Can anyone recommend to me any shells better than Vernet? And does anyone know a good dvd to purchase for the routine?

the street shells from Whit Haydn http://www.chefanton.com/scoundrelsstore/shell_game.htm

La Maggiore shells from Andrew Pinard http://www.threeshellgame.com

Both come with the perfect "perfect peas"

Both shell sets are great.

Videos:
kohler's for the routine
SFS DVD for learning the moves, extra bits, history
Phill Cass video for the psychology

consider... you mix them up, and several people yell and point to different shells. in this scenario, you're going to get caught every time because all 3 shells are being pointed to. kohler teaches how to solve this problem. Plus, his routine is excellent.

consider...you have a wise-guy. or are interested in history, different moves and different ways to mix the shells. SFS is the best for that. A nice simple routine is included as well. Very well done DVD.


consider... you have a room full of people that have already watched you do this and now the big cheese and his wife come over. so many people have seen you by now that you want to do something mind blowing. The Phill Cass routine is the best for this. Entertaining an entire room full of people with the shells such that they are on the edge of their seat. Nothing difficult move-wise but Not for beginners.

If you're looking for something different, have a look at Black Fox's scarab beetle shells: http://www.blackfoxtradingandmagic.com/magic.htm

These are also available from Whit Haydn & Chef Anton's store. Whit's SFS DVD is the best - the disc is loaded with extras.

Richard

I feel that the best shell routine is Frank Garcia's classic book All In A Nut Shell. He used three large walnut shells with a sponge pea and would entertain audiences at trade shows from one to one hundred.

If the audience is seated the right way the shells can entertain a room full of people.

Good luck!

...and ask Glenn about his e-book. That's well worth getting too.
(is it still available on your website, Glenn?).

Richard

Thanks richard, yes it is a free download at my web site and in the s4s forum of Whit Hadyn.

Glenn

If you want an overview of shells, without any particular critical comments about any set, check out the shell game page at the cups and balls museum. The link is in my signature line.

I have a set of the Scarabs, very nice and I recommend them if you want a different style. I've uses quite a few different sets, but only 2 really have handled well, the first set being from Karl Norman and the other from Whit, both of these are top notch sets of shells and the peas are perfect.

Jake

Thank you for telling me EVERYTHING guys. I needed your support. If you need a favor, PM me.