up
exercises before taking the exam. He would take this time to type slowly and accurately
his "practice paragraph. Then after taking the timed test, he would switch papers and
give me his practice sheet as his test sheet. It appears he was already developing his
‘hand is faster than the eye’ technique at an early age.”
Ed Brian, Magician VH Elementary Resource Teacher -- Met 1965

QUEEN OF SPADES: Never Stops

“One of the most outstanding qualities that Rick has is that he is the most consistent
and disciplined person that I’ve ever met in my life. He never stops exercising. I start
and I stop but he never stops.”
Lori Turner-Dragt, Genius Sister

JACK OF SPADES: Mentalist

“Sleight-of hand, when you are doing the type of work that Richard does, involves, a level
of detail that is, microscopic.”
Max Maven -- Met 1979

10 OF SPADES: Shuffled
"Richard, you are just an unbelievable guy, with mega-amazing skillfulness. You have a
very strong charisma. You are genuine and are able to combine true magic with
elegant humor. Actually, you are the Real Card-shark that we (ordinary magicians) try,
in vain, to imitate. Like our friend Rene' Lavand you are "one-of-a-kind" that nobody can
beat in your field.
Lennart Green, MD and Magician -- Met 2005
ACE OF DIAMONDS: Gambler’s Moves
“What blows me away, when you list all the different gambler’s moves, the second deal,
push-through, perfect shuffles, most people have one good move that their known
for…Richard spent his entire life mastering all the things at the top of the list!”
Steve Forte, Card Mechanic/Casino Protection Expert -- Met 1990

KING OF DIAMONDS: Bulldog

“Rick reminds me of the tenacity of a bulldog. Once he attacks a problem he doesn’t
give up until he has mastered the problem or has come up with an alternate solution for
it. His acting was an example of this. He would rehearse and rehearse until he was
satisfied with what he was doing on stage.”
Steve Terrell, Writer-Director -- TV and film personality -- Met 1972

QUEEN OF DIAMONDS: Wife

Rick certainly has physical strength . . . you can see that from a distance with a quick
glance. Rick’s physical strength is appealing to my base nature. He really is focused!
We work out together. Sometimes we are just in that same room, each doing our own
workout, but at other times, we work out as a team. He is the most reliable workout
partner I’ve ever had. He’s tough. All of his exercises are done in either a deck or half
deck count—no wimping out with doing ten or 15 repetitions. exhaustion guaranteed,
results assured. And our time spent together…priceless!”
Kim Turner, Beautiful Wife of over Three Decades -- Met 1990

JACK OF DIAMONDS: Role Model

“Considering that he has achieved his lofty long-time goals to become and actor;
develop the muscular physique of Charlton Heston in Ben Hur; kick like Bruce Lee; and
live on Jacks and Queens as he'd heard in the theme to Maverick as a boy, I think that
Richard's only goal is to continue to be the man he is as a role model for his son Asa
Spades.
Bruce Samboy, Government Gambling Regulator -- Met 2005

10 OF DIAMONDS: Bathroom
“It is absolutely fascinating how Richard manages every daily chores, going to a
bathroom, eating in a restaurant, talking to people nearby, and on and on, as if he really
was NOT blind…And, it’s equally amazing that those around him did not catch on to his
visual limitation, his acting like he can see is extremely impressive.”
Bob Arno, Pick-Pocket King Co-starred in Conned -- Met 2007
ACE OF CLUBS: Magician
To Richard Marlo Turner.”
Technicians as a rule are not usually good actors or entertainers. Richard Turner is all
three.
Ed Marlo, Magician -- Met 1976

KING OF CLUBS: Creative Photos

“Richard had been working on his ‘Crap Book’ for a long time before I met him - creative
photos of simple crap but we expanded this concept to include creative photos of road
kill, as well. Besides, I was a better photographer than the blind guy!”
Russell Cedarburg, Actor-Musician -- Met 1974

QUEEN OF CLUBS: Stinky Feet

“We enjoyed poker as young kids and would often play each other for time rather than
money. The person who lost paid their minutes giving the winner a foot or back rub. As
Rick got better with the cards, I found myself always loosing and constantly having to
give his stinky feet another massage!”
Lori Turner-Dragt, Genius Sister

JACK OF CLUBS: Casino Mechanic,

“I met Turner in the ‘70's when I was working as a Black Jack dealer at the Aladdin
Hotel & Casino on The Strip. He already had some knowledge of the usual methods of
dealing seconds and bottom deals. I demonstrated a method of dealing centers used in
Black Jack to deal a card from the middle of the deck from a slug of either high or low
cards…whatever the dealer’s agent needed to make his hand a winner…when he knew
that the top card or the second card would not make the hand. Turner took to it at once
and he impressed me with his skill.”
Marty Goldstein, Mechanic for the Aladdin -- Met 1976

10 OF CLUBS: Miller’s Crossing

“They call me eagle eye Charlie, Charlie sees everything Kid, I can’t see it Kid, I can’t
see it!””
Charlie Miller, Magician Mechanic -- Met 1981

ACE OF HEARTS: Legends

“Among gamblers, men like Richard Turner are as much feared as they are respected.”
Jack Palance: Ripley’s Believe It or Not -- Met 1984

“I’ll never play cards with you!”

