Carnival Cons

Scams & Cons

Even at a distance, you’ll know the carnival is in town. You can see the lights of the Ferris Wheel. Maybe you can hear the screams of people on one of the rides to scare the hell out of you. When you arrive, you’ll smell fresh popcorn … the carnies smell a sucker.

Except for the prices, the rides are straight. No con there. No short pours on the drinks because you can see how high the liquid is, although the cup may be smaller than those you are accustomed to or the bottom is inset a little too far to shave an ounce or two off the pour.

But if you head over to the game row, ready to knock some milk bottles down, shoot holes in a target or sink a basketball, they will soon know how much money you had in your pockets, because they will be counting it.

The claw machines hide the most insidious con. They are preprogrammed to generate whatever profit the game owner wants. If you win something, it’s only because the machine wants you to.

In this episode, we’ll tell you all about these cons and although you know the games are rigged, you may be surprised to learn how it’s done.

Just be sure to stash some cash in your socks before you leave home – you’ll need it to get home after the carnies empty your pockets.

Claw machine operations manual - PDF

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