1x01 The Human Chimney
April 6, 2008 12:00 pm
From nowhere, you produce billows of smoke out of your mouth...it's like you've manufactured smoke in your lungs!
1x02 The Puzzle
April 7, 2008 12:00 pm
Effect: a hard-as-balls puzzle, that will drive everyone nuts and win you some free booze!
1x03 Bang Your Head
April 8, 2008 12:00 pm
Effect: Your friend beats his head on the bar repeatedly, to everyone's delight.
1x04 The Mirror
April 10, 2008 12:00 pm
For this effect we've dressed up a straight-up old school bar scam. Here's the simple presentation for the classic "you do as I do" effect: Bet a friend he can't copy everything you do.
1x05 How to Stick Your Friends to the Bar
April 17, 2008 12:00 pm
This clever trick uses a pint of beer and two willing thumbs to handcuff your friend (or enemy) to the bar, while you take his keys, wallet, girlfriend and more.
1x06 The Lift
April 24, 2008 12:00 pm
Effect: Defying all laws of leverage, you summon a ridiculous amount of strength.
1x07 The Race
May 1, 2008 12:00 pm
Effect: Bet your friend that you can drink 2 pints of beer before he can drink two shots of his favorite liquor.
1x09 The Jack-O-Lantern
May 15, 2008 12:00 pm
Placing a lit match inside your mouth, you do a very convincing impression of a grinning jack-o-lantern...all without burning yourself.
1x10 Circumference vs. Height
May 22, 2008 12:00 pm
This episode tests your visual perception. Which is more? The circumference of the rim of a pint glass, or the height of the pint glass from the bottom to the top?
1x11 Static Charge Match
May 29, 2008 12:00 pm
Effect: Despite being an insulator, Brian is able to charge a match with static electricity which then causes another match to jump into the air.
1x12 Straw Teepee Puzzle
June 5, 2008 12:00 pm
Effect: Amaze fellow bar patrons by picking up two straws using only one other straw.
1x13 Cigarette Out On Tongue
June 12, 2008 12:00 pm
This one's like a playground dare gone too far...
1x14 Special Edition: Brian's Bizarre New York Magic Show (1)
June 19, 2008 12:00 pm
.Brian opened for the live Diggnation show in New York, and we have it here for those who missed it!
1x15 Special Edition: Brian's Bizarre New York Magic Show (2)
June 26, 2008 12:00 pm
This is the second and final half of Brian's opening act for Diggnation in NY.
1x16 Scam Hot Chicks at the Bar
July 3, 2008 12:00 pm
A guaranteed, never fail way to get the hottest girls at the bar to talk with you for at least 20 minutes.
1x17 Code Drink
July 10, 2008 12:00 pm
Effect: Surprise your friends by telling them you have X-ray vision
1x18 BUSTED! 6 Matches and 4 Triangles puzzle
July 17, 2008 12:00 pm
Watch the Master finally get beat at his own game!
1x19 The Amazing Whiskey/Water Trick
July 24, 2008 12:00 pm
Apply high school physics to amaze your friends and win free drinks.
1x21 Clever Match Trick Scores Free Drinks
August 7, 2008 12:00 pm
All you need is a match, two pint glasses and a quarter, and you'll be drinking free all night!
1x22 Fast and Loose
August 14, 2008 12:00 pm
This game goes by a bunch of names: "fast and loose," "pricking the garter," "the endless chain," "the strap..." The object is simple: a chain is laid in a figure-eight configuration. One of the holes is the true center of the chain and will hold "fast," while the other will not hold, and is instead "loose".
1x24 From the Forums
August 28, 2008 12:00 pm
This week Brian steps out of the bar, and into the Revision3 studios to deliver an episode straight from the Forums!
1x25 The Key Card
September 4, 2008 12:00 pm
Effect: This card trick is quite possible responsible for more free beers than any other in history. It's not just a magic trick, it's a cleverly-laid trap guaranteed to win you a frosty cold one.