Actor Bob Hope -- Met 1993
”You understand this card stuff Johnny! How’s he doing it?”
Gene Kelly, Actor -- Met 1984

”I don’t know! But he’s doing it beautifully!”

Johnny Carson -- Met 1984

“I know who my new poker partner is going to be!”

Gregory Peck, Actor -- Met 1984

"These are the true stars here - Mr. Cheat and Miss Guided.”
Secretary of State Colin Powell -- Met 1998

KING OF HEARTS: Look Out Below

“I taught Rick his falls and trapeze skills…He helped me train the celebrities for the TV
show Circus of the Stars. This just reveals Rick’s fanatic personality. One night I
checked to see how he was doing…He was asleep in bed, and he had a deck of cards
on his chest…And he was shuffling them in his sleep!”
Bobby Yerkes, stuntman, Actor -- Met 1972

QUEEN OF HEARTS: First up First Eat

“The whole notion of women and children first gets tromped-on when Rick is ready to
eat. Waiting in line is utterly out of the question! Rick will wiggle, squirm, and cajole his
way to the front of the food line. Rick’s epicurean dance of impatience to eat can
sometimes be waylaid by a subtle thought or idea that creeps into his mind about the
card technique that he just spent hours working on. When this occurs, the single-
minded patience sinks back into place and he will resume the calm, humped, and slack-
jawed position at the card table. His food will turn cold waiting for him to return in
perhaps a few minutes, most likely in a few hours.”
Kim Turner, Beautiful Wife of over three Decades

JACK OF HEARTS: Gold Seal Bikes

“I went through many decks before I found Richard’s gold seal deck. The second I
opened it I knew it would be my deck of cards I would always use. I could feel the love
and passion behind those cards, and they spoke to me. So, I really just wanted to say
thank you because something so small like that has really pushed further into magic
and magic has truly changed my life for the better.”
Christopher Gagliola, aka Deckhead
10 OF HEARTS: Magicians & Cardists
“Being that we are the only playing card company in the world that produces its own
card stock and have built a reputation on how our cards feel in one’s hand, we looked
to Richard to help with this key attribute. We were not willing to sacrifice the feel of our
cards in the hand as this is so critically important to Magicians, Cardists and how
players interact with our playing cards.
Michael Slaughter, President and CEO of US Playing Card Company -- Met 2018

FIFTH DECK OF ROYAL FLUSHES

ACE OF SPADES: Twin Coats

“We were in Vegas playing Blackjack and I was whispering the cards to Rick as they
were dealt while he kept the count, eventually we were kicked out. Master Turner
suggested we disguise ourselves by switching coats, then return to the tables. We
switched and I had to laugh as we both had on the exact “American Black Belt
Academy” coat.”
Master Gene Holtman Black Belt -- Met 1984

KING OF SPADES: Shuffled

“While traveling we all stayed in a hotel together, and when Rick laid down on the bed to
go to sleep he had a deck of cards in each hand, and he was shuffling the cards while
listening to the TV. Then, as he drifted off to sleep, his hands stopped moving. The next
morning…this is exactly what happened…His hands started shuffling the cards
again…before his eyes opened up!”
Master John Douglas, Black Belt -- Met 1971

QUEEN OF SPADES: Hippy

“How about simple table manners? We had to encourage him to do little things like not
holding the saltshaker way up in the air so he could see the salt falling, or not to lick the
drips off the catchup bottle top before passing it!”
Bernelle Hansen, Stage Manager-Actress -- Met 1972

JACK OF SPADES: Hold’em

“It was like a big poker bluff, in order to win, you have to know when to hold them and
know when to fold them as the saying goes. And folding sometimes is part of the
strategy to get your opponent off guard, not necessarily to win in the short term. Richard
understands the psychology of the game and is in it for the long term, yet he also is
willing to walk away on the short term in order to win in the long term.”
Banachek, Co-Starred in Conned -- Met 2007
10 OF SPADES: One More Rep
“I've been working-out for over twenty years and have been completely wiped-out after
a workout on hundreds of occasions. Richard's workout is right up there with the most
grueling I've ever experienced.”
Jason England, Magician, Mechanic -- Met 2004

