22 replies to this topic

[husker]

I've done tons of carnival games in my life, but here are the ones that I think are the biggest ripoffs:

1. The basketball game. Those rims are so screwed up, Michael Jordan couldn't even make it.

2. I don't know what it was called, but you have to cover this big circle with 5 round discs. None of the circle can be showing in order to win. 1 chance for $3, 2 chances for $5. If you did it successfully twice, you won an Xbox 360! I thought that sounded promising, so I gave it a try. Of course, the person working the booth kept doing it perfectly. It looks so easy, but it was hard. Once you put the discs down, you couldn't move them. After a few unsuccessful tries, the guy gives me a hint about where the first one should be placed. So, I try it two more times and fail again. So, if you ever see a game like this, don't try it.

Does anyone else have any rip-off games I should be aware of?

[hedzup]

Although I've never tried it... the "bounce the ball of the backboard into the bucket" always looks easy, but I hear from everyone it's wicked hard... I've only played the ring toss game... easy and cheap, usually. I don't get easily trapped by them.

[Avalon]

Most carnival games are a rip-off, otherwise they wouldn't make any money. The only one I ever do any good with, (and normally the only one I'll play) is the good old shooting gallery. I know most of those air rifles are screwed and the sights don't actually point to where the pellet is going. But if you carefully watch where the pellet goes on the first shot you can compensate for the error.

I am usually fairly successful and normally only get caught out when they give you faulty pellets. I have found though that if you complain enough, they will give you decent pellets. I guess they don't want everyone else hearing how they cheat you out of your money. The only problem with the shooting galleries, the prizes are often worth less than what it costs you to play. (stupid stuffed toys) It does tend to impress the girls though when you can shoot all the ducks down.

As for the other games like the 'coin-toss', 'ring-over-the-bottle' and ones like them, I find them too hard so I give them a miss.

[Togi]

They're probably all rip-offs, I don't play them XD ..they're expensive, and the prizes are lame.. lead me to the funnel cakes

[TripleH13]

i hate all those games epscially the two you listed. The one with the basketball really high in the air. You see the guy take the shot he gets it in and it looks so easy and then you try and you miss terably. Then the rink toss they offer such great prizes and noone ever wins. I have never seen anyone win that game ever.

[matto]

The one when you hit the thing with the hammer, then the lights go up and ring the bell. The person running it RIGS it, and I'm not even joking. A small 7th grade girl was able to hit the bell when this huge 40 year old couldn't get it half way up.

[Mich]

All carnival games are rigged in one way or another. That is how carnies make all their money. If you do happen to win a prize, you have probably paid for it 10 times over. Or you were lucky enough to get a pingpong ball in the little fish bowl. Now you have a goldfish to pack around with you all the rest of your carnival visit. As well as, probably buying a new fish bowl to house it. You are right matto about the hammer gong thingy. I have witnessed the same thing. I don't do carnival games unless it is guessing my weight. I look don't look as heavy as I am and that usually gets them. However, I am with Togi, where are the funnel cakes?

[roundball]

Carnival games are just a simple way for the gypsys to make some money.
They are all rigged in my cynical opinion.

[TripleH13]

sometimes i will just try them out just to have fun for a few minutes. I no that i will never win anything. But the one that i will always win is the guess your age or weight. That is one game that they could never rig. The prizes arent as great but at least you win something better that a small ball. Another thing is that it doesn't even cost that much.

[husker]

Hedzup, that game is hard, but believe or not, I have actually won at that one before. They are fun, but they suck up money fast. I never do the bell ringing one, I'm too embarressed. I went to a park with my friends, and that did that toss the ring in the bottle game. They got the big bucket of rings for like $8, just to get a free hat with it. THen they just threw out the rings carelessly. I think I could win at that game. The squirt-gun game is pretty easy too. But for me, the ball rolling game where you try to get in the "fastiest" hole or whatever it's called is hard. I can get close to first, but I can't win!

[iGuest]

Carnival Fraud
Carnival Games-the Biggest Ripoff

FYI - there is a training manual used in training the cops about rigged games, and it's also available to the public at oklahomapi.Com
.
The Carny's hate that manual, since it exposes their ways of rigging the game to assure the players win nothing - very interesting reading and pictures too.