1x27 Cheesy Beer Gags
September 18, 2008 12:00 pm
As you know by now, we here at Scam School pride ourselves on giving you only the very best bar scams. Today we break our streak, and instead present you with four stupid beer gags.
1x28 Mind Control Scam
September 25, 2008 12:00 pm
A brand new illusion that will trick your friends into believing in MIND CONTROL.
1x30 Controlled Cards
October 9, 2008 12:00 pm
We've taught you how to scam, swindle, and steal... but we have yet to give you any actual talent. That all changes in this episode. We're going to teach you not only how to control a card to the bottom of the deck, but how to use that talent for a sweet little card trick.
1x31 How to Predict the Future!
October 16, 2008 12:00 pm
What's better than a card trick? Predicting the FREAKING FUTURE, which is exactly what you'll do in this scam. We call it Pigment Prediction.
1x32 The 11 cent slide to TWICE as many free drinks!
October 23, 2008 12:00 pm
If you liked the four-quarter puzzle from Episode 2 (appropriately named, "The Puzzle"), you're going to LOVE the 11-Cent Slide. It's every bit as diabolical and unsolvable as the 4-quarter puzzle, but it has an added twist that should net you TWICE the beers of any other puzzle.
1x33 From the Forums - Part 2!
October 30, 2008 12:00 pm
This week Brian is back in the Revision 3 studios another "From the Forums episode"!
1x34 It's In the Bank
November 6, 2008 12:00 pm
This week we've got another puzzle with a setup that sounds absolutely impossible.
1x35 Stick It To 'Em with The Funnel
November 13, 2008 12:00 pm
We present the atomic bomb of sucker gags: The Funnel!
1x36 Are You Dead or Alive?
November 20, 2008 12:00 pm
As a conversation starter, Brian shows you how to use two toothpicks to detect a pulse.
1x37 You're Always a Winner with Advance Nim
November 27, 2008 12:00 pm
Memorize a few configs and you'll hold the key to another unbeatable game and loads of free drinks!
1x38 A Few Pennies for a Beer!
December 4, 2008 12:00 pm
No matter what the setup, the very best scams are the ones that let the mark think they're on top, only to get punked in the end. That's what makes the penny prediction so great!
1x39 How to Stick a Nail Up Your Nose
December 11, 2008 12:00 pm
Remember Brian sticking a 4-inch nail up his nose? This time he shows you how it works!
1x40 Money, a Short Con and Crime = Short Change
December 18, 2008 12:00 pm
This episode, we're turning to the dark side and learning actual CRIME. Remember, the following is for INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY!
1x41 Scam Hot Ladies at the Bar (Part 2)!
December 25, 2008 12:00 pm
A while back, we taught you the importance of using easy, beatable puzzles to keep girls talking to you at the bar. Our Holiday gift to you is another set of "getting the girl" routines!
1x42 How to Rip a Phonebook in Half!
January 1, 2009 12:00 pm
The tables are turned on Brian, as he is the student learning from the ultimate master of strength!
1x43 Another Short Con with a Magic Bill
January 8, 2009 12:00 pm
We've covered a few magic tricks, and we've covered a few street crimes. This episode we're going to combine the two and get a magic trick that acts as a smokescreen for an actual crime.
1x44 How to predict the future using dominoes!
January 15, 2009 12:00 pm
It's true: you can never have too much money, have too many friends, or know too many ways to predict the freaking future.
1x45 How to bend a thick nail or wrench with your bare hands!
January 22, 2009 12:00 pm
We're back with another dirty trick, designed to teach you how to FAKE your way into (almost) duplicating the feats of the world's strongest men.
1x46 Use 6 Coins to get 1 FREE Drink!
January 29, 2009 12:00 pm
Brian introduces a new diabolical coin puzzle to stump your friends.
1x47 The trick that fooled Einstein
February 5, 2009 12:00 pm
Watch Brian scam Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley with a few coins, and some algebra!
1x48 How to Magically Bend a Horseshoe With Your Bare Hands!
