I have a lot of performances where I cheat the spectators out of the fake money they get at the start of their party. I use all kinds of different gambling games for this and of course the three shell game is one of them. During these performances there will often be people who spend a lot of time watching my games. When I first started doing this, I just had a couple of patterns that I used for the shell game and it often happened that a spectator who had been watching for a while could figure out where the pea was by watching closely at the pattern I used for moving the shells. When I used one pattern, the pea would always end under the left shell, and when I used another pattern it would always end under the middle one.

To solve this problem I devised patterns that are all very similar, yet allow the performer to start with the pea under any shell, end with the pea under any shell and have the spectators think the pea is under any shell the performer wants them to think it's under. So if you want to start with the pea under the left shell, end under the middle shell and want the specators to think it ends under the right shell, there's a pattern for that. For any combination you want there's a pattern, except for where the pea starts under the left shell and ends under the right shell and vice versa, because it is very awkward to steal the pea with the left hand and then load it under the right shell. However, I have solved this by combining patterns.
I also feel that these patterns are very easy to learn, even though there are quite many of them. The patterns are devised in such a way, that all the moves are very logical. Once you have made the first two or three moves, the rest of the moves follow almost automatically.
I now feel I could just play the game for the same people over and over again and they will never recognise any patterns.

Since some people here might find this interesting, I have written all the patterns in a booklet, explained in a very clear way. Every pattern has five illustrations. Next to every illustration is a short but clear explanation of how the shells need to be moved. The shell under which the pea started has a thick line, so you can follow where the spectators think the pea is very easily as well.
At the end of the booklet I have written every pattern again, but in a very short notation. It will take a little getting used to this notation, but once you are, these short notations are very good for when you need a quick recap of the patterns (maybe you haven't used them in a while and want a quick practice).

Peter

How do we order a copy of the book?

I'd also like info on getting a copy.

Thanks for the interest. They're 15 euro's each + shipping. PM me with where you're located and I'll let you know how to get a copy.

Peter

I said this on another forum...maybe someone could get a few copies and I would love to get one. I do not have pay pal, but could send someone a money order as I have with others when I purchase something.

I heard this was good.

-Scott M

Hi Scott M,

is Western Union not an option for you? Otherwise we could maybe do a trade? PM me if you're interested in that.

Peter