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twistedace Inner circle philadelphia 3772 Posts |
Is anybody out there a full time "cheat" performer? I'm a magician at heart but over the last few years I've fallen in love with the shell game, three card monte, endless chain, and a few other cons. I'm thinking of putting together an "honest con" show in addition to what I already do. The con games are just so much fun and basically mythical to people. They've heard about them and are intrigued by them, but have rarely actually seen the cons. I throw them in often when doing walkaround, but am seriously considering an all con show. So my quesions are: is there anybody out there doing an all con show? Is it profitable for you?
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Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
I knew of a few, but haven't heard in a while. Gazzo was marketing his "Beat the Cheat" show, but I don't think he's doing that anymore. Eric Anderson in Iowa had a similar show as well, but as I said I haven't heard much recently from him either. I think Keith Cobb was working on one as well.
I think it would go over well in certain venues, but I too would like to know how successfully it went over for other performers.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
I perform almost solely as "australia's honest con man". As well as performing a 45 minute stand up show about con artistry etc. I also perform a bunko booth style performance for walkaround.
As well as shows for entertainment I also act as a media commentator when various con artists and swindlers rear their heads. You can see everything I do at http://www.conman.com.au |
twistedace Inner circle philadelphia 3772 Posts |
Thank you Nicholas! I'm going to try to market a con-style show and see how it plays. Instead of doing walkaround I can set up my gambling station. I could see it playing very well at project graduations, teen functions, and various adult or corporate events.
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twistedace Inner circle philadelphia 3772 Posts |
I love your site by the way!
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Mr. Mystoffelees Inner circle I haven't changed anyone's opinion in 3623 Posts |
This is a question that has been on my mind as well. Beginning to wonder if the "con" show would not be as well received as a straight magic routine.
For one thing, I think you can keep the specs attention longer as their minds are involved in learning something. What I am trying to decide is, a busking approach with hat, or a pitch approach selling decks and imp bottles... Jim
Also known, when doing rope magic, as "Cordini"
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
A few things to consider
1) If people think you're a magician, they can be disappointed when you don't do any 'tricks'. 2) Most con games are restricted to the table. This can restrict visibility and lower the energy in a walkaround setting. 3) Introducing yourself as the 'con man' for the evening is a great opener. 4) You don't have to dress like an old west snake oil swindler. A modern outfit works very well as well. 5) Buy a 'super classy' close up mat and get it screenprinted like a casino table. Kills the whole 'magician' angle. 6) Learn 'pack your whack' by Paul Harris and play a game of 'snap' or 'slapjacks' with your audience. It's a great con game. |
Mr. Mystoffelees Inner circle I haven't changed anyone's opinion in 3623 Posts |
Great suggestions, Nicholas, thanks!
Jim
Also known, when doing rope magic, as "Cordini"
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twistedace Inner circle philadelphia 3772 Posts |
Awesome suggestions. I Love Whack your Pack. It's awesome.
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
I started out Pack Your Pack by having the card end up in my pocket, wallet, watch etc.
Then I realised that it makes more sense for it to be "under my hand". After all, you win Snap by having the winning card under your hand. The effect SHOULD be weaker yet it plays so much, much strong. Three Card Monte Three Disk Monte Fast and Loose Ten Card Poker Deal Harry Lorayne Poker Deal Whack Your Pack Spectator Cuts The Aces (let 'em win) Shell Game Chop Cup (with a SUITABLE routine) Juice Box Dice |
twistedace Inner circle philadelphia 3772 Posts |
Wow, Nicholas you've basically outlined what I was already planning. I was going to be doing:
3 Disk Monte Ultimate 3 Card Monte Fast and Loose Whack your Pack Malone's Poker Deal Ten Card Poker Deal (I like this better after the sleight of hand version because it's so hands off) The Shuffling Lesson Shell Game Chop Cup (for the WOW factor at the end) I guess that's about it. I just thought it was so weird how similar I was thinking. |
twistedace Inner circle philadelphia 3772 Posts |
What's Juice Box Dice? I've been trying to find more dice routines. So far all I know is Ivory Connection, Sach's Dice Routine, and It's the Rules, which are all basically the same.
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Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
I don't know if it's the name of a published routine, or the "juice" description implies an electro-*** effect.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
It's not a published routine. Just a fun, comedy routine I came up with for juice dice
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mrmystic Regular user Chicago 200 Posts |
Hey Twistedace
I tried working a chop cup or a cups and balls routene into my gambling show, but it just doesn't fit the format. Trying to get it in almost takes away from the shell game. A good shell game presentation has enough Wow factor on it's own. The closest thing I have seen to the cups and balls as a gambling presentation is Harry Andersons performance in his Tricks of the Trade tv special where he used baseball analogies. Although he was using a gambling premise as he was doing it, it was still more of a magic trick and not a gambling thing. Just something to think about. By the way, I am the Keith Cobb that Dave V mentioned earlier in this posting. You can see my gambler website at http://www.thegrifter.com |
ray raymond Veteran user 329 Posts |
If you are interested in a show on swindling Look up work by Richard Turner.
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