ACE OF DIAMONDS: Strip the Deck

“Richard performs moves that I have never seen another cardman perform well…moves
that are off-the-scale in terms of degree of difficulty…and he does them flawlessly! For
example, how many cardmen have you seen do a false shuffle with a strip-out…All with
only one hand?”
Steve Forte, Card Mechanic/Casino Protection Expert -- Met 1990

KING OF DIAMONDS – Pain is just something that Hurts

“Mr. Turner hits so hard and fights so strong and fast that I was the one that had to
watch for myself. The other karate fighters say the same thing as I experienced: he hits
hard!”
Diego Gonzalez, Black Belt -- Met 1971

QUEEN OF DIAMONDS: Hippy

“I didn’t know quite how to take Rick…he was a bit…uh… strange.”
Kerry Meads, Writer, Actress -- Met 1975

JACK OF DIAMONDS: Excuses

“Richard taught me that words such as, ‘Count Your Blessings’ shouldn’t be empty
clichés, and that there’s never any reason for making excuses. I’m reminded of the old
adage, ‘The person who really wants to do something finds a way; others find
excuses.’ For most of us, these words - and many more with similar messages - only
hit home after you meet someone extraordinary like Richard Turner.”
Steve Forte, Card Mechanic/Casino Protection Expert -- Met 1990

10 OF DIAMONDS: Pasteboard Warrior

“I personally think your accomplishments with the martial arts is far more incredible than
your skill with the pasteboards (which is by far the best).”
Sal Piacente, Card Mechanic/Casino Protection Expert -- Met 2006

ACE OF CLUBS: Give a Blind Guy a Gun

“Having been a SWAT Team Leader for a number of years I was well-versed in the
handling of a variety of firearms and supervised the SWAT Team firearm qualification
shoots but, teach a blind man to shoot a handgun? As it turned out he was an excellent
student and displayed no pre-conceived notion of how to proceed. He listened and
followed my instructions. I would throw a rock at a target and from that he learned to
handle a firearm safely, which was my primary goal, and to hit a target following sounds,
which was his goal.”
Commander Chuck Curtis, Took Down 4 Serial Murderers -- Met 1972

KING OF CLUBS: Killed the Counter

“I was in the sound booth with the director watching when Rick was put in as a ringer on
a TV show watching him clean the clock of some ‘card counter’ name “Singer.”
Master John Douglas -- Met 1971

QUEEN OF CLUBS: Stubborn

“I have been helping my brother learn his talking computer and his iPhone. He wears
people out with things he can do for himself, and I think he realizes that. Now that he’s
letting the blindness topic come up, he’s a lot happier, but he’s still so stubborn, you
almost have to force him to do it!”
Lori Turner-Dragt, Genius Sister

JACK OF CLUBS: Weight 168

“Mr. Turner has the karate work ethic of a champion. He attempts to perfect every
technique! Pound for pound he is extremely strong. I once saw him free-weight curl 175
pounds, which was more than his body weight.”
Roy Kurban, Senior Grand Master Black Belt -- Met 1984

10 OF CLUBS: Fist & Foot

“Character, passion and razor-sharp attention to detail. Richard was also extremely kind
and generous with his knowledge. Guarded about his secrets but keen to share his
experience, Richard has always been an honest and true friend, never slow to offer
support or constructive criticism. He's a terrific performer too. Even without his
remarkable skills, he could still bring an audience to their feet. He is also a very warm
and gentle person…as long as you’re not in hand-to-hand combat with him.”
R. Paul Wilson, Magician, Card Mechanic -- Met 1993

ACE OF HEARTS: Made of Clay

“I was dealing bottoms for a man who couldn't see. As I dealt, he moved his fingers
between mine, sliding his hands around my hand, the way a mechanic feels his way
around the darker corners of an engine. ‘There's too much tension in your dealing
hand,’ he began. ‘Ease up a bit. Also, move your left-hand half as far for each deal.’
Turner was seeing my hands with his hands, and he began to contort my fingers around
the deck, adjusting my grip. It was remarkable. I just stood still, allowing him to mold my
fingers like my hands were made of clay. ‘There,’ he said, ‘try it now.’ Again, I dealt
cards from the bottom with my hands. It felt a little easier--a little less friction. ‘See?’ he
said. ‘Much better.’ I smiled widely but said nothing, and he smiled back at me. It was as
if he could sense that too.”
Joshua Jay, Magician/Author -- Met 2005

KING OF HEARTS: Proficiency

“Richard came over to my apartment to visit Fred Robinson and they had a get together,
that was relished by both. What a pair! Without any doubt, both execute seconds,
bottoms, and middles better than anyone in the world. Their proficiency can only be
attained, not by hours, or weeks, or months, but years of dedicated application, and
especially, striving and persistence.”
Dai Vernon: “The Vernon Touch” Genii Magazine -- Met 1975

QUEEN OF HEARTS: Ouch!

