Whit -

Fabulous!! At long last! I take it this is a DVD. Are you releasing the information in book form as well? Finally, are you guys going to be selling the new items at the World Magic Seminar in Vegas next month or do I have to order it from you. If you have done for the shell game what you did for Three Card Monte, this will be an instant classic!

Bill

Full support to the gentleman above!

I would also love to have a book on the shells from sfs, like the GREAT one on the monte! I have nothing against DVDs, mind you, and I'll probably buy them too!
But nothing beats a book, more space for background & history, which is just as interesting, and can be used as a basis for a presentation.
So I eagerly await the book...

Bjørn

This is the first in a series of DVD's on the shell game. It is the "School for Scoundrels Shell Game Series Volume I." This first volume is called "An Introduction to the Shell Game," but it is much more than that.

Over an hour of video, and over 80 pages of .pdf files are contained on the DVD.

Bob Sheets and I teach the all the major sleights and concepts that will form the basis for a whole new system for the shell game, and a whole new way of looking at the shells. This video contains a lot of unpublished, original material on the shells, created by Chef Anton, Bob Sheets and myself. New moves, maneuvers, ruses and subtleties. These form the basis for our system which is unique and unassailable.

Following videos will explore the system further, showing the different ways it can be used and unfolding the many possibilities. The Sheets Stack and the Sharper pen will be part of the incredible new gimmicks that will carry the system to its full potential.

This is stuff that has been kept very under wraps for a long time, and we believe it is the first really revolutionary work with the shells since Chanin, Osborne, and Joseph.

This is a practical oriented series put together by S4S in conjunction with Bob Sheets--not an in depth study. This series is not like the Fast and Loose and Three-Card Monte DVD's and books. It is a separate thing.

Our "Notes on the Shell Game" book and DVD are still coming, but it may be a year or so still on that. That will be the in-depth look at the game, with the history, psychology, street sense, encyclopedia of moves, dramatic re-enactments, etc., just like our Three-Card Monte dvd and book. These dvd's and books are the texts for our month long School for Scoundrels course at the Magic Castle. The one I am talking about now is totally different.

This, the "Shell Game Series" of DVD's, as opposed to the "Notes" books and accompanying dvds, is action-oriented instruction directed toward the magician/performer who does exhibition routines or wants to work several hours of just the shell game at a corporate event, casino night, or church carnival. It is the original work on the shells that has been in development for the last eight years by Bob, Chef and me.

The first dvd contains the basic moves and patter and routine for a beginning shell game. Then the "Advanced Moves" "Master Moves" and "Maneuvers" that can be layered over that starting routine are taught. When opened as a data disc, the dvd contains several manuscripts, study aids, and other information in printable .pdf format that further explain and expand on the video instruction.

The future dvds in this series will build on this foundation.

Whit -

A great approach and what should be a monumental work when completed. Thanks for the detailed response. I look forward to the entire project.

However, you didn't say if you would be selling the DVD at the World Magic Seminar next month.

Bill

The S4S will not be at the World Magic Seminar. Some of the dealers may have our DVDs.

Whit . This question was posed some while ago.

I find my Street shells a bit slippy, what was the suggestion to help grip them?

Howard

Practice and a light touch are most important.

If you continue to have problems, consider a spot of clear shellac on either side, or a spot of superglue with some grains of white sand dropped on it--this is what the street guys used to do. You will have the same problem with real walnut shells, and truthfully, it is mostly just getting used to handling the shells.

Most people I have talked to have found that it is mostly time and practice that make the difference. Holding too tightly has a tendency to make the shells want to shoot away like a pumpkin seed. Just relax and handle them lightly.

Thanks for your valued comments Whit.Must admit I have only just played with the for a couple of days .

Howard

The Tom Osborne book on the Three Shell game... hmm, well I couldn't find it on the S4S website. Whit, do you know where it is?

Thanks
Rmax

Sure. http://www.chefanton.com/scoundrelsstore/shell_game.htm It's the first book listed under books and videos.

