Old Scam Is Becoming Popular Again - How It Works?

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  • čas přidán 22. 05. 2024
  • This trick is really old - yet there are so many people who fall for it. What is it and what should you do if you see it?
    Say "Thanks" or buy us a beer here: / honestguide
    Thank you 💛
    Honest Guide 📸 / realhonestguide
    Janek 🎤 / janekrubes
    Honza 🎥 / honzamikulka
    Facebook 👥 / honestpragueguide
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    0:00 Cups and Balls Scam
    0:28 History of the Trick
    2:21 Magician Explains How It Works
    5:04 Test - Play With Us
    8:21 Arcade Game Scam
    8:49 Get Rich Quick Scheme
    10:15 Czech Word
    10:31 BONUS
    Thank you for your support!
    Janek Rubeš & Honza Mikulka, Prague based journalists
    #HonestGuide

Komentáře • 802

  • @HONESTGUIDE
    @HONESTGUIDE  Před 3 měsíci +7

    If you're still not sure how it works after watching this video, please watch this ▶️ czcams.com/video/v8HKCwwYmcc/video.html

    • @ramases1
      @ramases1 Před měsícem

      Doesn't show how the beer mat and x works!!!?

    • @diogendiogen8377
      @diogendiogen8377 Před 17 dny

      With all the respect, we are from Macedonia.
      North is nothing to do with us.
      Thank you

  • @DoubleU555
    @DoubleU555 Před rokem +2156

    Am I the only one little disappointed that we got no explanation how that "magic" trick works? I mean it's pretty obvious that it's made in a way that scammer has full control over the result, but I expected Jakub to show how he does it instead of basically repeating the same thing three times.

    • @johnsmith99997
      @johnsmith99997 Před rokem +214

      for the cards, the tourist showed it, for the bottle caps there is something sticky on the underside and there is a cap with a coin already in it. And for the cups, either slight of hand or they just squeeze the cup.

    • @scienceevolves4417
      @scienceevolves4417 Před rokem +74

      Yeahhhhhh
      Highly disappointing

    • @Discoveryjamie
      @Discoveryjamie Před rokem +23

      Must have missed the part at the start where he explains how it’s done including slight of hand😅

    • @lathiat
      @lathiat Před rokem +6

      Yeah that was probably a bit of an oversight.

    • @amazincrackmonkey7176
      @amazincrackmonkey7176 Před rokem +27

      @@johnsmith99997 the coin is moved when both his are over it, if you flipped all the caps there would only be one coin. The cups used are normally metal but the ball is either very small or made of foam so they can palm it easier. Check out and penn and teller clear balls and cups

  • @deek3048
    @deek3048 Před rokem +554

    The biggest scam is that this video never shows you how it is done!

    • @kruemelfelix
      @kruemelfelix Před rokem +43

      With the cards it is explained by the tourist.
      For the cups you simply squeeze the cup slightly so the object stays inside the cup (you can see it working at 9:15
      And for the bottle caps the one cap is sticky and the other one already has a coin inside it.

    • @Jennyeq
      @Jennyeq Před rokem +8

      on the card game when the cards are stacked he throws the top card down but it's done so quickly you think it's the bottom card. on the 50c game they all have 50c...

    • @shulinos7204
      @shulinos7204 Před rokem +5

      @@Jennyeq how do they all have 50c when he revealed them all and only one had it

    • @Jennyeq
      @Jennyeq Před rokem +2

      @@shulinos7204 they are in the top of the cap.

    • @MrMasterFlash
      @MrMasterFlash Před rokem +1

      @@Jennyeq Maybe. When it's a ball or pea underneath, they have a way of rolling it under another cap when it's underneath their hand.

  • @jayc4283
    @jayc4283 Před 4 měsíci +32

    legend has it, you are still showing examples, but still not showing how it works

    • @FelixNothus
      @FelixNothus Před 3 měsíci +2

      Its something that's done by magicians too and I can see out of respect for that ART, they are not revealing the trick.
      When magicians do it, they clearly say its a scam done on the streets, they're trying to make a living too but honestly by showing "how" the scam works.
      As a street magician who does this on the streets, I appreciate they don't expose how its done in this video.
      (Well, actually, they do... that is to say... the people who "played" the game explain it... that is the honest truth of how the scam is done)

    • @ramases1
      @ramases1 Před měsícem

      The people in the street doing that said how it is done did not explain it. They just badly described (poor English) that you can throw two cards done at once

  • @petergajdosik8873
    @petergajdosik8873 Před rokem +39

    Got scammed of 50€ on this trick in Paris in 2014. How naive I was when I saw their 'scam-colleagues' making easy money while pretending they're on a win streak. Couldn't resist to chip in my note while making plans in my head what will I do with the money I was about to win 😂 my ex didn't talk to me for the rest of that day but I had my life lesson. When seeing these guys in London on one of the bridges hiding their 'tools' from the police, all I'm willing to do is to chuck it all into the Thames

    • @juandenz2008
      @juandenz2008 Před rokem +10

      Thanks for your honesty. People think it won't happen to them, but get caught up in a chance to make easy money. I saw some tourists getting scammed in Paris and warned them. I was a bit nervous because the scammers have quite a large group working with them. Not sure how quickly they resort to violence.

