Street Scams Exposed

If you're traveling to a big city, don't fall for these street scams. The concept is similar for each of them, but the method is completely different. And it's always going to look like there's other people winning money, and it's going to make you think that you could win too. But I promise you, you will not walk away with your money if you play these street games. The first one is known as the shell game. It starts with three shells and a pea. And the performer will let you inspect the shells to see that there's nothing wrong with them. There's no holes. There's no trap doors. They are solid shells. Then they'll place the pea under the middle shell. Then they'll move the shells around the table very quickly, but not too quickly that you can't follow where the pea should be. So obviously it's under this one, right? Of course not. It's never where you think it is. It's not under this one either. In fact, it's all the way over here. This trick works with such a simple concept. The pea itself is made of rubber. So as the performer slides the first shell forward, the pea slides out from underneath it. It's almost undetectable by the eye. And they clip it between their thumb and their ring finger. And now they can easily move it to either of the other shells. So they'll place it over here. You think you're following this shell because that's where the pea should be. And they'll move that one around as much as they want because the pea is already over here. Now if they catch on that you've caught on, they'll move it around again or even remove it completely. And they can replace the pea anywhere they want after you pick which shell it's under. You will never win this game. The next one is called Three Card Monty. And it looks very simple. You have two cards that look the same and one that looks different. And all you have to do is follow the one that looks different. And they'll toss it onto the table a few different times. And they'll tell you to follow the red card. Now again, they'll mix them on the table quickly, but not too quick for you to follow. So obviously you know that the queen, the red queen has to be this card. Of course, it is not though. And it's not this one. It's all the way over here. Now that's the most basic version how this trick is done. But they can get much more complicated by bending the edge of it or even removing one of the cards. Either way, you're never going to win. So the way this one works is they start by conditioning you by throwing the card down a few times so you get used to seeing them move their hands like this. But when they're ready to do the move, they pretend to toss the card down, but they actually toss the card above it onto the table. It looks like the queen is there, but they're actually still holding the queen. So now you'll follow the wrong card the entire time. But here's the part you have to remember. Even if you figure out the secret or you know the secret and you're able to follow it and win the game, you won't go home with that money. We'll definitely have friends waiting for you around the corner to get the money back. So your best bet is to just not play these games.