February 12, 2009 12:00 pm
Watch Brian make you think he can use his bare hands to bend a horseshoe and to roll a frying pan!
1x49 Easy card trick called The Spelling Bee
February 19, 2009 12:00 pm
It's rare to find a trick that you can actually fool yourself with...and that's exactly what you get with this episode!
1x50 Fake Telepathy and Scam School in SPACE!
February 26, 2009 12:00 pm
We made it! 50 episodes of Scam School! YEE-HAW!! You learn fake ESP powers and we show you the Mind Control trick from outer space!
And to reward you for sticking with us for almost a year now, we're giving you a double-stuft episode, featuring our first intergalactic scam school student AND a diabolical method to fake telepathy between you and a friend:
And to reward you for sticking with us for almost a year now, we're giving you a double-stuft episode, featuring our first intergalactic scam school student AND a diabolical method to fake telepathy between you and a friend:
1x51 Be a Strongman and Learn Four Feats of Strength!
March 5, 2009 12:00 pm
Welcome to graduation! This is your senior year of Strength School, co-hosted by world record holder and supreme bad ass, Dennis Rogers!
In this episode, you'll learn FOUR feats of strength, designed to prove you're stronger than everyone else in the room put together!
1. The Human Link/Tug of War Watch as Dennis Rogers legitimately uses his grip strength to take on two pullers in a game of tug-of-war...then see how Brian fakes his way to the same feat.
2. Fists of Fury Learn a simple contest of strength that you'll ALWAYS be able to win
3. Payback Learn a trick that will let you get in the first shot if things turn into an ugly bar brawl
In this episode, you'll learn FOUR feats of strength, designed to prove you're stronger than everyone else in the room put together!
1. The Human Link/Tug of War Watch as Dennis Rogers legitimately uses his grip strength to take on two pullers in a game of tug-of-war...then see how Brian fakes his way to the same feat.
2. Fists of Fury Learn a simple contest of strength that you'll ALWAYS be able to win
3. Payback Learn a trick that will let you get in the first shot if things turn into an ugly bar brawl
1x52 We give you the power of Telekinesis!
March 11, 2009 12:00 pm
Make everyone believe you can move an object with your freakin' mind!
SCIENCE FRICTION
EFFECT: a straw is placed on a salt shaker, and moved with your mind
SCIENCE FRICTION
EFFECT: a straw is placed on a salt shaker, and moved with your mind
1x53 Brian Live and Direct from Austin and SXSW
March 18, 2009 12:00 pm
Watch Brian open for Diggnation with an unforgettable live show from Austin, TX at Stubb's Bar-B-Q!!
Brian took the stage to approximately 2,200 audience members while opening for Kevin and Alex's Live Diggnation. You won't believe what he's about to do this time around!
Brian took the stage to approximately 2,200 audience members while opening for Kevin and Alex's Live Diggnation. You won't believe what he's about to do this time around!
1x54 Learn how to eat some balls of fire!
March 25, 2009 12:00 pm
1x55 Watch Cali Lewis, Tony Hsieh and Jay Adelson get scammed!
April 1, 2009 12:00 pm
Brian performs some magic tricks in front of some big wig web celebs!
Remember those awesome days of elementary school, when your teacher would blow off homework in favor of some kind of special "game time"? that's what we're doing today: a special edition of Scam School, where Brian performs for some of the biggest web celebrities.
Remember those awesome days of elementary school, when your teacher would blow off homework in favor of some kind of special "game time"? that's what we're doing today: a special edition of Scam School, where Brian performs for some of the biggest web celebrities.
1x56 The Vanishing Card Trick
April 8, 2009 12:00 pm
Learn how to make a card vanish and land in the most unlikely location.
Effect: A card is randomly selected, vanishes from the deck, and appears inside your shoe!
Effect: A card is randomly selected, vanishes from the deck, and appears inside your shoe!
1x57 Be a Pool Shark!