    • @PreservationEnthusiast
      @PreservationEnthusiast Před 3 měsíci +1

      Scam colleagues = shills or stooges

    • @crooked-halo
      @crooked-halo Před 3 měsíci +1

      I'm not saying you're gullible, but if I would have walked up to this game on the street in a touristy area, with people playing and money being passed around, it would take me about two seconds to figure out it is a scam.

  • @blutey
    @blutey Před 3 měsíci +19

    I remember this scam in London's Oxford St in the 1970s. There were always shills playing who would win to lure you in. What gave them away was they all looked the same as the player - they had a slightly disheveled, unkempt appearance about them.

    • @solerso68
      @solerso68 Před 3 měsíci +2

      Its not a "scam" unless one actually believes the performers claim that its done my "magic" ., or as with 3 card monte dealers, one is uninformed enough to bet on the outcome. It just a skilled trick

  • @hiphoponeworld
    @hiphoponeworld Před rokem +68

    ill never forget when i saw this on Unter den Linden in Berlin i 2011, 2-3 guys who were friends of the scammer kept winning and this one guy - the MOST touristy guy you can imagine with the "I Love Berlin t-shirt" - made a 200 euro bet and lost

  • @TiagoRosado
    @TiagoRosado Před rokem +3

    I actually saw this scam in Prague around 2016/7 on the old bridge. Glad that you said there’s no where to be seen anymore.

  • @viniciusmarchesin
    @viniciusmarchesin Před rokem +23

    Just a correction, the cups and balls goes as far back to 2000 years ago, not just the 1500s. With some variations of course, with other materials such as dice instead of balls, but the same game/scam nonetheless.

  • @AwpWilliams
    @AwpWilliams Před rokem +25

    In New Orleans, there were a couple of guys arguing with the shell game in front of a store. As I was heading inside, they acted like they needed me to settle the argument between them.
    I didn't care what it was about. They're in front of the store to mess with people.
    When I said no, they both looked disappointed.

    • @gordonlekfors2708
      @gordonlekfors2708 Před rokem

      they were both looking for handy jays, that's why they looked sad

  • @adamjvegan
    @adamjvegan Před rokem +34

    On the topic of Bosch's painting, it's believed that in the 15th century that owls were associated with death and menace, which is more fitting with the idea of being in the conjurer's basket.

    • @johnnynephrite6147
      @johnnynephrite6147 Před 3 měsíci

      Correct and this belief was also part of Native American beliefs. Watch the movie Killers of The Flower Moon.

  • @TheRealMrSkippy
    @TheRealMrSkippy Před rokem +18

    When I was in Budapest, I saw a gang playing this on the viewpoint over the River.
    I played the 'who is involved' game. I could spot several lookouts, a 'player' and a big guy.
    The game is called "balletje balletje" (little ball little ball) in Dutch, btw.

    • @seraphina985
      @seraphina985 Před rokem +5

      I am a former brit living in Amsterdam, I've seen this being tried about the city often near the red light district. That was what they called it when I asked them "Jij speelt wat", my Dutch still needs work so that might be poor grammar. But it is definitely a thing but then tourists are often high as f and drunk around there. Only so much you can do to help people that choose to make themselves so vulnerable in a target rich area.

    • @crabcake
      @crabcake Před 3 měsíci +1

      There are normally 6 of then involved. Trust me - I'm a magician

  • @MartinAhlman
    @MartinAhlman Před rokem +17

    How about the "Please, I will bless your mony. Just give me your wallet, you can hold it while I bless it for the virgin Mary!"-scheme? I gave her my wallet, it was empty, totally empty, and she got mad at me. It was hilarious! This was in Gdansk, just outside of the huge church of St Mary. I went to have a nice cup of "Captain's Tea" at a nearby restaurant after that. It was good and very affordable. Yes, I was giggeling the whole time.

    • @MM-jf1me
      @MM-jf1me Před rokem +2

      How funny! It's like how liars are always the most offended if someone else lies to them.

  • @DBR00
    @DBR00 Před rokem +6

    I know how the three card Monte game works. I've practiced it. I live in Las Vegas and a few months ago I saw some guys performing this on the streets. After watching for a while I told the guy that I know the game. I got behind the table and I fooled the dealer! It was just for fun but he didn't catch me doing the move that he specializes in. Unfortunately I saw another person played the game and lose over $600. I felt bad for the guy because I knew he was not going to win.

  • @jiroscop
    @jiroscop Před rokem +8

    yeah, that was very common in Bulgaria in the 90s. Im proud I never fell for it, but surprised it's still a thing

  • @timbridges8593
    @timbridges8593 Před rokem +15

    Hi, excellent video. My mom and I were in Paris and she decided she wanted to play the three card monte. One guy tried to distract me one guy played the game was another guy standing off to the side watching. I was smart and never took my eyes off my mother. It was fine until he started reaching into her wallet for money. That’s when I went over there I told the guy off and I took back their money. They were not happy but who cares. I am surprised at the amount of scammers in Europe. We don’t seem to have that much where I live in Canada. You’ve said this before to and that is everyone is out to get your money lol. Anyways have a good one eh!😁🇨🇦

  • @robertosswald5896
    @robertosswald5896 Před rokem +17

    In Serbia, the scammer is called "šibicar" because it was usually played with empty matchboxes (šibice). I haven't seen them in a while, but they were usually concentrated around green markets, flea markets, railway stations, with lots of traffic and/or naive people new to the town. My uncle lost his wristwatch and his weekly student's allowance to a matchbox guy on a train during his university days. He studied mathematics and thought he'd figure them out :)

  • @DaveTexas
    @DaveTexas Před rokem +9

    I’ve seen scammers trying to con people out of money with this "game" in just about every touristy location I’ve visited around the world. Paris, Berlin, London, Sydney, New York, San Francisco…everywhere. People obviously fall for it or else the scammers wouldn’t be doing it. Thank you for making a video about it; hopefully it’ll save someone from losing their money.