[iGuest]

Go to Youtube.Com

There is a video how this is done.

This is where you have to cover one large circle with 5 smaller ones.

[iGuest]

Get two balls in the basket, all you have to do is toss a softball into a tilted plastic bucket when the operater gives you a go, 100% you will get it in on the free try it shot, why? becuase if you pay attention he/she will throw in a second ball stoping the momentum of your ball cold and always making sure it stays in, however when you play consider the opdds against you,



1: its tilted at about a 45 degree angle give or take making boucne outs happen almost 99% of the time.



2: the distance from which you throw is usually a good 3-4 feet so your forced into a harder throw.



3: and most important the bottom of the bucket has been modified so that a small circular bump sticks out about 2inches ensuring failure.



Here's how to beat it though and laugh as you walk away with a sweet prize for few bucks. Don't throw it normaly instead use an underhand throw, and arc it as high as your able, and give it an overspin(hard to do when throwing underhand) but trust me thiss causes the ball to spin foward and most of the time it stays, now if you can master that and get 2 balls, some carnies(the ones with aboslutly no integrity) will try to find any rule you might have broken, worst comes to worst tell him you are now calling the police, should change his tune.



-reply by MonTag

[arnz]

Even if you do win a carny type game, its more likely you wouldve paid a fair amount for a numerous amount of attempts to get the ball into a particular slot, through the hoop, the ring on the bottle or any form of game that requires co-ordination. I dont know if its rigged or not (fence sitting this), but obviously the operators would've at least made it as hard as possible. Obviously to make money and not be a free-"item" giver for a easy game.

[sheepdog]

LOL, of course their rigged. Carnies have to make a living too. Seriously, why should anyone be worried about Carnies ripping them off when you have all these casino's and lotteries and other gambling events that you have about the same snowball's chance in hell of winning? Not a bit of difference. Except with state run lotteries, the money from them goes to fat, lazy politicians, at least the Carnies' earnings go to keep him in food and a travel trailer over his head and gas money to the next stop. At least the Carnie is out there earning it. Not taxing the citizens out of it.

[jopak134]

yes, but some are legit. and you can report it to your local authorities if your really angry

[FLaKes]

I always knew they were rigged. Though sometimes they are fun to play though, one particular game I like is the one where they give you a gun with pellets and you knock figures down and they activate some other dancing dolls and stuff. You dont win anything in that game, its just fun to shoot those figures. I dont really like those other games you all mentioned...

[arnz]

Carnie games seem to be pretty rigged, but have to agree Pokies and other games found in the Casino are much much worse when it comes to winning:losing odds. Casino games can be fun every now and again, but have to say it doesnt interest me to get addicted to it, considering the everyday expenses and like are on my mind the most.

[iGuest]

Carnie game rip offCarnival Games-the Biggest RipoffA friend of mine was doing the cross bow thing at a rennie fair. The cross bow was offBut it was predictable, so with the help of a 'spotter', he (we) were able to get himOn target to win a fairly nice sized stuffed animal.Another carnival... I popped the 'prize' balloon in the dart game... The entire group ofUs witnessed the top prize as the 'carnie' came by and actually switched the tag forA cheaper one which she carried in her hand, as she passed in front of the popped balloon.This was the annual carnival which travels the circuit in Bethesda, Laurel, Glen Burnie and Burtonsville MD.For me, the carnivals are a 'rip off'... Might play one or two games, (maybe) but I'mThere (occasionally) for the rides and food. Hey, but as P.T. Barnum once said "There'sA sucker born every minute"... And he's right...Wouldn't it be cool if the warped mirrors had "Sucker" written on the bottom so peopleWould get the idea that Barnum was talking specifically about THEM !! Guess not, it would be hitting too close to home.On the other hand, if you're having a good time, who cares if you give away hundredsAt a carnival or thousands of dollars at a casino... The good time is worth it !!-reply by Mike

 

[iGuest]

Cork shooting Gun GameCarnival Games-the Biggest Ripoff

In this game, you try to knock down plastic cups with a gun that shoots corks... I was playing one day, and when I hit the cup, it got stuck behind another cup. The carny reached down (where you could not see) where the cup should have landed, and pulled out another cup! (mine was still partially visible) The cup they picked up said small... The one I really shot was a large!

-reply by Jake Soleil