The School for Scoundrels has just made a deal with Dani DaOrtiz to have my book on Three Card Monte published in Spanish. “The School for Scoundrels Notes on Three-Card Monte” is the most thorough book on this scam, including its history, psychology, moves and ruses and application to magic.
I am very excited!
Reviews of the book here:
Bob Sheets at School for Scoundrels
Despite the recent Halloween fire, the Magic Castle is planning to be open by this weekend, and our School for Scoundrels class will begin on Sunday night, November 6th, as planned.
There is still room for you to join this exciting class, but you must register by Friday.
It is open to both members and non-members of the Magic Castle, and no prior experience, skills or knowledge is required.
This course teaches the basic sleight of hand, psychology, history and importance to magic of the three basic street swindles: Three-Card Monte, the Shell Game, and the various games of Fast and Loose.
We believe that the street hustler makes a better role-model for the modern close-up magician than the card cheat which has been the model since the turn of the century.
We believe that street hustlers have much to teach that is of huge benefit to magicians, especially those who work corporate walk around, trade-shows, or private parties where they need to gather a crowd, hold their attention, control their thinking, and get them to do what they want them to do.
School for Scoundrels at the Magic Castle in Hollywood will begin on Sunday, November 6, and continue on Nov 13, 20, 27, and also on Mondays, November 7, 14, 21, 28. School for Scoundrels is a course taught at the Magic Castle every November since 1996.
Pop Haydn and Chef Anton (two-time national trick-shot champion at pool), teach the class together, with guests such as Bob Sheets and Doc Eason.
The course attracts lawyers and law-enforcement personnel, as well as magicians, students of gambling and history, and many who just find the subject fascinating–you don’t need to be a member of the Magic Castle to sign up for this course, and no previous knowledge or skills are required.
The course is $160 for the eight hours–two hours a night, once a week, for four weeks.
You can switch nights from Monday to Sunday or vice-versa–each week the same lesson is taught on both Sun and Mon at 7:00 pm.
Contact Magic University, and talk to Mark or Nani Wilson at (800) 367-8749 to sign up for the course.
$160 for all four nights.
Pop Haydn
School for Scoundrels at the Magic Castle in Hollywood will begin on Sunday, November 6, and continue on Nov 13, 20, 27, and also on Mondays, November 7, 14, 21, 28. School for Scoundrels is a course taught at the Magic Castle every November since 1996.
Pop Haydn and Chef Anton (two-time national trick-shot champion at pool), teach the class together.
The course attracts lawyers and law-enforcement personnel, as well as magicians, students of gambling and history, and many who just find the subject fascinating–you don’t need to be a member of the Magic Castle to sign up for this course, and no previous knowledge or skills are required.
The course is $160 for the eight hours–two hours a night, once a week, for four weeks.
You can switch nights from Monday to Sunday or vice-versa–each week the same lesson is taught on both Sun and Mon at 7:00 pm.
This course teaches the basic sleight of hand, psychology, history and importance to magic of the three basic street swindles: Three-Card Monte, the Shell Game, and the various games of Fast and Loose.
We believe that the street hustler makes a better role-model for the modern close-up magician than the card cheat which has been the model since the turn of the century.
We believe that street hustlers have much to teach that is of huge benefit to magicians, especially those who work corporate walk around, trade-shows, or private parties where they need to gather a crowd, hold their attention, control their thinking, and get them to do what they want them to do.
Contact Magic University, and talk to Mark or Nani Wilson at (800) 367-8749 to sign up for the course. $160 for all four nights.
Shell Game with Matchboxes. Barcelona
This is an interesting warning for tourists in several languages and cartoons about the dangers of playing the shell game:
Sophie Evans
Closed Monte: The Girl at the Bar
—a monte script by Whit Haydn and Sophie Evans
“Mark is in town on business, and is sitting in a quiet, expensive bar near his hotel. It is late, but he is intrigued by a beautiful, sexy lady who is sitting alone at the bar. Mark watches until he’s sure she isn’t waiting for someone. He approaches her, and the two begin to talk.
“The girl, Dianne, is both flirtatious and in high spirits. She is dressed well and acts like she has money.
