[Ads-l] three card monte demos

[Bill Mullins]

Here, a group of magicians recreate how a monte mob
works.  There is lots of psychology involved
to get the mark to bet, and bet large.   As in real mobs, the whole group coordinates
to scam the mark.  Note how they get him accustomed to placing money on the table when it isn't his, to break his resistance to betting his own money.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtEbtQwpwMw
One feature missing from this recreation is the presence of some large muscular guys who would happily beat up the mark if he tries to grab the operator's money, if he too-vigorously complained about being cheated, or do anything that would queer the scam.


The
"operator" is Gazzo, a street magician who is well known for his cups
and balls routine (at the end, a cantaloupe appears from under his bowler
derby).  The guy in sunglasses and the
black athletic shirt on the operator's left is R. Paul Wilson, a Scottish
magician (and friend of mine) who just published a book on cons: http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Con-Hustler-Scammed/dp/1493000608
.  The "smoother"/pickpocket at the end is
the late Irish magician, Billy McComb, who was a fixture at the Magic Castle in the years before he died.  He had a bit part in the Clive Barker horror film "Lords of Illusion", which had a couple of scenes filmed at the Magic Castle.

 

Here, Ricky Jay (with a little help from Steve Martin)
demonstrates the "bent corner" dodge, which has been used for well over
a hundred years by monte operators to hustle the marks.

http://video.vanityfair.com/watch/ricky-jay-performs-three-card-monte-with-steve-martin

 

 

Magician Bob Sheets does the 3 shell game.  This version is for entertainment, rather
than to separate you from your money. 
But Sheets does the appropriate sleight of hand as good as anyone.

https://vimeo.com/28435474

I've seen him do it live, and it's even more impressive when
you are only a few feet away. 		 	   		  
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