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.

[@pulsarlights2825]

What about the card game like this one? Three card monty?

[@sup_my_bwana]

The player then proceeded to shoot him

[@bald_man01]

Now he was earning a living the way he knows, it's people's fault to trust some random person. If that person was a magician people might pay them money to watch the same thing will you still call them scammer.

[@Thesavagesouls]

@@bald_man01 the magician doesn't trick you into the false hope of winning something. How can't you make the difference between making a show and scamming people in the street ?

[@DB-115]

​@@bald_man01 this was from a Chappelle stand up. I agree.. You can't get mad at the scammer if people are willing to play.

[@georgealderson4424]

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

[@georgealderson4424]

@@bitwise.a1 Maybe it's worth losing a bit of money just to see the trick being done and in the hope that it goes wrong so you win!

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

The best tricks are even more impressive when you know how they're done. It doesn't take that long how to learn the three cups and one ball trick. But, once you've got that, you get all sorts of other ones as well with a bit of work.

[@Cabeza492]

The real fact is that is not just how it's done, because once you know how it's done, you would still need a lot of practice to achieve and perfect your skills.

[@chattingesque372]

Because it's also a confidence trick. You have to be a good con man, not just a magician

[@teodormajewski3566]

What if it is an actual sorcery, and this video is just a cover up for actual wizards society?

[@willyrobertlegendre4662]

finally I can sleep again

[@RicoRicardo]

Lol I laughed 2 minutes after reading lol

[@Valerie_On_Yt]

@@RicoRicardo Same for me mate!!!

[@Valerie_On_Yt]

I can also sleep as well! At least he told us how to do it if he didn't I would've died!!!🤣🤯

[@bestplaysroblox4148]

Same

[@babakazi808]

Word 😂

[@prophetmargin7497]

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!

[@BrigCommander]

why are you revealing these magical secrets??

[@prophetmargin7497]

@@BrigCommander Stealing someone's wallet is not a magical secret, its a crime!

[@thebob3712]

joke would be on them, I have no money in my wallet (its a decoy wallet) just condoms that I have poked holes in

[@prophetmargin7497]

@@thebob3712 Saw this scam on an episode of "Scam City", which happens in New Orleans quite often, so be careful if you're going there for the upcoming Mardi Gras, there are pickpockets everywhere in the French Quarter!

[@SayAhh]

@@prophetmargin7497 plot twist: the pea is in the stolen wallet!

[@normanacree1635]

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.

[@arthurwieczorek4894]

So what does this illustrate? Two perspectives; each one being an information channel. One is the mark's perspective and the other is an insight allowing perspective.

[@Martin-iv6lq]

It's just a movie. It was in the script.

[@KpxUrz5745]

Yes! Only in the movies.

[@victoryoneable]

Even if you pick the correct shell, they will make up excuses not to pay up. If you push it, they will get violent. Best course is to take no part in shell games and other similar scams.

[@gljm]

The movie title is actually "Friendly Persuasion" not "Gentle Persuasion"

[@dylangardner5502]

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

[@dannylaw7367]

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

[@stephenbahrmarbles]

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

[@boaconstrictor3754]

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.

[@tmoe6674]

What country?

[@donkashaveli8469]

That’s worldwide lol

[@Chr15T]

In my country, when you play this for money on the street, police will come for you, as it is illegal.

[@cliffontheroad]

@@Chr15T 12 in a crew. They have lookouts. Scatter when cops seen. Just shout youself and watch then scatter, table knocked down.

[@cliffontheroad]

NY City - 12 in a crew, including lookouts and shills for 3 card Monte. If you were to cover where the card IS, forcing them to turn over the one that isn't (none of them are the winning card) and you won, you will get beat up after you walk away, taking your whole wallet. They do not lose.

[@peterkavanagh498]

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!

[@butchjohnson9736]

It's a coincidence. Trust me bro!

[@Voller84]

I once saw this done in Budapest on a beautiful sunny day. I believe it was near Buda Castle with plenty of tourists around. There was for sure an accomplice in the crowd who kept playing and "losing" lots of money by constantly picking the shell that was "obviously" the wrong one. He was there to make the game look extra easy and to bait tourist into stepping in so they could pick the "obviously" correct shell. He also kept money in the pot. There was another big guy in the crow who looked a little fishy and we believed at the time that he was blocking certain visual angles. We kept walking around and a little later we saw FIVE guys hurrying towards a tiny car, cramming in and driving off. We recognised the trickster, the guy who kept losing and the big chap, but had no idea there had been two more in the crowd the whole time.

[@KpxUrz5745]

So true. Seen that angle too!

[@illianderninebees]

Paris.