April 15, 2009 12:00 pm
It's crazy to say it, but we're a year into Scam School, and only now are getting around to addressing one of the biggest, most popular items in any bar: the pool table.
Brian's Disclaimer: I'll be honest, I'm not the best pool player. Hell, I'm not even what most would call "acceptable". But I have learned a couple of cool tricks and sucker bets to use at the pool table.
line up three pool balls right in front of a side pocket. About 6 inches back, place the 8-ball. Finally set up the cue ball behind the 8-ball, and make the following claim: with only a single tap of the cue ball, you'll be able to sink ALL THREE pool balls, WITHOUT anything touching the 8-ball.
Let them try it as much as they want. They'll try jumping the 8-ball or banking off the side rails, all to no avail. And once they've declared it "impossible", prove them wrong...
Brian's Disclaimer: I'll be honest, I'm not the best pool player. Hell, I'm not even what most would call "acceptable". But I have learned a couple of cool tricks and sucker bets to use at the pool table.
line up three pool balls right in front of a side pocket. About 6 inches back, place the 8-ball. Finally set up the cue ball behind the 8-ball, and make the following claim: with only a single tap of the cue ball, you'll be able to sink ALL THREE pool balls, WITHOUT anything touching the 8-ball.
Let them try it as much as they want. They'll try jumping the 8-ball or banking off the side rails, all to no avail. And once they've declared it "impossible", prove them wrong...
1x58 An Easy Mix Match Card Trick
April 22, 2009 12:00 pm
This week, a card effect that requires no dexterity or skill whatsoever, and (best of all), uses only 10 cards out of the deck!
Effect: 5 pairs of matching cards are shuffled and thoroughly mixed...yet by the end, they've all been properly matched with their mate.
Effect: 5 pairs of matching cards are shuffled and thoroughly mixed...yet by the end, they've all been properly matched with their mate.
1x59 Learn the Kung-Fu Match Trap Scam!
April 29, 2009 12:00 pm
From Scam School fan "Cowboy" in the UK, comes the most insidious, diabolical, GENIUS prank Brian has seen since the quarter-on-forehead scam!
Brian has loved this one since the moment he first tried it, but be warned: you'll need to pick the right person to pull this one on.
Get a box of matches that has striking surfaces on each side. Pull out three matches, and have your victim hold two of them (match-head side down) pinched against each side of the matchbox. Balance the third match across the tops of the two pinched matches.
THE CHALLENGE: promise your friend that you'll buy him a beer if he can "karate chop" the balanced match, using just one finger.
Brian has loved this one since the moment he first tried it, but be warned: you'll need to pick the right person to pull this one on.
Get a box of matches that has striking surfaces on each side. Pull out three matches, and have your victim hold two of them (match-head side down) pinched against each side of the matchbox. Balance the third match across the tops of the two pinched matches.
THE CHALLENGE: promise your friend that you'll buy him a beer if he can "karate chop" the balanced match, using just one finger.
1x60 Get lucky, ridiculously lucky with two new card tricks!
May 7, 2009 12:00 pm
If you're comfortable with taking a little risk for a chance at a HUGE reward, you're going to love this week's episode.
We've got two impossibilities that rely on people's inherent misunderstanding of probability.
First up: 5-card mind control: In front of your friend lay down (in this order) the King of Hearts, the Seven of Clubs, the Ace of Diamonds, the Four of Hearts, and the Nine of Diamonds. Ask him to mentally choose any card. 80% of the time, they will choose the Four of Hearts. Try it!
We've got two impossibilities that rely on people's inherent misunderstanding of probability.
First up: 5-card mind control: In front of your friend lay down (in this order) the King of Hearts, the Seven of Clubs, the Ace of Diamonds, the Four of Hearts, and the Nine of Diamonds. Ask him to mentally choose any card. 80% of the time, they will choose the Four of Hearts. Try it!
1x61 Three caps, one beverage
May 13, 2009 12:00 pm
This week, we've got a simple puzzle with an impossible-sounding setup.
