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BeThePlunk Special user West of Boston, East of Eden 887 Posts |
I just bought a cheap 3 shell set to see if I liked doing these routines. First off, I admit I'm working with low-end product. But I can't find a surface that doesn't give me trouble. The shells snag on the felt surface of my pad and no surface allows me to slide the shells around without binding.
So, is my problem basically cheap plastic shells, or is there a particular surface that helps the routine go right. If it's the shells, how are more expensive shells constructed to avoid these problems -- to let the pea slide when you want it to but also steal and load when you want to? And if I need better shells, what price range will give me enough improvement to make some progress? Lots of questions. Appreciate any answers. |
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skyfire Regular user 136 Posts |
Hi, I am really just a Rookie at the Shells myself. I too tried different surfaces, one that worked well for me was a VDF Close Up Pad. http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S5723 I pretty much just practice on a bare wood surface now though.
As far as the Shells go, I too probably had the same shells you have, and they actually worked well, but I enjoyed the shells so much that I have upgraded a few times. I found the most important thing about the shells for me was finding shells which allowed me to have a firm secured grip that I could handle well. But one thing you did not mention and I think it may be the most important, is the Pea. The Pea can actually make a world of difference for you. The Peas that I tried out was the "Perfect Pea", and the "KD", and "Sweet Pea". Pick up a couple of these Peas, if you haven't already and decide which is best for you. Good luck... |
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shellgame-al Veteran user Arizona, USA 352 Posts |
Sounds like you need to smooth the bottom edges of the plastic shells. The cheap shells are known for this. Most the time if you lightly sand or using fine steel wool on the edges it will help this problem. If you looking to upgrade, 3shells.com is now having a holiday sale at 20% off on most shells sets. Have the largest selection of shells you can find.
The VDF close up pad skyfire mentioned, I also use and works fine.
Manufacture of 3 Shell Game Sets & 3 Disk Monte Sets
3shells.com and magicswindles.com |
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Nate The Magician Regular user 159 Posts |
I've been using natural shells on a leather suitcase top or on straight cardboard/ newspaper for years with good results. That being said, sanding the inside edges of the shells works for me whenever the shells start gripping the work surface.
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shellgame-al Veteran user Arizona, USA 352 Posts |
You can't get better than a natural shell. But can't get three of them the same to match and will crack over time.
Manufacture of 3 Shell Game Sets & 3 Disk Monte Sets
3shells.com and magicswindles.com |
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BeThePlunk Special user West of Boston, East of Eden 887 Posts |
Sanding has improved the sliding of the shells. But the trouble seems to be with the pea. Nothing I do prevents the little rubber pea from binding and slipping out of the shell. I can do the basic back and forth move of a couple of inches; otherwise, I can't make the simplest side to side mix-up motions that are part of the game. No surface seems to help. Must be the pea.
Any concensus on that one? |
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Wizzard Veteran user 322 Posts |
Sounds like you need the little book "The Three Shell Game" great little publication. Should help you iron out the kinks:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/THREE-SHELL-GAME......24832563 Not expensive at all and crammed with information about TTSG JMN
It's never the wand, it's always the magician
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skyfire Regular user 136 Posts |
Quote
______________________________________________________________________________________ Nothing I do prevents the little rubber pea from binding and slipping out of the shell. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Actually with the Shells you have, that's just naturally what happens. If I understand it correctly, sounds like you may want to move the shells around more freely, and keep the Pea contained. If so, then you may want to look into the Bottom Ridge Shells, a slightly different style, but allows you movement of shell and Pea in a way that it sounds like you’re looking for. I have dealt with Al (3shells.com) a couple of times and I can tell you he was patient with my very limited knowledge and helped me out, and the customer service he supplies is GREAT. Do some research on these shells, and the Pea he has on his site also. Good Luck... |
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BeThePlunk Special user West of Boston, East of Eden 887 Posts |
Thanks, skyfire (and Al) - I thought it was normal to switch shells from side to side -- end to end. Nothing fancy, just, "Follow the pea, folks!" Isn't that how it usually goes? How could someone sell shells and peas that don't do something as basic as that?