  • @bumbar7
    @bumbar7 Před rokem +44

    I'm from Skopje, Macedonia, and this game is "played" mostly where you filmed, that's between the Old Bazzar and the Skopje Main Square and on the Stone Bridge that links those two locations... all in all, we, the locals know that the guy with the cups and all of the others around him are in the same "deal" that's why they are loud for everyone to hear and they are so passively-inviting with that loudness, and this "game" is mostly to trick tourists because these locations are the most touristy

    • @MKD331BC
      @MKD331BC Před rokem

      Ziti se.. Milion pat imam pominato niz toj del i niednas gi nemam sretnato 🤣 Osven prosjaci pred, na i posle mostot drugo nisto nema...

    • @bumbar7
      @bumbar7 Před rokem

      @@MKD331BC Epa glej go videoto na deckovo, ke vidis on kade gi snimil kaj nas, istata lokacija koja mu ja pisav. Mozebi dva milioni pati ako projdes ke gi vidis :)

    • @ToxicTemplar
      @ToxicTemplar Před rokem +3

      Стално стојат на Мостот и доле пред Стоковна Куќа Мост , кај Црквата Свети Димитрија!

    • @cuorenerazzurro1661
      @cuorenerazzurro1661 Před rokem

      Because you have the biggest gypsy ghetto of Europe, what else did you expect from them.

    • @Albtraum_TDDC
      @Albtraum_TDDC Před 3 měsíci +1

      You're from North of North Macedonia actually.

  • @jazzbands5608
    @jazzbands5608 Před rokem +21

    just back from Prague. after watching so many of your videos. the trip was amazing. Thanks HG. keep up the great work

  • @bielgaucho_real
    @bielgaucho_real Před rokem +5

    "trick explained" in thumbnail. The only people that got scammed is the one who watches this until the end for the explanation.

    • @MarvinCZ
      @MarvinCZ Před rokem +1

      There were at least two ways shown, but the important part is that that's not even the key to the scam. The key is that you're surrounded by accomplices and even if you manage to win the game itself, you're still losing your money, one way or another.

  • @lemonkey6145
    @lemonkey6145 Před rokem +14

    In paris i actually saw an american tourist win. There was a crowd. The scammer had already taken the 50€ and when he realised he lost to the american. The scammers all bounced and changed location, while the tourist just stood there asking bystanders for her money. Kinda sad.

    • @amazincrackmonkey7176
      @amazincrackmonkey7176 Před rokem

      Yea most of the time you cant really win they either dont give it to you or rob you later.

    • @vanesslifeygo
      @vanesslifeygo Před rokem +2

      The tourist was stopped from chasing after the crook?

    • @petrsson
      @petrsson Před rokem

      That american was probably magician...😊

  • @georgiancrossroads
    @georgiancrossroads Před rokem +4

    Cups and Balls: Actually the oldest depiction of it is on a wall in ancient Egypt.

  • @BeyondOboe
    @BeyondOboe Před rokem +5

    As a child i remember seeing this scam (game) being played in Sofia, Bulgaria. Haven't seen it recently otherwise i would have filmed it.

  • @unmoris
    @unmoris Před rokem +27

    It’s dangerous advice telling people that they should alert others around that this is a scam. These scammers will not take kindly to having their money messed with and will get violent with you. Walk away and alert a cop, but never stand around telling other people it’s a scam - that’s a good way to get stabbed.

    • @arandombard1197
      @arandombard1197 Před rokem

      They're not going to stab you over it, don't be ridiculous. They're petty thieves that operate in a grey zone, why would they commit murder and open themselves up to serious charges?

    • @Ex0rz
      @Ex0rz Před rokem +8

      What do you think the scammers are gonna do in public with so many people around? Performing such scam is far less of an offense than performing assault or murder. Janek has done this multiple times and nothing that bad even happened to him.

    • @petrsson
      @petrsson Před rokem

      Yep,that host is pretty naive guy who believes in harmony of life without getting hurt...😅

  • @clovers-vintage-all-sorts

    Even The Simpsons made fun of this scam.

  • @nitrostudy9049
    @nitrostudy9049 Před rokem

    The beer coaster one works because the top card or bottom card can be the one released 1st onto the table from the doubled cards in the operator's hand.
    That is the function of the sharp forward movement releasing a card (fast enough to confuse the eye). The 1st couple of 'doubled card drops' confirms normal experience and expectations (that a card 'drops' from the bottom), as the X card is where you expected it.
    The operator could do any number of doubled card steps, choosing each time whether the top or bottom card is dropped first.

  • @vanesslifeygo
    @vanesslifeygo Před rokem +6

    I think my area has a hotline for reporting all sorts of things including specifically street games such as this. But it's a useless hotline because I use it to report more harmful things and they demand I go inside houses to get names and addresses. So basically they want me to do their job and they don't offer a salary.

