Why in the world do people play street games ( 3 card Monte & Shell game)

Lots of people think they’re smarter.

I think a weird part of it, is ‘the NYC experience’. Gambling is foolish, but when in Vegas, why not toss a quarter into the slot, you never know. While Vegas is an established casino, still none the less crooked as hell of a business model. I think people like telling stories when they get back home. If you don’t go home from vacation with fun stories to share, what was the point of the vacation?

If i would run in to these guys playing a game they play, i think i would try my luck too.
Not because i’m stupid, but because what i understood from watching them being exposed in tv-programs, they let ‘dumb’ tourists win a couple of rounds to give them the idea they’ll keep on winning.
So i would join them 2 rounds and then thanked them very kindly and visit the Empire State building.

I was on a bus going to a job interview in grad school when a guy sat facing me and ran a 3 cup game. I saw a couple people win and a bunch lose, but I was following the guy shrewdly and knew the outcome every time. My grandfather even taught me how to run a 3 cup game as a kid. So I played.

I pointed to the winner, but I forgot the “you have to show your money to play” rule, so when I glanced at my wallet to get my 20 he switched cups. I was totally had.

The game then shut down, they guy got off the bus, as well as a few of the people who were sitting around me. I realized I had been the mark the entire time.

There’s gullible people everywhere. If 1% of people actually stops to play their game, the hustler is making a profit and therefore they will be in business so long as that 1% stops.