So you finally made it to Paris and naturally, you are in vacation mood. The sun is shining, the food is good, the win flows freely. Regretfully, this makes it very easy for hustlers to take advantage of you. One of the common tourist scams is the cups and ball “trick”. I will teach you how to beat that so-called shell game.
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Table of contents
Intro to the shell game in Paris
Are you planning a trip to Paris? Or another big city? Likewise, hustlers are preparing how to release you from your money. Find out how to beat them in their shell game!
What Scam?
Before the pandemic, we were on vacation in Paris and in a happy vacation mood. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and we were walking to the Eiffel tower. On our way, we noticed a group of people around a hustler hiding a ball under three cups. The guy then challenged the public to guess which cup had the ball.
To me, it clearly was easy to play and win. Tom told me that he had tried betting on this in New York City once, and lost $10. I laughed at him and his follies and continued to watch the game. So easy! Why didn’t these people get it right?!
I admired the skill of the hustler. He would draw people in, and quickly change cups when they weren’t watching, subsequently pocketing their money. There were a lot of people watching and inevitably some were drawn in.
As was I. He singled me out and was like “You there! Where is the ball?” “I will double your money!” Dollar signs were flashing in front of my eyes. Eagerly and confidently stepping up to him I said “I would love to play but I only have 30 Euros.” “Hey, no problem, ma’am, what about your husband?” Tom showed a 20 dollar bill which was happily accepted by our friend the hustler. The scene was set.
This particular scam is commonly known as the shell game, and has been derived from the cups (or shells or walnuts) and balls magic trick. The hustler has a piece of carpeting or cardboard and three upside down cups (or other containers) and one ball.
Spewing a seemingly endless stream of commentary and offering to double your money if you can point to cup hiding the ball. When you first start watching it, it is obvious how to beat this shell game.
But beware!
You Can NOT Beat the Shell Game!
The scammer is good at what he does, pulling in people. You will see some people lose, but that is only because they stupidly chose the wrong cup. As a bystander, your friendly neighborhood hustler will convince you that you could do so much better than those “losers”. Spectators always see more than the players do.
After I lost 50 Euros to that Paris hustler (hurting my self esteem even more than my and Tom’s wallet!) I did what any self respecting person would do. I asked my friend Google about the shell game experience. Google quickly reassured me that it is almost impossible to win the shell game.
The con artist will portray the game as a gamble, a game of skill, a straightforward win, but in reality it is a confidence trick, used to make good money. So the quick and easy answer on how to avoid this scam is “Don’t play!” It is not possible to beat the shell game. That is why it is so popular with the average trickster, they make a lot of money.
They Cannot Trick Me! I See Exactly What is Happening!
Overconfidence for the win! Seeing the “winners” walk away with one hundred Euros assured me that of course I could do that. My degree in Computer Science proves that I am smart! I know everything!
That is why the shell game is a so-called confidence trick. Human nature makes us consider ourselves better than average. The combination of our greed (Money, money, money!) and our vanity does make us obvious targets for the crook. Here are a few of the strategies they might be employing to gain your trust.
Tourist Scam Strategies Used in the Shell Game
- Having “shills” or helpers to pretend to be playing and winning. When you see “random” people winning, this will boost your confidence that you could do it too.
- Letting some players win, randomly, so that you know it is possible. Seeing the shark hand over money to “winners” makes you start dreaming. “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one”. They play upon the optimistic nature of their spectators.
- Using sleight of hand (I told you they are talented) to disappear the ball from all three containers, so whichever you choose won’t have the ball. Yet another way they make it impossible to beat that easy-looking shell game.
The Long History of the Shell Game
Unsurprisingly, this game has been around for a long time. It seems that in any given period of time, there were people willing to bet on an simple win. Or at least on what they expected to be an obvious win. As well as people who were good at convincing other people to part with their money in exchange for, well, nothing.
Gaming from Ancient History till Modern Days
According to the Encyclopaedia Brittanica, both the Greeks and the Romans played this game. In Great Britain, the game is called thimblerig and was played with three thimbles and a pea or button. It first showed up in the early 1800s, from thimble + rig (obsolete for a trick, scheme).
The game is illegal almost everywhere, but it also is a simple enough game to pack up and disappear. Usually a group of people is involved and some of the members will be posted as look-out to warn everyone when the police shows up.
How to Beat the Shell Game
This game is a popular tourist scam not only in Paris, but also in New York City, Barcelona, Amsterdam, London and even Las Vegas. So how do you beat the shell game?
The ONE way to Beat this Tourist Scam
Do NOT fall for the shell game, do NOT try to beat it, and do NOT show your money. I repeat, do not play! Even when you think you can win easily. Especially not when you think you can win. Remember, it is a confidence trick. And the trickster is better at it that you are.
The internet is full of stories by people, self-declared smart people, taken by this tourist scam. Do not become one of them. Instead spend your money on a good dinner at the Bistrotters. Or hang out at Hemingway’s favorite haunt: La Closerie des Lilas.
Did you Fall for It?
Have you fallen for the shell game or other tourist scams in Paris or other tourist destinations? Share your story in the comments so we can all learn from it. And next time you see this shell game scam, stay far away and use your money for something that doesn’t make you feel bad!
Paris Fun Things To Do instead of Losing Money
- Paris on a Budget;
- Explore Paris;
- Visit Monet for Free;
- Important tourist scam warning: How To Beat the Shell Game !
- Hang out with the Lost Generation at La Closerie des Lilas;
- Explore the Montparnasse neighborhood in Paris;
- Find out about affordable Michelin restaurants in Paris: Bib Gourmand;
- Find out geeky Van Gogh facts and then seek out some of his paintings in Paris;
- Stay in Paris for free using your Hilton Honors points;
- Or use a free Hilton weekend certificate.
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