How would you use scotch and soda to get money?

Unless you borrow a half dollar and switch it.........and keep it

Might interest you to know that my Mindbogglers series has been re-released on DVD by L&L Publishing. I'm surprised no-one mentioned it, since it contains everything else mentioned, plus a bunch of stuff you've never seen.
Three Card Monte
Endless Chain (fast & loose)
Nim
Pool trickshots and hustles
Jonah Poker
The Circus Card Trick & variations
Rattlebox
Lots of proposition bets
Of all the swindles I've ever learned, the Three Card Monte is still the king. People really think they can win, but you'd better be really good at the hype if you're doing it for real. I prefer a few light proposition bets where the mark doesn't mind getting stung to learn the answer. Also, just about everything mentioned is technically illegal.
--Dan Harlan

I've also got a lot of milage out of the 3 card monte.

I've mostly done Skinner's version, but now I stick to Doc Easons' version with the "chrimp", gets the same reactions and it's more open and examinable.
(ending in spectators hands).

-e-

Does anyone know what to do? Would there be a way to outsmart the person?

The Three card monte followed by the shell game. The only problem is that a lot of people know the workings of a shell game nowadays, and will tell anyone that will listen.

D A M N...I sure wish Dan hadn't mentioned MINDBOGGLERS. I was hoping that everyone had forgotten about them...Sorry Dan

Best thoughts,
John Smetana

3 Card Monte

OK, I will not claim this trick myself, as I did read it in David Blaine's mysterious stranger book:

Go to a bar preferably with two barmen and one cash registrar and show some people there some magic. Get one of the barmen interested and tell you'll show him a trick.

Take out a £50 note, or any other high amount of money and ask the bar tender to sign it. Fold it up and vanish it, secretly slipping it to a compatriot. The compatriot goes to buy a beer with your £50. You, meanwhile, tell the barman you have made it 'teleport' to his cash registrar, while your compatriot gets his beer and £48 or so change. He hands the bill in signature upside-down and the barman searches through the money and finds the note he had previously signed, tells you its an amazing trick and gives you your £50 note back.

That's earned you £48 or so and a beer. Not bad. Haven't tried it myself yet (still working on the note vanish), but Blainey claims he made a couple $100 out of it!

That was before Blaine-o was big, by the way. When he was just starting out (apparently).

-Nik

This scam is so old it has a beard longer than mine. Doesn't make it bad, but doesn't make it Blaine's either. Just means he's got the good sense to pick the winners.

Best thoughts,
John Smetana

There's this one trick in Royal Road, the name of which I can't remember. Basically, someone picks a card, you know where it is (key card), you tell them to watch for it as you deal cards, turning them over from the top of the deck. You intentionally pass their card, then after dealing a few more, you say, "I bet you three bucks [or whatever] that the next card I turn over is your card."

They bet you, and then you smile and turn their card (lying on the table) FACE DOWN. Works every time.

Work. You would be surprised how effective it is.

I am surprised that Dan "Cheez-whiz" Harlan didn't mention Gazzo's "A Gentleman's Game" which appeared in Minotaur V.3 N.3

I believe that it is originally from China.
A version can be found here

Cheers - El Lamo

"Beat 'em, Cheat 'em and Leave 'em Bleeding" has a bunch of small-time cons and scams in it.

Daytona has it for about $3.

Don't cry to me if you get a good beating or land in jail. I assume no responsibility for the actions of others.

"A Gentleman's Game" really isn't that great for taking the mark, except perhaps in Gazzo's hands! It is a great routine which plays funny. The "Circus Card Trick" mentioned earlier by prospero is a worker that will get 'em everytime. Plus, I do some variations on it in the Mindbogglers series that you might like.

I would NEVER try to use a gaff when trying to win money. That just asking to get beat up.

How about the signed wine cork in the signed empty bottle scam. It's the one that the cork is signed and reinserted back into the emptied wine bottle; after all of the bets are placed the scammer leaves the room (for no more than 45 seconds) and returns with the cork removed from the undamaged bottle.

It got me once and I bought the secret!

BWind