Mr. Haydn:
Will the DVD or Book include Mr. Sheets complete patter of his 3-shell game? If it does... it will be worth whatever you are charging. But the double edge sword will be the bast-ard-izing by amatuers of his patter. On one hand... I want that patter to be documented, on the other I don't. But I guess it is something that needs to be immortalized, in print or media, so other generations can appreciate Mr. Sheet's unmatched wit and style.

It contains complete introduction and patter for the routine that Bob calls his "Basic Routine." This is the routine he did for years, still does in one on one situations, and that he uses with the Scarab Beetle shells created by Black Fox. I suspect that this is the one you are talking about.

Bob has several completely different routines with different presentations. This is the introduction dvd, and the "Basic Routine" contains the story of the origin of the shells among the "ancient egyptians, 1700 BC." This patter is based on the "Dr. Henry Beaumont" routine created and published in the 70's by Doug D. Bush.

That is it. You can give the same lines from a script to numerous actors and only a very few can make you believe, and only one will win the Oscar. I think the same can be said about magicians. The tricks have been out there for years, but only a few magicians can make you believe they "might" be the real thing. Mr. Sheets is one.

-IMO

What about one of your routines Whit. Anyhting strictly original from you, with the complete patter...?

Rmax

You are right, Hank. Bob Sheets knows how to present. He is always a kick to watch, and more than a friend, he is one of my favorite performers.

Rmax:

Not on this one. There is a manuscript of a more advanced routine with patter by Chef Anton and me in .pdf format on this DVD. But it is a collaborative thing. Not "strictly" original.

I will be putting out my own routine and patter on one of the upcoming DVD's.

Another resource is "Karl Norman, 40 Years at the Forks". The same type of brass shells that he used may still be available from Magic Methods, for all I know. If the book is still available, I would think Magic Methods would have it.

I've seen Karl perform his routine several times.

I got the Osborne book- hasn't arived though.

What do you mean by .pdf files, is that on the computer...?

Thanks to all that have posted, and those to come,
Rmax

If you open the dvd on a computer's dvd player, as a data disc, you have access to a collection of photos, manuscripts, study aids, etc. in .pdf format. ".pdf format" is simply Adobe's Acrobat Reader file format--a business standard. You need Acrobat Reader--a free download--to access them.

In my opinion, if you want to learn something well, you should acquire as much material as possible on the subject. I happen to love the shell game and I own the s4s street shells as well as the la maggiore shells. I prefer the la maggiore shells simply because of their size and shape. however, the street shells have a chanin dip that really facilitates the loading and unloading of the pea. they're just not as comfortable for me as the la maggiore shells. but the s4s street shells are definitely a quality product. as far a books go on learning the true hustle....there is nothing better that I've found than tom osbournes book. I would easily pay 100 dollars for it....its that informative. and it breaks down the hustle into lessons to teach you the shells in a step by step "course". each lessons builds on the last. then it goes into what it calls "routines"... but really they are just simple layouts to build your "arsenal". my favorite part of the whole book is a move that I havent found ANYWHERE else that allows you to lift any shell 6-8 inches off the table and show nothing under it and as you bring it back to the table you load the pea under it!!!! and its extremely easy to do!! I don't know why other books or videos don't show this move??!! anyway, I see that youve already purchased the tom osbourne book (wisest choice you could make) and I hope you have the discipline to go through the lessons and routines in order and actually put in the time to learn... itll really pay off more than any video ive seen on the subject (though bob kohlers golden shells is awesome!) and I hope my little input has helped you magicmaven.

Thanks Whit, and Jynx!

Jynx, I can't wait to look through the book, It seems like the "Bobo" of the 3 shell game, no? I will make sure not to give up on it; I inferred from Whit that it was somewhat difficult to read, but it will be worth it if you stay with it. I can't wait to dive into some of these books/Dvds!

Rmax Goodwin