“The fact that Rick had been labeled ‘legally blind’ was cause for us to cringe when he
would amazingly avoid injury despite his disability. When he would come back from
some of his fights to earn his belts, he often sported a black eye or some other physical
evidence that it had been a rough bout. It seemed that the fights were so horrendous
that his life was always at stake.”
Bernelle Hansen, Stage Manager, Actress -- Met 1972

JACK OF HEARTS: Daredevil

“Considering his life as a daredevil, it would appear that he fears nothing in life,
although I suspect that his recent troubles with his ravaged hands scared him into
thinking that maybe his days as an entertainer could be over. Working as hard to
rehabilitate himself after several surgeries on his hands as he has at any sleight of hand
manipulation, he amazed his doctor by returning to the stage so quickly. He has
inspired me to examine things more closely from a different perspective using senses
other than sight.”
Bruce Samboy, Government Gambling Regulator -- Met 2005

10 OF HEARTS: Time Together

Starting in 2002 for two weeks during the summer my Dad was asked to teach a class
on cards and his board games at a private boy’s military school founded in 1885 called
The San Antonio Academy. The students came from all around the world including as
far away as China. They brought in interesting people like one of the original founder-
cartoonist for Rocky and Bullwinkle, chess masters, and the hilarious paleontologist
Dinosaur George along with various martial artists and other miscellaneous instructors.
My Dad thought it would be a great way for father and son to spend time together during
the summer so he told them yes as long as his son could help him teach the class. So,
at seven-years-old I now had my second job.
Asa Spades Turner, Brilliant Son

SIXTH DECK OF ROYAL FLUSHES

ACE OF SPADES: Lightning

“Richard is second to none when it comes to gambling demonstrations with cards. He
deals seconds, centers and bottoms equally well and runs up cards with lightning
speed.”
David Malek, Mechanic Magician -- Met 2008

KING OF SPADES: Tacos

“One night after karate class, Sensei Murphy and Rosemary invited Mr. Turner and me
to eat carne asada street tacos in Tijuana. Back then, in 1972, tacos were inexpensive
and normal people would eat three of four tacos. But not Mr. Turner, he had to go the
extra mile and eat eighteen tacos…Yes, eighteen tacos! I had no idea how they fit in his
stomach, but they did.
Diego Gonzalez, Black Belt -- Met 1971

QUEEN OF SPADES: Smarter

“I think my brother is resistant because he still has that mind-set that it’s a weakness.
Up to a few years ago, I faked it, too. I didn’t use a cane and I was always embarrassed
when I would go around people, I hid my blindness... Finally, I decided I didn’t care if I
was embarrassed anymore, I checked myself into the school for the blind, and now
using a cane, a seeing-eye dog and acknowledging my blindness became the most
invigorating thing in my life, as it set me free.”
Lori Turner-Dragt, Genius Sister

JACK OF SPADES: Perplexed

“One evening before the performance, Richard asked if I would set up the two decks he
was going to use that night. Ah ha! I thought. At last, I will be privy to the real work he is
doing. But what he asked me to do was so simple: all he wanted me to do was put the
deck back in new deck order, and it perplexed me even more when I watched him
purvey this joyously evil act that night. Damn you, Richard Turner, damn you!”
Todd Robins, Co-Starred in Conned -- Met 2007
10 OF SPADES: Wrong
“The world's best cardmen practice the moves until they do them right. Richard
practices the moves until he can't do them wrong."
Bruce Samboy, Government Gambling Regulator -- Met 2005

ACE OF DIAMONDS: Perspirational

“I think of you often in my life. For me, you’re one of those inspirational heroes that you
can never come close to equaling but can always strive to be more like, and I do.”
Adam Cheyer, Tech Entrepreneur Creator of SIRI & Magician -- Met 2017

KING OF DIAMONDS: Hits Them

“Several times, sitting in his audience…about half way through the show it hits them out
of the blue…This guy can’t see! It’s almost like there’s not enough time in his life to
have gotten as good as he is.”
Jason England, Magician, Card Mechanic -- Met 2004

QUEEN OF DIAMONDS: Weakness

“I remember when we were first married and other people telling him, ‘you need to learn
braille,’ and Rick would say, ‘I’m not going to learn braille, that’s for blind people.’ Or
they would say, ‘You need to get a cane.’ Rick would say, ‘I’m not carrying a cane!’ It
was a weakness, and it was a weakness he was not going to admit too.”
Kim Turner, Beautiful Wife of over three Decades -- Met 1990