    • @Albtraum_TDDC
      @Albtraum_TDDC Před 3 měsíci +1

      Cops are dirty, they get a cut from this. It's also why drugs were made illegal in the 1920s. More profit for authorities that way.

  • @ericwelsh4853
    @ericwelsh4853 Před 3 měsíci +1

    It's very simple.
    When he picks up two beer mats at the same time and throws one of them horizontally, sometimes he throws the top mat, sometimes he throws the bottom mat. It's impossible to see which one he threw.

  • @amazincrackmonkey7176
    @amazincrackmonkey7176 Před rokem +3

    Ive seen all of these played in Philadelphia mostly on the train, its easier to get away with it. Its crazy to see someone move the ball around while the train is shaking and moving too, its gotta be so much harder to pull off.

  • @SpaceRanger187
    @SpaceRanger187 Před rokem +12

    you have to teach the kids at a young age what its like to get scammed

  • @alightswitch777
    @alightswitch777 Před rokem +5

    One of the oldest scams in history. I don't think its gonna ever go away sadly.

    • @MarvinCZ
      @MarvinCZ Před rokem +2

      @@Philrc You're describing a scam. What you're saying is true for all scams, some are just more known than others. Also added to this one is the group around that can rough you up if you manage to win at the game itself.

    • @MarvinCZ
      @MarvinCZ Před rokem

      @@Philrc Yes, and it's a scam.

    • @MarvinCZ
      @MarvinCZ Před rokem

      @@Philrc Only if you stop defending scammers and blaming the victims ;)

  • @joao13soares
    @joao13soares Před rokem +4

    Not sure if the scammer at 10:54 is the same guy that I met at the top of the Citadella in Budapest in September but, at the time, I decided not to play because it felt too good to be true. Some "people" were losing money on easy guesses and it felt like I could easily guess them all. Now, with this video, I realize that those people were much probably his scam partners.

  • @kundrad8398
    @kundrad8398 Před rokem +6

    So basically, when playing cards, instead of picking the obvious one, pick one of the other ones for a 50/50 win. :D

    • @MarvinCZ
      @MarvinCZ Před rokem +4

      And then get roughed up around the corner.

    • @kundrad8398
      @kundrad8398 Před rokem +3

      @@MarvinCZ Noone will expect me jumping off a bridge, where my friend waits with his boat.

    • @MarvinCZ
      @MarvinCZ Před rokem +1

      @@kundrad8398 They certainly won't. Let's hope at least your friend expects it.

    • @drstihl2007
      @drstihl2007 Před rokem

      @@MarvinCZ Maybe we should go with a gang there waiting around the corner to intervene once they want to rough you up. Oh you want to beat me up 3v1 because i have won "your " money? Meet my american football team here.

    • @MarvinCZ
      @MarvinCZ Před rokem

      @@drstihl2007 Ah, yes, gang wars. Everybody wants that...
      But seriously, they do other stuff too, like just run off with your money, while the accomplices get in your way so you can't pursue, and other varieties. And in some of these you literally can't win, since the person is controlling the outcome as they are uncovering, so whatever you pick is guaranteed to lose.

  • @laurjeje
    @laurjeje Před rokem +13

    Waiting the whole video to see how the trick is done 🤡🤡🤡

    • @MarvinCZ
      @MarvinCZ Před rokem

      There are many possible techniques, there isn't just one explanation. But they did show a couple and indee, the result is always the same - you lose, one way or another.

    • @ramases1
      @ramases1 Před měsícem

      ​@@MarvinCZthere are Not many techniques... Just one; sleight of hand

  • @superMiki333
    @superMiki333 Před rokem +5

    In Naples, Italy, this scam has never stopped 😂

    • @pottpott7587
      @pottpott7587 Před rokem +2

      It’s even more crazy how many idiots exist who never heard of and start playing 😂

    • @superMiki333
      @superMiki333 Před rokem

      @@pottpott7587 I agree 100% with you hahahaha

  • @Sadlander2
    @Sadlander2 Před 3 měsíci

    I almost fell for it in Paris when I was 16. We were walking around a touristic place with my girlfriend and we saw a group of people, so we went there to see what was going on. A guy was talking very loudly, doing this card trick and saying something like "follow the ball, follow the ball, come on, it's easy, place your bet". Then I saw a guy approaching him and put a couple of bills in front of a cup. The other guy lifted that cup, revealing that the ball was indeed under that cup and the guy won 2x the amount he had placed on the table (well, a cardboard, really). When I saw that, I immediately thought "wow, that was easy! Should I try?". He shuffled the cups again, doing his loud speech again and before I could get close enough to try my luck, someone else put quite some money in front of a cup. The guy lifted the cup and...empty! He quickly took the money, packed everything and left. That's when I (and everyone else watching) understood that the first guy was in on it.

  • @nikitadiadia7961
    @nikitadiadia7961 Před rokem

    The most awful scamers in Prague is Public transport control members. We are Ukrainians who have enough money to live here and decided to stay in Prague. Our first day we used taxi to our hotel. Next day we went to see Prague and bought short ticket in machine for subway and meet public transport control. Al was ok, they checked our tickets. At tram stop we didn't find machine to buy ticket, but locals said that we can pay by card. Good. We entered tram via first door and tried to find how to pay. We spent for it maximum 30 seconds and staied near terminal to open Google Pay and choose a card. At the same time someone asked us to view our tickets. We tried to explain that our tram going about 50 meters and we didn't have enough time to buy ticket. But nothing helped, we lost 85 euros.