“Mark buys her a drink. Dianne warms up to Mark, and he begins to think this night might be more interesting than anticipated.
“A second man, Jack, comes over to the bar to order a drink. Dianne engages him in conversation, and pretty soon Jack begins to compete with Mark for the lady’s attention. It turns out that Jack is an amateur magician, and he does a few simple card tricks, but they are not very impressive.
“Dianne is wild about them. “You’re really great! Do you do that thing with the three cards? Like they do on 42nd Street?”
“Jack launches into a lecture on the trickery involved in that swindle, and explains that no one can keep up with the cards when they are thrown by an expert card sharp such as himself.
“Dianne insists on a demonstration, and gets ticked off when she is wrong several times in a row. She is obviously very competitive, and doesn’t like to lose.
“Jack tries to quit as he begins to sense that the game frustrates her. She refuses to let him quit. “Look, I’ll bet you twenty. Don’t be such a chicken. It’s only money for Chris’ sake. Come on. Twenty on the ace this time.”
“She shames Jack into playing for money.
“Each time she plays, she misses.
“Dianne turns to Mark all in a twist, “Can you follow this? I can’t figure it out…”
“Mark says he can keep up with it pretty well. He was right every time so far, after all.
“Dianne bets another twenty, and when Mark suggest a card, she turns it and wins. She puts her palm on Mark’s chest, “You’re great!”
“Jack says, “Well look, I’m not going to play against the two of you.”
“As Jack orders a drink and is talking to the bartender, Dianne winks at Mark to get his attention, and then touches her lips with a finger. She then marks the back of the ace on it’s corner with a smudge of lipstick and gives Mark’s hand an excited squeeze.
“When Jack turns back, Dianne is insistent that he give her a chance to get the rest of her money back. Jack is now obviously unhappy with the way things are going.
“He refuses and starts to leave.
“Dianne holds him by the arm. “Oh, come on. I’ll bet you $500 that I can get it this time. I’ll put up $250 and my boyfriend here will put up $250.”
“Mark starts to protest. Dianne squeezes his knee and whispers into his ear, “Let’s you and me spend his money tonight! Come on, baby, help me show this sleaze up!”
“Mark still hesitates. Dianne whispers again, “Oh, you’ve got the money—I saw it when you bought the drinks. Don’t be an idiot. Nobody passes up a sure thing!”
“Mark gives in.
“Jack is now copping a real attitude. He puts down his stakes, and Mark and Diannematch. Jack throws the cards and turns to Dianne, “But you have to pick the card, not him. And no help.”
“Dianne stands right up to Jack. “The bets already up. We didn’t agree to that. We both put up money, its up to us to decide who chooses. Go ahead, Mark. You pick one.”
“Mark reaches for the card with the lipstick on the back. The card that he knew was the ace…
“It’s a loser.
“Jack looks up at Dianne and Mark. “You two tried to cheat me, didn’t you?”
“He picks up the money and turns away, as he walks off he says, “Shouldn’t try to kid a kidder…”
“Dianne turns to Mark. “I can’t believe it! I think I’m going to be sick. How could that have happened? Look, buy me another drink, I go to go to the ladies room.”
“Mark sits at the bar nursing two drinks for what seems like a very long time…”
— From School for Scoundrels Notes on Three-Card Monte by Whit Haydn
Photo is from a painting by Sophie Evans’ father, John Dupret.
School for Scoundrels will begin on Sundays November 6, 13, 20, 27, and on Mondays November 7, 14, 21, 28 at the Magic Castle in Hollywood.
The course is $160 for the eight hours–two hours a night.
You can switch nights from Monday to Sunday or vice-versa–the same lesson is taught on Sun and Mon at 7:00 pm.
Contact Mark Wilson at (800) 367-8749 for reservations.
Click for Pop's Website
Sorry for your loss. They leave such a huge hole when they pass...
Thank you for this beautiful thought! I lost my Diamond Girl, black collie shepherd Lab, and feel he
Next week.
when are you performing at the Castle?
No, it was sold some years ago.
Reblogged this on Pop's Soapbox.
Happy Birthday Neil - We are planning on coming back April 17 to celebrate our Anniversary. My wife
Nancy Magill
Pop Haydn
Pop's Soapbox 