JACK OF DIAMONDS: False Deals

“Your deals rank with the best I have seen over the years—and I have seen many!”
Herb Zarrow, Inventor of the Zarrow Shuffle -- Met 1978

10 OF DIAMONDS: High Stakes

“Tony Giorgio pulled Richard aside, and I overheard their conversation. ‘Richard, we
could have the perfect scam, with your touch and your “twos,” we could put together a
crew of three. I will tell them that you can't see, but that you like to play high-stakes
Hold'em, so I will have to sit next to you and read your cards to you. Then, you deal
good cards to our third agent.’”
Doug Gorman, PHD, USAF Lt. Colonel-Retired, Magician -- Met 1998

ACE OF CLUBS: Knife Thrower

"There are no words to tell you how impressed I am with you. You're a wonder, talented
person with a gift not equaled by anyone else."
David Adamovich, aka The Great Throwdini Holding 44 World Records -- Met 2015
KING OF CLUBS: Freak
“If you ask me, Richard is a freak. Now, you know I mean that as a compliment. The
freak-act in the sideshow was one that surprised the hell out of the audience. On first
blush, they seemed to be deficient in some capacity but, soon the audience would
come to realize that they were in the presence of someone extraordinary.”
Todd Robins, Co-starred in Conned -- Met 2007

QUEEN OF CLUBS: Must confront

“It is not easy for Rick to put himself out there and to be more open about his life, I just
try to encourage him, and remind him, that you cannot conquer what you are not willing
to confront.”
Kim Turner, Beautiful Wife of over three Decades -- Met 1990

JACK OF CLUBS: Crazy

“He’s on the crazy end of obsessive compulsive.”
Armando Lucero, Magician -- Met 1974

10 OF CLUBS: Real Work

“Richard dealt the “real work" flawlessly and better than the fella who taught me years
back in Detroit…Actually, better than anyone I've ever seen. All of Richard's work was
undetectable and without Tells.”
George Joseph, Card Mechanic, Casino Protection Expert -- Met 1978

ACE OF HEARTS: Emptiness

“Many entertainers may have amazing talent, they may have spent decades perfecting
their art and craft, about half an inch under the surface there is emptiness, loneliness
and a powerful sense of failure. This is assuaged only momentarily by applause, the
fading kudos of their peers and stiff shots of Jim Beam. But this is not Richard.”
Coleman Luck, TV Writer, Executive Producer -- Met 2005

KING OF HEARTS: Hippy

“In 1972 we just made the migration from Minnesota to California looking for actors for
the troupe, and Rick was the first person we met. What I thought about Rick was mostly
sad or dramatic. He would tell us that one of his friends died from an overdose each
time we returned from tour.”
Lynn Hansen, Actor -- Met 1972

QUEEN OF HEARTS: Influence

it is 2:10 AM I better go to bed now Love you and thanks for the great relaxing vacation.
I have really enjoyed you and your lovely family. You are a wonderful dad and
husband. “Thank you Lord for giving me a wonderful brother, I love him so much.” The
three most important men in my life are Dad Gerrit & you Rick, but the man that has had
the most spiritual influence in my life is you Rick and will forever be grateful for being my
life long spiritual mentor and brother in the lord. I so deeply appreciate what you did for
me and will always do things for you, Kim, and Asa. that will come from their sister in
the Lord.”
Lori Turner-Dragt, Genius Sister

JACK OF HEARTS: A Little Mayhem

“The feeling that though he is blind he would somehow see me coming if I wished to
inflict mayhem upon him. That's just spooky!”
Todd Robins, Co-starred in Conned -- Met 2007

10 OF HEARTS: Sucker-Punch
“Mr. Turner can be very dangerous if you get too close! When we spar at half speed,
Mr. Turner is infamous for sucker-punching you if he has a chance. His half
speed seems to get faster the closer you get to him. I would think to myself, ‘Don't let
him punch you because it will hurt big-time!’ There is definitely some trust lacking on my
part in those situations.”
Sean Murphy Black Belt -- Met 1971

SEVENTH DECK OF ROYAL FLUSHES

ACE OF SPADES: Japanese TV Special

“Upon watching countless magicians perform, I have no doubt that Richard Turner is
the best…I have consulted with, and every other magicians agree with me…He does
things nobody else can do…I have no clue how it is done…what this man does is so
difficult that no one else can do it nor can it be replicated.”
Mr. Maric Japanese TBS TV Mini Series -- Met 2018

KING OF SPADES: Beets the Green Ones

“We were eating supper at our house one night, and he described what he was seeing,
that a few yards away all he could see was squirming purple worms.”
Lynn Hansen -- Actor Met 1972

