The Shell Game (Magic Trick Explained)

You’ve seen the three card Monte trick where you have to follow the queen. It’s never where you think it is though because the card handler is a master at sleight of hand. This is the three shell game, which works in a similar way. Learn the secret move that makes it possible to fool them every time.

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[VeganDoris]

I saw a scammer doing this trick in NYC, playing for money. Whenever someone chose a shell, he would say, "this one?" and roll it slightly backward and forward. The person would say yes, and of course he would turn it over and the pea would not be under there. By rolling the shell every time before turning it over (thereby removing the pea), he guaranteed that the person would always be wrong, even if they caught him switching the shells earlier.

[georgealderson]

The trick is still impressive even when you know how it is done. Thank you!

[stephenbahrmarbles]

The motion of the magician’s hand are incredibly smooth here. Well done! 🔵

[dylangardner]

Very very clean. I had to watch a couple times. He did it so smooth.

[prophetmargin]

The real scam with the shell game is there will usually be plants in the crowd who are pickpockets, so while you're watching the scam, someone's scamming you!

[normanacree]

In the movie 'Gentle Persuasion', the youngest child was watching this at a fair. His eyes were at the surface level of the table and he kept getting the shell right because he could see what was happening and driving the scammer crazy. One of my all time favorite movie scenes.

[dannylaw]

I never knew how this was done. I always thought the hand just shot it quickly to the next shell. Nice work.

[boaconstrictor]

In my country, those who deal with it for money have tactics to gather a lot of people around them, 3-4 of whom are their "players" who mostly hit and the one who "plays with shells" pays them big money. I watched one who did it for 2 hours, and concluded that in that period of tens of thousands of euros turned, he i.e. "they" earned maybe 200, which is in fact a nice salary for such a little work.

[Zone_Stomper]

It may be a good magic trick but it's also often used as a hustle.
Even if you know where the pea is and call it out, the hustlers will not give you the money. And there is usually muscle not too far away.
Do not bet on this game. Don't even reveal that you have any money. It may be safe to watch from a distance.

[radishpea]

So that is how it is done. No matter how closely I thought I watched this trick, I never got it, thank you for explaining and showing

[peterkavanagh]

I have seen this game played in many parts of Europe. Sometimes players "win" but, strangely, those winners nearly always seem to look very much like the guy doing the trick!

[jcarden]

Wow. Simple but this takes lots of practice 👍 great job

[chaosstorm]

I'm starting to research some famous sleight of hand tricks for a short fiction story, and these explanations are really helpful for my research! Thanks for being so clear about how the trick functions from the performer's side, not just the observer's!

[TunedRAMS]

Came from TikTok!!!! I knew it!!! But seriously even I know and it still gets me cuz you’re good at it!! Thanks for sharing!!

[tiarob]

Thank you! This trick was driving me crazy. I knew you moved the pea but I couldn't figure out how and when

[SThompsonRAMM_]

I ordered the shells from your link and you are so right, these are absolutely beautiful. I am so happy with this set!

[owenearl]

*A VERY CLEAN AND SUPER TUTORIAL SO EASY TO FOLLOW THANKS MUCH*

[bardu]

On my opinion this is the best slide of hand I've ever seen (one off's). Obviously the materials of the products helps, but I've never seen someone explain this in details the Way that you explained. Thanks.

[ThePackDad]

Funny thing is I saw the bump/lift of the shell as you rolled the pea out from the middle and figured that's when it happened, but I rewound 5 times before watching the explanation and couldn't see it happen even though I knew it was. 😂🤣 Well done !

[MindBlownMagicIllusion]

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