Cap #1: you can touch, move prod, and play with. No restrictions, except you can’t pick it up (though you won’t need to, to solve the puzzle).
Cap #2: (the right-side up cap in the middle): pretend this guy is totally rooted to the ground. You can touch it and poke it all you want, but it can’t move anywhere.
Cap #3: This guy’s tricky. Imagine he’s radioactive, and some kind of antimatter version of Cap #1. You can’t touch him, and (worse yet) Cap #1 touches him, it’ll cause an antimatter explosion and the world will end.
The Challenge: within those rules, start with the caps in a row of #1-#2-#3, and end with them in the order of #2-#1-#3. In other words, within the above restrictions, get the first cap between the other two.
Cap #1: you can touch, move prod, and play with. No restrictions, except you can’t pick it up (though you won’t need to, to solve the puzzle).
Cap #2: (the right-side up cap in the middle): pretend this guy is totally rooted to the ground. You can touch it and poke it all you want, but it can’t move anywhere.
Cap #3: This guy’s tricky. Imagine he’s radioactive, and some kind of antimatter version of Cap #1. You can’t touch him, and (worse yet) Cap #1 touches him, it’ll cause an antimatter explosion and the world will end.
The Challenge: within those rules, start with the caps in a row of #1-#2-#3, and end with them in the order of #2-#1-#3. In other words, within the above restrictions, get the first cap between the other two.
1x62 Crack the Government Conspiracy!
May 20, 2009 12:00 pm
Brian hangs out with the crew from CO-OP and schools them on how to uncover a conspiracy theory!
Effect:No matter how secluded your location, no matter how fairly a card is selected, a mysterious third party can be called and will immediately reveal the selected card.
Effect:No matter how secluded your location, no matter how fairly a card is selected, a mysterious third party can be called and will immediately reveal the selected card.
1x63 Scam your way into anything! (Brian's SXSW panel part 1)
May 27, 2009 12:00 pm
Get ready to learn how to scam your way into anything, or anyone!
Here it is! The first half of Brian's standing-room-only panel at South by Southwest Interactive, titled "Social Engineering: Scam your way into anything or from Anybody".
In this first half, you'll learn about:
Fixed Action Patterns
Three psychological "back doors" that leave us open to manipulation: How to use above to steal, cheat, defraud, and get out of speeding tickets.
You'll see demonstration using psychological manipulation, verbal duplicity, and outright deception to manufacture a specific outcome (translation: really kick ass ESP trick)
And most importantly, you'll learn how to take advantage of Fixed Action Patterns including "Liking", "Reciprocation", and (later on) "Authority".
If you're interested in learning more about these topics, make sure to check out Dr. Robert Cialdini's excellent book, "Influence", which covers many of these ideas in detail.
Here it is! The first half of Brian's standing-room-only panel at South by Southwest Interactive, titled "Social Engineering: Scam your way into anything or from Anybody".
In this first half, you'll learn about:
Fixed Action Patterns
Three psychological "back doors" that leave us open to manipulation: How to use above to steal, cheat, defraud, and get out of speeding tickets.
You'll see demonstration using psychological manipulation, verbal duplicity, and outright deception to manufacture a specific outcome (translation: really kick ass ESP trick)
And most importantly, you'll learn how to take advantage of Fixed Action Patterns including "Liking", "Reciprocation", and (later on) "Authority".
If you're interested in learning more about these topics, make sure to check out Dr. Robert Cialdini's excellent book, "Influence", which covers many of these ideas in detail.
1x64 Scam your way into anything panel (part 2), plus bonus Q&A!
June 4, 2009 12:00 pm
The second half of Brian's "Scam your way into anything" panel record from SXSW Interactive!
In tis second half, you'll learn about:
Openers, Tweeners, and Closers: the three types of scam school effects, and how to use them with the "Liking" and "Reciprocation" Fixed Action Patterns from last week's episode.
You'll learn about the "Authority" fixed actionpattern, and how to take advantage of it without saying a word.
