What’s the best scam/magic trick to win money?

Shell game

The Question Divination
Psychic Surgery
3 Card Monte

Two headed or tailed quarter (state quarters.)

Any monte efect... you should look up Paul Zennon's 100 ways to win a tenner!!! It's all "gambling" effects


alan

A well practiced monte game using beermaths will win you a lot of money... (guess you'll give it back since it's just for fun) right?

Well if you are doing this for someone who already knows you are a magician, then you probably won't win too much money. Although, if you do the tricks for someone who doesn't know you, then you could win some money.
I would do the three card monte. Never fails.

Don't forget about "Fast and Loose"! The age-old scam is rather under-exposed currently and while most people have heard of three-card monte, almost no one knows about Fast and Loose. I have been playing this with people for a while, and no one has ever beat me yet!

The School for Scoundrels book on the subject is comprehensive, and delves deeply into the psychology behind the scam. That is: If you do it right, people will WANT to place a bet against you.

Of course, the outcome is firmly under your thumb the whole time, and no one wins unless you want them to. The cool thing is that it seems SO FAIR. Whit Haydn has put out a great item here!

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibility if you beat someone out of their lunch money and they are bigger than you.

Jay

Shell game

Second recommendation for Paul Zenon's 100 ways to win a tenner - best book on bar scams I've seen - and cheap as well!

Does anyone know if this book is available here in the states? Please let us know..thanks

Best thoughts,
John Smetana

The money in the matchbox trick. It's more of a con. I like the fact that it's done with the "victim's" consent as you walk away with their hard earned cash!

I usually give the money back.
Usually.

I made $60 one night in a bar floating money. I did it the first time with my own $1 bill, and when the requests came to see it again, I refused... until they started saying I could keep the money. I said I needed a 5, then a 10....

Hahaha.

How about magically changing their borrowed $20 into a $1 bill and magically returning the $1 bill to them?

The shell game, or and 3 card monte. I use Michal Skinner's U3CM .

Does pickpocketing count?

How about the circus card trick? That one is hilarious to me.

Any kind of Monte are the best for me.

My brother used to take my Scotch&Soda to school and fllece his classmates.