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Just question for all of you other con man game lovers. What do you prefere to perform for the public and friends? Three Shell Game or Three Card Monte?

For they both share their own pros and cons. With Shells they have the advantage of the "flash move" wereas you can show the other two shells empty then reveal the pea there a later stage. But then you are able to do the same with the cards, with the all famous "mexican turnover"

I find cards add that little extra charm, but then the shell game is somthing that people just wanna play.

What do you think the better choice is? Or should we just be using what is opropriate for the occassian?

Keep in mind that there are several versions of the "three card monte", which one are you refering to? The gimmicked one, or the "sleight of hand" one? Anyway, it all depends on your sorroundings doesn't it? The shell game requires a smooth pad or something, as you can't do it on a table. As the card monte, doesn't really require anything. If you do the ungimmicked monte, I would prefer that one, as the throwing of the cards is pure sleight of hand, and the cards can be examined at any time. Of course, the shell game can also be examined, but it does require the pad.

Having said this, which probably didn't help you too much - I would say that the 3 shell game is a very funny game. it can really f**k with ppl mind and get a real laugh. You can make anything happen, and you can fool them at any time. If you want them to be correct, you can make them be correct, and opposite. That's not the case with the 3 card monte. So, in such a way, they are very different. So it depends on your specs as well. Are you fooling kids and want them to be correct, or do you want to sc*ew drunk people and mak'em have wrong all the time?

Yeh, sorry about the unclarity of my last post.

I was just refering to the non gaffed three card monte.

Also I thought I'd ask while I'm here, what three shells are you using? Because mine seem to work on any surface. I can perform it on a solid table top, tiles, a car bonet, anything. I don't know if this will change your answer but I just thought I'd throw that in.

I getting the two pack DVDs from Penguin magic so ill be doing both

I like doing a fun one with kids where instead of shells or cards I use three tiny toy frogs. I have a small squeeker in my hand and the kids have to find the one frog that squeeks. I always seem to win a first then I let the smallest kid win.

It's not so much the shells, as the pea that dictates on which surfaces you can do the three shell game. Louis, have you got a 'School for Scoundrels' 'Perfect Pea', by any chance, or possibly a knock-off of their one? That's designed so that a mat is not required.

The Three Shell Game has more moves and options that Three Card Monte, and that's according to Whit Haydn. There's plenty you can do with the cards, though.