[@edwardsjohnpaul]

I've watched the dealer ensuring the "marked" player (an obvious tourist) wins a few times, by showing the pea under the cup as it's moved, to make the player confident; then the heavies move in to box in the player, who then cannot leave, and they keep them playing & betting, then losing, just long enough to earn back what was initially lost (on purpose) plus a little more. Quite a good little scam.

[@tiarob5918]

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

[@radishpea6615]

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

[@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.

[@lapideous]

I didn't think about this, good tip. They must know some people know, hustlers won't let you hustle them.

[@moneyonmind2412]

this game will cause fights aha

[@thedarksideoftheforce6658]

That's if you are the muscle. Plus have people with you. I have known this trick and took the hustlers money. They aren't going to touch you if are legal armed to carry and 5 of your friends are armed concealed carry. Plus all MMA fighters big intimidating not fuck around demeanor. Those crackheads know who to try it with. I hate scammers.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

Hustling is frequently magic used to separate people from their money by deception. It's kind of a shame that an electrified wallet isn't likely to be legal. It would be kind of funny to zap the fingers of a would be pickpocket.

[@garybuttherissilent5896]

Crazy how a fun little magic trick is being exploited like that, and that you can be robbed and beaten up for it lol. What a world we live in.

[@jcarden6615]

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

[@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!!

[@MindBlownMagicIllusion]

Thank you

[@scptime1188]

Yeah, I'm into magic and rven tricks that i know deeply and do all the time, still fool me when performed by more skilled people. Like, i get the trick, but HOW IS IT SO CLEAN!

[@jbeezly323]

It did not came from Tik tok people have been playing this game for years.

[@TunedRAMS]

@@jbeezly323 I came from TickTock, now do you get it?

[@spongebobsquarepants3770]

@@TunedRAMS I got it, but I’m still giving you a stupid thumbs down because you came from TikTok! 😕

[@tamirerez2547]

Before the explanation I thought you are a MAGICIAN. After the expiration I realized you are WIZARD. Real one.

[@lordfarquad1735]

I rewatched this 2 times after watching your explanation, it still fooled me after watching it! 😂 well done

[@SThompsonRAMM_1203]

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

[@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 !

[@chaosstorm0967]

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!

[@simonstyles4536]

Send me a copy when it's finished, I'm already intrigued

[@KingGogh]

The amount of skill this takes, is INSANE!! The absolute slightest mistake of the pea being revealed, could cause you to get shot 😂

[@owenearl2505]

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

[@bald_man01]

Ok but why don't you drink a glass of water first and calm down

[@bardu13]

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.

[@FURYBrenton]

It’s sleight of hand btw.

[@rosiefay7283]

@@FURYBrenton This is how an American accent is confusing.

[@FURYBrenton]

@@rosiefay7283 Americans are just confusing in general.

[@pot_kivach160]

wow! Thank you very much for explaining this one! This is probably the best trick I ever seen. Even after you explained it, it is hard for me to follow the it.

[@GregMoress]

Finally!!! I understand the mystery of the three sea shells! And as Monk would say..... "Wipe!"

[@davep7176]

From thumbnail I thought we were finally going to learn the mystery of the three shells

[@FueRent]

hahahha he doesnt know how to use three shells!

[@A.D-.]

@@FueRent I can see how that would be confusing

[@CMHC]

Thank you for showing this. Working on this right now

[@carmcarm8230]

Great trick and amazing explanation

[@kcwatkins4377]

Wish I'd seen this $27 ago. This brought me joy. ☮️

[@SMOOVKILL1]

I remember this from the 80's and people are still falling for it to this day.

[@Cam-SB]

I did see the move finally after rewatching! 🤯

[@willsthiek1953]

Wow!! This is what I am waiting for! Thank you, you're my hero..

[@ronaldl9085]

Besides stealing your money with the trick, there are often pick pockets around the table who just watch where you put your wallet.

[@HunterChristianDarkman]

That would be the high tech way. This can also be done with regular props (grab a small marble and any 3 opaque glasses, for example. As you move the glass with the marble forward, slightly lift up the back edge and curl your little finger around the marble as it exists. Reverse the process to deposit it in one of the other glasses.

[@jeffreyjohnson9821]

I’m intrigued ! I appreciate you showing how the trick works. Thanks for taking the time to show everyone !!

[@getminesallday24]

I'm at Venice Beach right now making 800 Dailey thanks for showing us how it's done

[@swedishpsychopath8795]

I earned 70$ on the street in Morocco after watching this video. Now what do I do with the hord of angry shell-game hustlers outside the hotel?

[@antoninsebera152]

This is best explanation I ever saw. Thanks

[@beverlycastil5868]

My mind was blown how simple it was. Amazing

[@danterusso6354]

Very nice!! Easily the best explanation for this trick.

[@reuvengershon6625]

Thankyou for the presentation and tutorial

[@billyhendrix4775]

I subscribed just because of this video and it’s the only vid I’ve seen of yours. Thank You.

