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Can anyone recomend what surface is best for the three shell game? I bought a set at the recent Bristol Day of Magic, and have been trying it out. I have found that the normal kitchen table doesn't quite do it (not enough friction, the experts at this will know what I mean - its possible this is the bit I getting wrong!) but a closeup mat is to grippy (the shells don't slide around properly)

have you tried a mouse mat the shinny version should give you enough slip and the microtextured surface should give you the needed traction.

thanks for that magicdiscoman. I sould have thought of that working with computers all day! I'll certainly give it a try tonight.

Mind you with the new optical mice, you don't need a mat so there aren't so many about.

I have been having the same problem. I have the S4S DVD and on it Bob Sheets is using a table with a soft, carpet-like surface. I have tried on a small mat that I use and the shells seem to pull the pile and don't slide easily.
I tried mouse mats and they work better, although the patterns don't show the pea up to advantage and they are rather small.
Comments from experienced practitioners would be welcome.
The S4S shells apparently can be used on a hard surface, without mat, which should be useful - expensive though.

I am using a close up mat, and it works smoothly. I use the red one from Penguin. I remember it was a bit unnatural in the start, but practice makes perfect.

Btw, it's a beautiful trick.

Have you tried smoothing the Shells with a bit of wax/pollish on the bottom. this might get them moving a bit better on a close up mat, if thay are catching try using a very fine file to take the burr off. Be carful though Shells aren't a cheap thing to be filing down.

BobGreaves wrote:The S4S shells apparently can be used on a hard surface, without mat, which should be useful - expensive though.

It's the pea that's important, not the shells. Most types of pea will work on a surface with some give, like a close-up mat. The S4S 'Perfect Pea' should work on just about any surface. I think you can get the peas without having to buy another set of shells.

As to the shells sticking on the mat, it will rather depend what type f mat you use. The table Bob Sheets and Whit Haydn use seems to be coated in something that resembles a table cloth my mother had. I suspect a piece of velvet might do the trick.

Yes you are quite right about the peas. However I also understand that the S4S shells are modified to be slightly different from the normal shape. This also makes it easier on a hard surface.

I think you can get the peas without having to buy another set of shells.

Check out cards4magic, they offer several types and permutations of special and regular ones without having to buy any shells - especially great if you prefer to use bottle caps instead of shells!

BobGreaves wrote:Yes you are quite right about the peas. However I also understand that the S4S shells are modified to be slightly different from the normal shape. This also makes it easier on a hard surface.

Now I understand why I didn't follow your earlier point.

You are talking about the Chanin Dip, I think. That makes it easier on any surface, not just for hard or shiny ones. Some people don't like it, I believe, but you can't please all of the people all of the time.

Part-Timer wrote:

BobGreaves wrote:Yes you are quite right about the peas. However I also understand that the S4S shells are modified to be slightly different from the normal shape. This also makes it easier on a hard surface.

Now I understand why I didn't follow your earlier point.

You are talking about the Chanin Dip, I think. That makes it easier on any surface, not just for hard or shiny ones. Some people don't like it, I believe, but you can't please all of the people all of the time.

Yes you got it.