QUEEN OF SPADES: Rattlesnake

“My husband always practices with his cards; it makes that little rattlesnake sound as
the cards cascade together. He does it at church, in the car, the grocery store, when we
are lying in bed, when he’s thinking, while working out, I’ve never been in an
environment, except in the pool, no, no, when we first met, we went to the Jacuzzi, he
took his cards there as well.”
Kim Turner, Beautiful Wife of over three Decades -- Met 1990

JACK OF SPADES: Lived to 103

“Tammy and I often reminisce about the visitors we have had on board our boat The
Magic Castle as we sailed around the world. Richard had a deck of cards in his hand
one day at the table. In amazement I asked him, ‘do you sleep with a deck of cards in
your hand?’ He said he did. He also told me he would not trade his ability with the cards
for the return of his vision. Richard is the best in the world with cards. He is their
Master!”
John Calvert, Movie Star, Magician -- Met 1987

10 OF SPADES: Limited
“My Dad lived his entire life trying not to be like a blind person, so he doesn’t want to
admit that he actually is. For years I have helped my Dad teach the card magic class at
the San Antonio Academy. I noticed he never told the kids that he couldn't see them,
nor did he hide it. It was only through the course of the week that the kids would clue
into the fact their teacher could not see. My Dad did not talk about his vision nor hide it.
If he could tell a card was face up in the facedown deck he would simply ask one of the
students to make sure all the cards were facedown. Other times he might ask one of his
helpers to pull out particular cards for him. It was from these casual actions that the
students would clue into the fact that their teacher could not see. Once they figured it
out, since my Dad never acted like he was limited in any way they also never acted like
their teacher had any kind of disability. One of the most telling moments came when an
eight-year-old girl from China said to my Dad, ‘Mister Turner, you invented all these
games, you have been on TV, you can do all these amazing card tricks, and you're
blind? That is so cool!!! When I grow up I want to be just like you!’”
Asa Spades Turner, Brilliant Son

ACE OF DIAMONDS: Card Mechanic – Magician

“I've been a little overweight most of my adult life, and if I only had six months to live, I'd
move in with Richard - his work-out regimen is famous, or should I say, infamous?”
R. Paul Wilson -- Met 1993

KING OF DIAMONDS: Spy

“I think that Richard would enjoy the idea of being a spy…It is as close as you can get
being a con man without breaking laws…In fact I would not be surprised if he actually
was a government spy.”
Banachek, Mentalist -- Met 2007
QUEEN OF DIAMONDS: Mustache
“A man approached my table and asked me if I would like to see some card tricks. He
was dressed in old fashioned gambling garb and had a killer handle bar mustache. I
agreed to let the man show me some card tricks. When he heard my voice, he
immediately knew it was me. I, on the other hand did not know it was Rick Turner who
was standing at my table. He called me by my name and told me who he was. I was
completely shocked at how robust and gorgeous he looked. Rick is the poster boy for all
of the underestimated people in the world. He certainly showed us all how it’s done.”
Holly Crest-Vogel -- Met 1959

JACK OF DIAMONDS: The Snake

“Rick and I went for a walk on a hiking trail, and we came across a rattlesnake. Rick
wasn’t going to budge for that damn thing and just kept picking up big rocks and
throwing them at the snake, even though he had no exact idea where the hell it was
until he finally killed it.”
Jim Flect -- Met 1989

10 OF DIAMONDS: Stricken
“Richard has inspired me with his energy, positive outlook, and the fullness of his life
despite being stricken with what many people consider a disability. Moreover, I’m not
even sure he knows he has a handicap.”
Steve Forte, Card Mechanic, Casino Protection Expert -- Met 1990

ACE OF CLUBS: Fooler

“Richard Turner is one of the finest slight-of-hand artists who’s ever lived. He fooled us
with every single move he did!”
PENN & TELLER , Magicians, Vegas Headliners -- Met 2016

KING OF CLUBS: Hopeless

“Rick practiced throwing the cards; figuring out how much spin to put on them so they
would sail a long way. Since he was blind it was hopeless for him to try and pick them
all up so you could always tell where he'd been by the occasional card lying about.”
Russell Cedarburg, Actor, Musician -- Met 1974

QUEEN OF CLUBS: Frustrated

“I have heard Rick complain about his vision, and he gets really frustrated. When he’s
down in spirit he doesn’t really like to show that to other people, he always wants to be
seen as the strong person, and he doesn’t ever want anyone to think he’s weak.”
Kim Turner, Beautiful Wife of over three Decades -- Met 1990
JACK OF CLUBS: Smile
“What I noticed first about Richard, was that damn smile of his. He seems pleased to
just be alive.”
Todd Robins, Co-Starred in Conned -- Met 2007