Or is there something about the mechanics of this that I just don't understand yet? I guess I'd better read up on this routine first. |
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BeThePlunk Special user West of Boston, East of Eden 887 Posts |
OH! Nooooooooowwwwwww I get it! Thanks for bearing with me.
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shellgame-al Veteran user Arizona, USA 352 Posts |
Wizzard is right. You should first get "The Three Shell Game" book. This will tell you the basics of the shell game. Like he says, it does not cost much and then you will have a better understanding of things. Not that you have to do everything the same way as in the book, but it will give you the big picture of what you need to know and you can go on from there.
Thank you, Skyfire
Manufacture of 3 Shell Game Sets & 3 Disk Monte Sets
3shells.com and magicswindles.com |
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Nate The Magician Regular user 159 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-12-13 02:47, shellgame-al wrote: I absolutely agree- my local grocery store has me pegged as "That guy who buys three nuts every month" As for learning the game, stick around some people who do it (ahem) For A Living. Not magicians. The other fellows. Trust me, you'll learn a bunch. |
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shellgame-al Veteran user Arizona, USA 352 Posts |
I agree you can learn more from some of the real ones that do it for a living, but that is much easier said than done.
Manufacture of 3 Shell Game Sets & 3 Disk Monte Sets
3shells.com and magicswindles.com |
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ROBERT BLAKE Inner circle 1472 Posts |
First decide if you want to do a demonstration or want to play the game. most magician are unsure about this. play the game as it is with friends and you will see a different behavior from the humans who play it. they try to trick you with smart talk. I once explains the rules and that nobody was to touch the shells. one lady was offended because she tought that I was accusing her of cheating. this threw me off. I learned there that these are my rules take it or leave. the mindset of the people is different. if you do a demonstration the people are only watching you and you show.
most magicians don't want to offend the audience when they loose. well the audience is as mean to the shell game man too. so I have no problems with that. I have played 3 card monte with the bent corner. in all those years no spectator ever said to me;"mister there is a corner bent". |
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Hey Bob! Great sdvice from an obviously veteran "nut game" guy!
Too many,never understand the psychology! O
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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ROBERT BLAKE Inner circle 1472 Posts |
Dick, thanks. nice that you are back in good health.
---------------------------------------------------- the 3 shell game is a compleet street act where you have to attract the crowd - explain the game - play the game. dealing with the players is very rewarding and will help you how to handle those difficult people. a lesson well worth the affort for your magical carreer. |
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Yeah, I'm out of the hospital, but it will take awhile before I'm ready to hit the road--(if ever!)
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Fabian99 New user 26 Posts |
A turned over close up pad
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ROBERT BLAKE Inner circle 1472 Posts |
The school for scoumdrels sell the "introduction to the shell game". on it they have some pdf's. one of them is the Beaumont routine. he explains how to make a board. plywood with 1" foamrubber and over it some velvet (not velveteen). I did as instructed and went to a furniture maker who assemble the velvet on the board. all I can say that this is one of the best investments I did. never had a better close up pad. this is a real dream and it really enhanced your play. with it I suggest the perfect pea and the school for scoundrels street shells.
ask POP (Whit) Haydn for more info. he is here a regurlar and a nice helpfull person. |
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jbohn Regular user Minneapoils, MN 102 Posts |
A carpet square will work in a pinch, as will a newspaper - but a decent pad is definitely worth it.
As far as the shells - #0000 steel wool will fix the snagging issue. I use a Vernet set fairly often, and that's all it took to make them stop snagging and become useful. Of course, good shells are a thing of beauty, too; I love the Black Fox set I picked up some years ago. I second the recommendation to get in touch with Whit - he's a heck of a resource. His Scoundrels Forum has a lot of info, as well. |
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