[@MindBlownMagicIllusion]

Thank you

[@colmdoran9026]

I had a lot of fun doing this trick over the years. I never did it for gain but from time to time I would encounter a “smart arse”. That was when I would have serious fun!!

[@eiandolo]

This is absolutely amazing!!!

[@mgiebus1869]

Wow, that did actually blow my mind

[@dennysautorepair946]

I went to the explanation video just to confirm what I thought I saw. For once I was correct! I’m going to watch some more of these shorts now😂

[@raybede]

That is just brilliant. I have now realised how dexterous you need to be. I have arthritic thumbs, I am banjaxed!!!

[@thevanishingsaxon663]

I keep seeing comments about tiktok, but this is an old, REALLY old street hustlers trick.

[@WXUZT]

Remarkable And Thank You for your Effort and Time !

[@The_Wanderer...]

Incredible slight of hand

[@kevinwhelan9607]

Fascinating. Thank-you 🎉

[@markoshun]

Saw a version of this with Pen and Teller. They used golf balls, and even switched to clear glasses.. Human's can do some amazing things.

[@imustbegettinolder4434]

Interesting. Thank you. And thank you for asking your readers to "consider subscribing".

[@hulkhuggett]

Short and to the point!

[@jimbolater4328]

Extremely impressive!

[@Alamobe]

Never gamble with a magician. Your money will soon be theirs.

[@spaideman7850]

never gamble, all your money will be theirs. tons of 'magicians' in casinos/any gambling den.

[@ayejay4028]

@Vozeb Plus no there will be other people there with them, theyll use physical force its impossible to win thats why its called a “hustle”

[@ayejay4028]

@Vozeb Plus thats what these people do… and scamming is stealing

[@ayejay4028]

@Vozeb Plus its still a form of stealing

[@zibsa843]

That’s the old there it is now it’s not! Abra-kabadra! 😂

[@nuengsexpistols278]

Thanks you for this tutorial shell games 💝💝💝💝👍🇹🇭

[@techunitedbiz4311]

Brilliant! Thank you!

[@ricosuave8123]

Knowing my luck, I wouldn’t be able to catch the little rubber pea quick enough, or even if I somehow managed to catch it, I’d not cover it up good enough with my fingers to make the switch to the other shell. Nicely done and good explanation.

[@robertshawiv1513]

That’s amazing!

[@joeenglert]

this guy makes it look easy with his magic fingers

[@FrankFalcon-ey9gw]

Thank you for this excellent ❤😊

[@DrViktorFrankenstein]

Bottle caps and foam ball, that's how I learned it.

[@benji.B-side]

I got done for £50 in Benidom, back in 1989. Thanks for clearing up my demons on this. haha

[@andiedel]

100 DM, Berlin, 1993 🤘😎🤚

[@MalcolmJames-sg3zg]

Thanks for sharing

[@martifingers]

It's a public service revealing this trick. Thanks!

[@prot07ype87]

Got a good laugh out of this video, haha. it was very funny seeing this for some reason.

[@davidmalton3984]

Hello My Friend, This Was a Fine Tutorial, Very Clearly Explained!!!!! I Have Liked And Subscribed, Thanks For Sharing, Have a Great Day . . . : 0 )

[@NicolasValentinScotland]

You did great . Soft ball does the trick .

[@AlexXanderMarketing]

“If you’re going to be doing this professionally” 😂

[@JeffintheD]

Very cool. Came from your TikTok account.

[@daviontekocol5837]

Love the trick! People on your tiktok kept saying it was fake and edited so I came to see the KZbin video on it and it's not fake or edited! You earned my subscription💯

[@spectrum7virkeytroni]

"People on your tiktok kept saying it was fake and edited " ...gives you an idea of the level of intelligence of the people who waste their time on TikTok.

[@mohdshazrin5762]

U deserve every subs

[@rb_4SecuredWorld]

Definitely shows that plenty of practice will be necessary until subtle deception is such a Simply Perfect Con.

[@GrumpyGustav]

Thank you very much for fantstic video.

[@johns9652]

In certain seedy underbelly portions of the US, the shell game is replaced by 3 card Monte. I watched and warned many military compatriots not to play, Of course, they did anyway. Marines, stay away from Oceanside, in Cali. Or at least be aware that there is more going on under the cover of darkness than you realize, especially at the bus station near the strip joint. I spent most of my time at Pendleton just trying to keep my nose clean, while spending weekends out in town, going to the comic shop, Sharky's pizza shop (or was it Shakey's? The manager had a bit of the shakes, whether that was from a medical condition or drinking, I have no clue) or going to the hotel "Dolphin" just to get off base and sleep like a normal MF'er back home.

[@jesusmarrero4328]

How does the oea come out? Is the shell tilted forwRd?

[@johnnyxmusic]

Fantastic!