  • @inyobill
    @inyobill Před 3 měsíci +2

    06:00: Wow, I cannot see him do the switch. Those guys are so good. I would stand _no_ chance.

  • @TedvdParre
    @TedvdParre Před rokem +6

    In Paris on the other side of the Eiffel Tower in front of Le Kiosque des Fontaines we watched the game for over 2 hours. More than 15 people where involved. There where lookouts but also button pressers at pedestrian crossings. In 2 hours watching nobody played the game. Only there own people. Where do they life from?

    • @pi4795
      @pi4795 Před rokem +1

      I guess that if they find very naive people they can take a lot of money from them. But yeah, 15 people dedicated to that scam doesn't sound lucrative

  • @yhr4052
    @yhr4052 Před rokem +17

    There is a way to always win the game:
    Don't flip the "winning" cup they ask you to pick, flip the "losing" ones instead.
    Since the game is advertised as fair, the scammer would be exposed if the last cup is empty too.

    • @seraphina985
      @seraphina985 Před rokem +14

      That is not usually how it works though, often slight of hand is used to transfer the balls between cups. You even saw this in the video with the coins and caps, they are switching the coin. Never ever play this in the street however even if you are practiced enough to spot it in a live environment, they are not joking when they say the threat of physical violence is often applied if one is skilful enough to defeat the scam. This is not like a casino where outsmarting their advantage gets you a back off they can and will rob you if they have to in order to get even.

    • @brenster21
      @brenster21 Před rokem +7

      @@seraphina985 Nah the trick is to beat the scam with a gang of guys, to beat the shit out of the gang that is goign to beat you up for defeating their scam.

    • @muffemod
      @muffemod Před rokem

      @@brenster21 I regularly get a group of mates and fuck them up on the streets.

    • @Moamanly
      @Moamanly Před rokem

      @@seraphina985 *sleight of hand.

  • @Krushard
    @Krushard Před rokem +2

    A friend of mine once walked into gypsies with cups and balls and was trying to warn the people around that it's a scam. 10 min later he came back to us to confess that he somehow lost 50 EUR to them, I was laughing my ass off.

  • @Ulkerer
    @Ulkerer Před rokem +4

    It's funny when Jakub made the first game to win, but Janek just got confused and was not attentive enough and chose the wrong card. No scam!

  • @insu_na
    @insu_na Před rokem +33

    Statistically you *can* win even more than once: If you internally consider it as a Monty Hall problem you can internally choose the one you think is correct, but knowing that you're being scammed is like the host asking you if you want to change your pick (well not really, because in the real Monty Hall problem the one you'd pick does actually have a chance to win), so you change your pick to one of the other 2 and you get a 50:50 chance of winning (if it was a real monty hall problem it'd be a 66% chance, but it's not)
    That will work exactly once, until the scammer figures out you're deliberately picking the "wrong" choice and they'll either stop playing or have their friends rough you up.
    In conclusion: Don't walk into this scam, even if you have a statistically better chance than someone who doesn't know it's a scam. You will still ultimately lose. If not your money at least your health.

    • @offtopic9632
      @offtopic9632 Před rokem +8

      You say you could consider it a Monty Hall problem only to explain a few sentences later that it is in fact not...

    • @trevorlambert4226
      @trevorlambert4226 Před rokem +2

      It's not a Monty Hall problem, but yeah, you can increase your odds from 0% to 50%, assuming they're using cards. If it's cups or shells, then you can't win no matter what. But is it really a win if after you get your money you get beaten up and they take it back (plus probably everything else you had in your wallet)?

    • @ducktsu7767
      @ducktsu7767 Před rokem +2

      unless it’s like the coin trick where im half sure all the caps have coins and he just lifts the one you don’t chose

    • @dquzmanovic
      @dquzmanovic Před rokem +4

      It's not a Monty Hall problem.
      It's slide of hand. Usually the are all empty.
      Sometimes what you can do is put your foot on the one you think it's correct and kick the other two (since they are empty). But you have to have backup people around you.

    • @Romans8-9
      @Romans8-9 Před 10 měsíci +1

      In the Monty Hall problem, one of the unpicked options is removed, then you are given the chance to swap. Nothing like that happens in this game.

  • @VancouverMagic
    @VancouverMagic Před 4 měsíci +1

    Lol, the one with the coin & the beer caps, ALL of the caps had a coin under them (3 coins & 3 caps)

  • @kingofbollywood7386
    @kingofbollywood7386 Před rokem +7

    This is basic math. Honest Guide + Honest Scammer = Great Video!

  • @NapkinEdStern
    @NapkinEdStern Před 3 měsíci +1

    I won $20 on this scam once. I knew all about how this scam works. The scammer wasn't too sharp. The card with the X on it had a slight blemish (dirt) on it. I bet on it and knew exactly where it was because of this. He had to pay up because there were a lot of people around here in NY. I quickly took the $20 and got in a cab.

  • @Cassapphic
    @Cassapphic Před rokem +3

    The only good version of the "cup game" as my friends call it is when video games play it enitrely straight, like mario party minigames or boss mechanics in ffxiv such as queen's guard and shadowkeeper that basically do the cup game where the boss summons clones, marks one or two as real, then has them spin around the arena and you have to watch where the real ones went to know what attack will happen.