10 OF CLUBS: Soup
“Richard’s technique as a secret soup that no one knows how to cook.”
Mr. Katsuragawa, Japanese TBS Miniseries -- Met 2019

ACE OF HEARTS: One Opinion

“My friend Richard Turner, in my opinion, is the finest exponent of gambling sleight of
hand, that I have ever known.”
Larry Jennings, Magician -- Met 1976

KING OF HEARTS: Frame Him

"Richard's transcendent card handling artistry should be framed and displayed
alongside this world's most cherished expressions of perfect beauty"
Paul Harris, Magician -- Met 1975

QUEEN OF HEARTS: Ever Understand

“It’s got to be hard being blind, I really don’t understand it myself, we live with it, but I
don’t say that I can truly ever understand what it’s like to live in that world.”
Kim Turner, Beautiful Wife of over three Decades -- Met 1990

JACK OF HEARTS: Pounding

“Richard is kind of a contradiction; he uses his fingers and his hands to make a living.
Yet, on the other hand, he’s constantly pounding them into heavy bags, and boards,
and bricks, people’s chins, it’s like the worst thing you can do to your hands.”
Jason England, Magician, Card Mechanic -- Met 2004

10 OF HEARTS: Hernia
“Richard has trained himself to endure a level of pain others could not bear. He was in
the middle of a show and commented to me he felt a hernia coming out of his gut. He
continued entertaining the guests until he finished and just could not take it anymore, so
I rushed him to the nearest hospital for treatment.”
Agent Rex Stone, Entertainment Agent -- Met 1992
EIGHTH DECK OF ROYAL FLUSHES

ACE OF SPADES: Fearless

“I believe that Richard’s fearless persona is truly an accurate portrayal, and that he
fears little or nothing.”
Steve Forte, Card Mechanic/Casino Protection Expert -- Met 1990

KING OF SPADES: No Fish Story

“We did a lot of fishing for sharks mostly…with Richard actually driving his boat - an
absurd idea that we, as crazy young people, had no problem with!”
Russell Cedarburg, Actor, Musician -- Met 1974

QUEEN OF SPADES: Sucker

“If you play cards with Rick, you are fulfilling the old adage that ‘there’s a sucker born
every minute.’ I have never played a game of any kind - cards, board, puzzle, checkers,
and chess - where Rick has not beat me! His mind is so quick, and his sense of
perception is so sharp that I swear he knows what move I’m going to make before I
make it. He’s like a black widow spider spinning a web that will assuredly trap the victim,
and no offensive or defensive maneuvers made will prevent you, the unsuspecting
victim, from being eaten alive.”
Kim Turner, Beautiful Wife of over three Decades -- Met 1990

JACK OF SPADES: Secretly

“I met Richard Turner sometime in 1978 or 1979. I had a couple of heavyweight guys
from New York stand with me to watch one of the gambling sleight of hand fellas
featured at the Desert Magic Seminar. The gambling sleight of hand wasn't bad for
magicians but there were several "street tells" that my friends (Street Guys) picked up
on and of course it looked like a magic show. Not so when I invited the same guys to
secretly watch Richard Turner.”
George Joseph, Card Mechanic, Casino Protection Expert -- Met 1978

10 OF SPADES: Choices
“It’s amazing that the spectators get to make most of the choices. We get to shuffle and
cut, and choose the desired card, number of players, and the winning hand.”
Mr. Maric Japanese TBS TV Mini Series -- Met 2018
ACE OF DIAMONDS: Mind’s Eye
“The example of Richard’s life suggests how anyone can use and enhance his or her
other senses. It reveals how it’s possible to develop the Mind’s Eye to an exceptional
degree while giving and receiving acceptance.”
Jon Racherbaumer, Author, Writer -- Met 2007

KING OF DIAMONDS: Truly Honest

“It is his relationship with God that has made Richard into a truly honest man. And, if
that relationship had not been at the heart of everything I dread to think of where he
would be now, he’d probably be in a grave with a bullet between his eyes!”
Coleman Luck, Executive Producer, Mentalist -- Met 2005

QUEEN OF DIAMONDS: 34
“If this is 34 cards can I spend the night with Mr. Turner?”
Izumi, Super-Model, Japanese TBS Miniseries “Number One Knows” -- Met 2019

JACK OF DIAMONDS: Best Man

“Bill Bowers, who amazes everyone by his generosity and thoughtfulness, drove
Chris Michaels and his wife, Evelyn, Judy Dolan, and myself to San Diego to
attend Richard Turner’s wedding…I do not think that anyone in the entire world
can do some of the things he does with cards and coins. Furthermore, he has
many admiring friends because of his modesty, fairness, and honesty. I was
honored by being the best man at his wedding and I shall never forget this most
eventful occasion.”
Professor Dai Vernon, Richard’s Mentor -- Met 1975