[@musicoldies83]

The shysters who perform this trick in major tourist areas for money actually move the shells around closer to their end of the table, where - thru the same sleight of hand - they actually take the pea and drop it off the table onto their lap instead of putting it into another shell, so that if you're the sucker who just laid down hard cash, it's automatically lost - even if you try to pick another shell where logic dictates it isn't, as in the above video.

[@gummybearthug5337]

What if you ask them to show all 3 shells and everyone realises no peas are under the shells? Would they get angry or something?

[@musicoldies83]

@@gummybearthug5337 You still lose, because not only were you fooled by the con artist's sleight of hand, you were also fooled by his sleight of voice instruction as well. If you fully pay attention to what the trickster is stating, he's only asking you to "guess where the pea is", or with the more misleading instruction of "guess which shell the pea is under" - making that request the sole subject matter of the situation (only your "guess" - with absolutely nothing mentioned by him regarding his own actions). IOW, he will never tell you that the pea will specifically be under one of the 3 shells after he does the shuffle. Hence, after the shuffle, you then guess that it's under the shell that you point out, and it turns out that it's not. Case closed - you lose.

[@gummybearthug5337]

@@musicoldies83 Thank you for clearing that up.

[@johnstack5008]

@@gummybearthug5337 After you have picked the shell, he can use misdirection tactics and slip a pea under one of the other shells. For example, you pick the shell, and he pushes that shell away from the others and delays turning it over. Maybe cracking a joke or something. While everybody's attention is on that shell, he can slip a pea under one of the other shells using sleight of hand,

[@Geeksq]

You're the genius!!

[@lothean2099]

Awesome. Always wondered

[@gopokemon7544]

Nice illusions!

[@markheitz7963]

Nice 1 BUDDY gonna give it a go

[@MindBlownMagicIllusion]

Who you calling buddy, pal? :)

[@yassineboxing]

Very good, thank you for sharing with as the trick 🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽

[@polygonalmasonary]

Finally, a magic trick explanation I actually 'understand' duh :-)

[@gameboy5869]

2:27 -they thinks it's there so they are watching INTENSELY 👀 😆🤣

[@Bongoslam]

Amazing video. this will save John Spartan a ton of fines.

[@geoycs]

Awesome!

[@nivi319]

very clever and great video

[@ironsentinel6047]

Now I know how to use the three seashells!

[@webhead66]

I grab it between the tip of my pinkie and the tip of my ring finger. Seems easier to hide it that way, you can spread the other fingers a little bit more as a psychological hint that your hand is empty.

[@five6501]

When he's done, simply pick up two (off course emty shells) when they ask you where they pea is and say "not in these two" ! And then start running because they know, you figured them out and are not happy ! 😬💪🏻

[@jackbrady1103]

Thank you.

[@alittax]

Thank you very much!

[@williamj.sheehan2001]

OUTSTANDING!

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

Thank you!

[@dmitrit81]

I like this magic trick; thanks

[@KpxUrz5745]

I used to often watch these scammers in NYC ply their dishonest trade. Sometimes someone would actually choose the correct shell, in which case they would still not let you win. They would just continue the game and talk over you. One time I saw a female play the game, somehow they paid her win of $20 and were sure she would lose much more by continued play, but she walked away a winner. Well these miserable thugs usually have cohorts stationed nearby in both directions. So a cohort saw this girl was walking away as a winner; he quickly tripped her so she fell flat on the sidewalk, injuring her. This is how these lowlifes play this game.

[@bloc0102]

Or the people that win are in on it.

[@Bokkie100k]

And picking the pockets of the people watching

[@patsk8872]

If they did that to me, none of them would survive

[@KpxUrz5745]

Another trick these lowlifes use: If you put your money down on the wrong shell, of course they snap up your cash and open the shells, proving you picked wrong. But if you put money on the correct shell, they have a way to keep talking and keep reshuffling the shells. They do anything in order to never have to pay you. There is not a shred of honesty or fairness about this game. They are simply the lowest form of thugs and thieves.

[@rastapete100]

The shell game isn't dishonest. There is no rule that says the pea won't be moved. You just assume it can't be. Not paying someone who picks the right one is dishonest though.

[@Hackerzx]

Subscribed ❤️

[@MTCLVA]

Got me good the 1st time haha 🤣

[@Alamobe]

Even after you showed how you did it, I watched the beginning again and couldn’t see the pea transfer at all.

[@CT2507]

yea the transfer or steal and load as its called is almost impossible to detect. but once you know how this is done, you can logically follow the pea.

[@Twobarpsi]

Magic!

[@GG-ow3ke]

Really? I saw it very clearly.

[@Jaaammmbbbooo]

Turn playback speed to .25

[@Alamobe]

@@Jaaammmbbbooo Thanks. I tried what you suggested and I STILL can’t see it.