  • @waturitz
    @waturitz Před rokem +5

    if you wanted an explanation how the trick works, here's one way how they do it: the second you pull out your purse and look down to your pocket, they swap the cup with the ball and one next to it.
    At least I've seen them do that several times now, but maybe the person loosing is just another involved scammer and they wanna make you think you know how they trick you... at least in this video, they had to have another trick as you always saw the cups/cards...

    • @Albtraum_TDDC
      @Albtraum_TDDC Před 3 měsíci +1

      Yeah, that's just part of the "theater", to make you think it's easy to win if you pay attention. It's not how they do it. Sleight of hand is how.

  • @Ovarian_invasion
    @Ovarian_invasion Před 4 měsíci

    too good bro thanks so much keep up the great work

  • @billmiller6274
    @billmiller6274 Před 3 měsíci +1

    Seems like you could increase the odds of winning the game as played to 50% by never selecting the one it appears to be. Another way is to win the first time and leave, bringing your own thugs or the police to take care of the bystanders.

  • @Teffers
    @Teffers Před rokem +1

    Great video, as usual - but how long ago was this filmed ? It’s December, and everyone is n t-shirts!

  • @rziguiaymen7519
    @rziguiaymen7519 Před rokem +2

    The best thing about being a muslim is that we're not allowed to play these games or any game in which you have to bet on your money to win something in return, you need to earn your money by yourself.

  • @amazincrackmonkey7176
    @amazincrackmonkey7176 Před rokem +2

    If anyone wants to see how the cups and balls are done look up penn and teller clear cups and balls.

  • @jerrysmith2360
    @jerrysmith2360 Před 4 měsíci

    This scam is almost as old as time yet people still fall for it. There’s one born every minute

  • @CrossRoadsOfTime
    @CrossRoadsOfTime Před rokem +7

    if you watch the game at 5:43 you'd notice the cap that supposedly has the coin has a distinctive scratch on it that the other two do not. so he actually did pick the correct cap. being as the caps are never turned over my guess is he has some way to pick up the caps that will hold on to the coin that is under all of them. so the scammer has complete control over where he makes the coin appear to be at all times, so if they want you to win while your making small bets to get you to bet bigger. they can, if they want you to lose to take your money they can regardless of if you pick the correct cap.

    • @systemchris
      @systemchris Před rokem +5

      My guess is all the caps have a coin but it's a way of holding onto the coin inside

    • @Albtraum_TDDC
      @Albtraum_TDDC Před 3 měsíci +1

      @@systemchris , yes 2 caps have a coin, sticky top, he presses on the cap to make the coin stick and shows the other coin instead.
      The distinctive scratch is a trick to make people more confident and want to play for easy win.
      I've seen it done with cards where a guy (pretending to be helping you) bends one tiny part of the edge of the card and you still lose of course. I had a friend lose his weekly paycheck because he wouldn't listen to me that it's a scam.

  • @ayokay123
    @ayokay123 Před 3 měsíci

    And not to forget, they ALWAYS work in teams that you might not be able to notice. One is always looking out for the cops, and a few are always big, intimidating guys that won't let you walk away with their money. The only way to win is to walk past the game and quietly alert a cop.

  • @YunScarlet
    @YunScarlet Před rokem +2

    3:09 that's how it work. they usualy make the game easy enough to make you think you can easily win

  • @billyholly
    @billyholly Před 3 měsíci

    Even if the operator messes up and accidentally "flashes" the right choice, one of his gang can outbid you for the bet and you still won't win as you won't be allowed to "play" that round.

  • @bob456fk6
    @bob456fk6 Před 3 měsíci

    I was a western movie where the hero was playing.
    He said: "I'll turn over the two shells where the pea is NOT."
    He did so and he won.
    The scammer didn't want to tangle with a well known tough guy.

  • @VeryScaryLarry2024
    @VeryScaryLarry2024 Před rokem +3

    Here in Romania it is very popular too, named "alba-neagra" or literally black and white

  • @vapeurdepisse
    @vapeurdepisse Před 2 měsíci

    What cracks me up, at least in Paris, is you can totally spot the other scammers pretending to be players because they look so obviously roma. They literally look the exact same as the main scammer

  • @IlTrojo
    @IlTrojo Před rokem +1

    I remember some 13-ish years ago happening to find this played in the Milano Centrale tube, just a few meters out of the turnstiles.

  • @juandenz2008
    @juandenz2008 Před rokem +12

    Good video ! You might think that nobody would fall for such an old scam, but you'd be wrong. I saw some tourists getting fleeced in Paris. Greed is a powerful motivator, and if people think it's an easy chance to make money they will play on the spur of the moment and not stop to think. Once sucked in they will often keep playing in a desperate attempt to win their money back. (Of course I warned the tourists not to play).

  • @dystopiandream7134
    @dystopiandream7134 Před 3 měsíci +1

    This is one of those youtube channels made just as a tax shelter.

  • @DaughterIssues
    @DaughterIssues Před rokem +1

    I feel scammed watching this video: I never got to see "how it works."

  • @ironlionzion1380
    @ironlionzion1380 Před rokem +1

    I just wasted ten minutes watching this video in anticipation of an explanation to this scam, which never came.