10 OF DIAMONDS: Only One

“I’ve worked out with Mr. Turner for years. When it came to pushups, we didn’t do five
sets of ten reps. No! No! We had to do only one set….of 500 reps!”
Master Gene Holtman, Black Belt -- Met 1984

ACE OF CLUBS: Very Rare

“Richard Turner does things with cards that no one else in the world can do----no one. I
don’t care if you go to China, France, or Germany, he does things that no one else can
do and he performs them beautifully. But I say that’s very rare to have experts like that!”
Professor Dai Vernon, Richard’s Mentor -- Met 1975
KING OF CLUBS: Cheater
“Even when Rick was only eighteen he would pull out a pile of twenties from his bottom
drawer…winnings from poker…and would help pay the rent when our other roommate
Birney and I fell short.”
Chris Turner, Artist/Actor -- Met 1972

QUEEN OF CLUBS: Preferred Lifestyle

“It is a bit odd, but what struck me most about Rick is that he seems normal. I mean
normal in the sense that he doesn’t drink, smoke, use drugs, isn’t a womanizer, and is
unlikely to stay out at all hours of the night like the guys back in Montana think is
normal. This is my preferred lifestyle, my idea of a good man.”
Kim Turner, Beautiful Wife of over three Decades -- Met 1990

JACK OF CLUBS: 10,000

“I have seen over 10,000 magicians over my life and I’m going to announce who I
believe is the best magician in the world…From the number one magician in Japan, I
say the number one magician throughout the world is….Richard Turner!”
Mr. Maric Japanese Magician TBS TV Special -- Met 2018

10 OF CLUBS: Dumbest Thing

“In one of Richard’s promo literature pamphlets, it says, ‘Richard Turner practices
sixteen hours a day’. When I read that, I thought, ‘Am I supposed to believe that? No
one practices sixteen hours a day, that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard! Who’s
going to believe that?’ Fast forward fifteen years, I’m staying at his house, he absolutely
practices sixteen hours a day, he never puts the cards down.”
Jason England, Magician, Card Mechanic -- Met 2004

ACE OF HEARTS: Wishlist

“We are delighted that you use an iPhone, and look forward to hearing your Wishlist for
usability or accessibility features. Which iPhone model do you use? Do you also have
an Apple Watch?
Kim Silverman, Magician, Executive at Apple -- Met 2016

KING OF HEARTS: Finagled Me

Rick is very generous and, at the same time, very nuts! The generous thing Rick taught
me was how to put together an act that was acceptable for performance at the Magic
Castle, a long-time dream of mine. Now, this is where Rick is nuts! I would say it was
after his fourteenth or fifteenth surgery when Rick finagled me into working-out with him.
I figured after all those surgeries it should be a piece of cake. So, I worked-out with Rick
one time, and one time only. Being the typical egotistical male, I tried hard to keep up
with him, though at considerably lesser weights, and thought I had done a respectable
job. Then, I tried to get out of bed the next morning. I could barely move, it took more
than a week to recover fully. Never again!”
Doug Gorman, PHD, USAF Lt. Colonel-Retired, Magician -- Met 1998

QUEEN OF HEARTS: Divine Nature

“Rick is a spiritual person absolutely, definitively, without a doubt. I define spiritual as
knowing that there is a divine nature to every person that comes through having a
relationship with God. It is the unseen essence of God that gives mere humans
purpose, power, and wisdom. Rick expresses it through his unfailing love for his family
and friends, and his compassion for those whose hearts are aching.”
Kim Turner, Beautiful Wife of over three Decades -- Met 1990

JACK OF HEARTS: Executive Producer

“Rick always tries to give full effort to living out what he professes; Christianity takes first
place in his life. It is primarily expressed in his daily behavior. You merely have to
observe his love for his family and his care and concern for his friends to see it in action.
He teaches by example. He treats life as a gift from God, every inch meant to be fully
explored. Rick is very quick witted. He does things I truly believe are impossible and
once Rick is gone…nobody will be able to do it!”
David McFadzean Writer, Executive Producer-
co-creator of “Home Improvement” -- Met 1978

10 OF HEARTS: Spaderman
Dad, you are possibly the best dad ever. you take me everywhere!. I am thoroughly
blessed to call you father. You push me when I need to be pushed; you encourage me
when I need courage. You discipline me when I do wrong. I think that you are doing
everything perfectly right.
Love, Your son, Asa Spades Turner
P.S. Thanks for making mom give me the absolute coolest name ever.
Asa Spades Turner, Brilliant Son