  • @xcoder1122
    @xcoder1122 Před 3 měsíci

    3:09 This is where the trick happens. He has two beer coasters in his hand, the one with the X is at the bottom. He slams a coaster down to the ground and since the one with the X was bottom, your brain assumes that then one with the X was slammed down. But what really happened is he had a tight grip on the bottom coaster and the other one was just resting on top of it, so by making the slam movement, the top coaster actually fell to the ground. He then quickly put the one with the X in his hand on top of the third coaster to cover it from below, lifting both up again and turning them around but now the one with the X is on top and the third one covers it below. He then slams again and does the same trick a second time, so again the top coaster is slammed, not the bottom one, which this time is the X coaster, so even if you got the swap the first time, you may miss it the second one and still would have been wrong. The whole trick is, that every time he make such a double lift followed by a slam, he can decide which coaster to slam, the top one or the bottom one, by just slightly adjusting his grip, so as long as he thinks you are still following the correct coaster, he will keep going and do a few more of those double lifts until is is convinced that you've lost track.

  • @TheApp9
    @TheApp9 Před rokem +1

    The card trick is fair, it’s a 50% chance to win. So same conditions for both. Just focus on the card, he pretends to be the one with the X. But one or two times he throws the upper card on the ground, the tourist thinks, it’s the card on the bottom. So if you follow the one, he wants you to be pretending the one with X, choose one of the two others. So it’s a 50:50 chance.

  • @theofficialplanetvenus
    @theofficialplanetvenus Před rokem +11

    Sorry, maybe I'm just stupid, but I still haven't understood how this trick works after this video. Like what is the scammer doing to deceive you? The only explanation I have seen, is at 7:53 and it's too much for my brain 🧠 🙃.

    • @johnsmith99997
      @johnsmith99997 Před rokem

      for the cards, the tourist showed it, for the bottle caps there is something sticky on the underside and there is a cap with a coin already in it. And for the cups, either slight of hand or they just squeeze the cup

    • @Naliamegod
      @Naliamegod Před rokem +1

      For cards, they are pretending to throw down the bottom card but are in actuality putting down the top card. There is a Vanity Fair video by a Casino cheating expert that shows how a lot of card tricks and scams work.

    • @MarvinCZ
      @MarvinCZ Před rokem

      And for contingency, there's a dozen confederates all around you that will make sure that you lose your money, one way or another.

  • @36ydna
    @36ydna Před rokem

    Thanks for the information, I live in Budapest and will be letting people know.

  • @edwardprice140
    @edwardprice140 Před 3 měsíci +2

    The biggest scam is that this video never shows you how it is done! Fake !
    Don't like, don't share, don't subscribe !

  • @AMERICANPATRIOT1945
    @AMERICANPATRIOT1945 Před 3 měsíci

    Always allow a stranger to play this game with that stranger's own property or money, never your own. In fact, if a stranger attempts to engage you in random activity or conversation, think carefully about the saying "don't talk to strangers," especially if something seems a bit untrustworthy, or the conversation is not initiated by you. Run, don't walk.

  • @TheThursty100
    @TheThursty100 Před rokem +2

    Just become good at slight of hand to slight a ball under a cup when you lift it. Win everytime or you bring your own ball

    • @MarvinCZ
      @MarvinCZ Před rokem +2

      And then get surrounded by half a dozen thugs and beat up.

    • @juandenz2008
      @juandenz2008 Před rokem

      It won't work because they won't let you touch the game.

  • @juggerfox
    @juggerfox Před 3 měsíci

    I think I just figured out the trick. When you point to where the coin is, the scammer reveals another shell but doesn't ever reveal the one you pointed to. So you're actually right, it's just that there are two shells with a coin. So revealing the other one makes you think that you're wrong! How innocent we are!

    • @juggerfox
      @juggerfox Před 3 měsíci

      And to add to my own comment. When the scammer lifts the shell you pointed, which also hides the coin, notice how he grasps the shell to also pick up the coin. So subtle!

  • @thomasdestransports9654
    @thomasdestransports9654 Před rokem +4

    Hello, thanks for your great videos !
    I'll soon come to Prague, but I don't understand the different ways to use the public transport with basic paper tickets, phone tickets or Litacka card. Thank you !

    • @Dantist87
      @Dantist87 Před rokem +1

      Don't bother and just buy the paper tickets from the machines. They are commonly available and accept cards.

  • @edthacow
    @edthacow Před měsícem

    Not an old game if only 600 years old. Not a scam, no cheating involved.

  • @killervacuum
    @killervacuum Před rokem +1

    i caught the slight of hand and guessed the right beer coaster :)

  • @kingdoener
    @kingdoener Před rokem +1

    0:50 Vladimir putin chillin in that nun costume lol

  • @robertov1781
    @robertov1781 Před rokem +1

    With the cards I'd very easy to guess. The card with the x is never the one you are following. So you at least have 50% chances. But is true that you will never get home with money of a thief.

  • @sdee118
    @sdee118 Před rokem

    I saw it in Vienna and told one of the scammers which I thought was a bystander and said they were scammers, weren’t too happy with me

  • @johnadams9314
    @johnadams9314 Před 3 měsíci

    I think it's important to note that in versions where it would be possible to bet on the correct one (e.g. you know the trick and are able to follow the correct card) there are also tactics to stop you being able to place your bet on the correct card. It could be that another one of the team pretending to be a player will place a larger bet on another card, and the operator will say they have to take the larger bet.

  • @isbestlizard
    @isbestlizard Před 3 měsíci

    Find an identical ball, and slight-of-hand it under the cup you pick. Dude running the scam can hardly say 'NO you cheated the real ball is in my pocket!' :D

  • @salsatheone
    @salsatheone Před 3 měsíci

    Btw he does the scam drop twice. He holds the X card and drops the other one, then he does it again and if you keep your eye on it, you will find the correct card. So there' even a safeguard against the quicker eye.

  • @atj8697
    @atj8697 Před rokem +2

    These guys are awesome

  • @lucienguideconferenciermor482

    I see usually the same team in paris near the eiffel tower or the pont des arts. Always the same guys and very very organized. It makes me furious to see people falling in that trick all the time

  • @albertoplm
    @albertoplm Před 9 měsíci

    Nice the final with some hints of Czech: beautiful idea.

  • @johnnykeys1978
    @johnnykeys1978 Před 3 měsíci

    TLDR it doesn't matter that you saw / figured out / predicted the scam - there will be enough people surrounding you who will fall for it, then lobby lobby lobby to force you to pay for their gambling losses.

  • @johnburgess2084
    @johnburgess2084 Před 3 měsíci

    At 5:45, sleight of hand or not, the coin ended up under a different bottle cap. There is a clear blemish on the top of the cap that initially covers the coin. That same cap ends up in the middle, but the coin is revealed under the left, DIFFERENT cap.

    • @Hyxtryx
      @Hyxtryx Před 3 měsíci

      Yes. I think they may be that way on purpose, to make someone think the game will be very easy. You're talking about the 2nd time he did the trick. The first time, the coin ended up under the blemished cap, and that cap only moved once. From the center to the left. There must be either 2 coins, or a slit in the bag that he can drop off and pick up the coin from (but I think that would be too obvious, especially in bright sunlight).

  • @ArthArmani
    @ArthArmani Před rokem +1

    i get how he did the card scam, but the 50 cent one looks impossible, unless there is some kind of cuts on that black cloth, and he pushes 50cent in and with the other cap pushes it out, or he has more 50 cents under it, with one cap slide 50cent under (hide it) and with the other cap, out from hidden.

    • @MaximTsyba
      @MaximTsyba Před rokem

      So many thinking, and yet you haven't noticed the obvious: he never releases the cup chosen by the host, only the "correct one" - which means they all might have a coin

  • @Mariazellerbahn
    @Mariazellerbahn Před 4 měsíci

    Every cup has a ball underneath.
    They only show you the ball under one you didn't choose ... they don't show you underneath the cup you chose because that also has a ball underneath.

  • @apoc9ify
    @apoc9ify Před rokem +2

    When he stacks two coasters he throws the top one down instead the bottom one, which is counter intuitive and at normal speed its indistinguishable, but if you slow down the video you can see how.

  • @rossren9691
    @rossren9691 Před rokem +1

    I was in Venice at Christmas and seen this game get set up and get going, I told my girlfriend to look at the 2 people standing around with one of them playing because they are in on it, anyway a local man walked across the bridge where the game was set up, now a good few people are standing around with a few now playing, the local starts going crazy at the man doing the scam and him and the two other people started going crazy....a fight almost broke out.

  • @GraemeGunn
    @GraemeGunn Před rokem

    The REAL scam is me not being able to understand why ANYone would even engage with someone running these cup and ball games lol.

  • @SloppyPuppy
    @SloppyPuppy Před rokem

    0:15 sounds like two signal notification sounds in a row, that tripped me out

  • @lucianoferreira8903
    @lucianoferreira8903 Před rokem +7

    Saw this in Italy last August.. many people take part in the scam, pretending they are earning a lot of money. Also, the black guys from Africa trying to sell you wristbands... Hundreds of them. They should be arrested.

    • @scienceevolves4417
      @scienceevolves4417 Před rokem

      I thought it's a gift?

    • @lucianoferreira8903
      @lucianoferreira8903 Před rokem +1

      @@scienceevolves4417 They say it is and then force you to pay for It.

    • @scienceevolves4417
      @scienceevolves4417 Před rokem

      @@lucianoferreira8903 they can't force me with anything lol
      I would just walk away and if they want, they can call the police

    • @lucianoferreira8903
      @lucianoferreira8903 Před rokem +1

      @@scienceevolves4417 thats what I always do. They scam old people and stuff. I told them to fuck off all the time.

    • @MRLBRMNN
      @MRLBRMNN Před rokem

      Yeah and they call you racist if you don't give them money, they learned dumb western Europeans rather lose money than get called racist

  • @L1amw90
    @L1amw90 Před 5 měsíci

    The three card scam is easy if you know how. He shows you the card with the X on, then you instantly think it's say, in the middle, but it's not. If you watch closely, the X will NEVER be where you think it is. That's because he always throws the TOP card down, no matter how many times you think it's the X. It's that simple

  • @YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen

    Good video. Keep up the good work.
    FYI, "portrait" is a noun.
    The verb is "portray."

  • @AA-rc1ny
    @AA-rc1ny Před rokem +1

    This is so popular in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Common around sporting arenas

  • @supa0ne
    @supa0ne Před 11 měsíci

    When you see a guy playing cups and balls play exactly one game. They will let you win, thinking you will bet more. Then just walk away with your "winnings". Pisses them off beyond compare.