You'll also learn how to (hypothetically) get past a bouncer and into a bar, how Brian scammed his way into a SXSW panel, and you'll get to see a demonstration of using situational awareness to get inside someone's mind.
Oh, and bonus: you'll get to see 20 minutes of picking Brian's brain with Q&A!
In tis second half, you'll learn about:
Openers, Tweeners, and Closers: the three types of scam school effects, and how to use them with the "Liking" and "Reciprocation" Fixed Action Patterns from last week's episode.
You'll learn about the "Authority" fixed actionpattern, and how to take advantage of it without saying a word.
You'll also learn how to (hypothetically) get past a bouncer and into a bar, how Brian scammed his way into a SXSW panel, and you'll get to see a demonstration of using situational awareness to get inside someone's mind.
Oh, and bonus: you'll get to see 20 minutes of picking Brian's brain with Q&A!
1x65 Break out of police issued handcuffs!
June 10, 2009 12:00 pm
Break out of police issued handcuffs! Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 – running time 09:58 Because sooner or later, every scammer finds himself in a pair of handcuffs.
This week: no lie, we learn how to escape from police-issue handcuffs!
We all know about trick handcuffs that you can get from the toy store... but how hard is it to escape from 100% real, genuine police-issue handcuffs?
It turns out that with a little help from magician and escape artist Daniel Martin, it's not hard at all.
Daniel joins Brian for the first of several episodes teaching the real tricks and techniques used to escape from sticky situations. In this first episode, Daniel explains three different methods to escape from police-issue handcuffs.
Disclaimer: We're pretty sure it's not illegal to know HOW to escape from handcuffs... but we're 100% sure it's illegal to actually escape when detained by law enforcement (just sayin).
This week: no lie, we learn how to escape from police-issue handcuffs!
We all know about trick handcuffs that you can get from the toy store... but how hard is it to escape from 100% real, genuine police-issue handcuffs?
It turns out that with a little help from magician and escape artist Daniel Martin, it's not hard at all.
Daniel joins Brian for the first of several episodes teaching the real tricks and techniques used to escape from sticky situations. In this first episode, Daniel explains three different methods to escape from police-issue handcuffs.
Disclaimer: We're pretty sure it's not illegal to know HOW to escape from handcuffs... but we're 100% sure it's illegal to actually escape when detained by law enforcement (just sayin).
1x66 Two killer close up performances from Brian!
June 17, 2009 12:00 pm
Here it is! Our final SXSW episode, where you'll see Brian scam and be scammed by Digg CEO Jay Adelson and astronaut/ubergeek Richard Garriott.
Things to look out for on this episode: performances of two killer close up performance from both Brian and Richard, some nuances and a followup lesson on our "human chimney" premiere episode, and (most importantly) how to fool someone who's already familiar with "the mirror" gag from episode 4
Things to look out for on this episode: performances of two killer close up performance from both Brian and Richard, some nuances and a followup lesson on our "human chimney" premiere episode, and (most importantly) how to fool someone who's already familiar with "the mirror" gag from episode 4
1x67 The House of Nails Trick
June 24, 2009 12:00 pm
This week a puzzle (involving nails) that stumped Brian!
The Challenge: Grab 10-13 nails. Hammer one nail into any surface (in a pinch, you can just have someone hold it solidly), and challenge your mark to balance ALL the remaining nails on just the head of the first nail. Assure them it can be done, and without any other external apparatus of any kind.
The Challenge: Grab 10-13 nails. Hammer one nail into any surface (in a pinch, you can just have someone hold it solidly), and challenge your mark to balance ALL the remaining nails on just the head of the first nail. Assure them it can be done, and without any other external apparatus of any kind.
1x68 Always have a winning hand with an easy poker cheat!
July 1, 2009 12:00 pm
An easy trick that lets you cheat your friends at poker!
The Effect: in three rounds of increasingly fair play, you keep beating the sucker in a simple game of poker.
The Effect: in three rounds of increasingly fair play, you keep beating the sucker in a simple game of poker.
1x69 How to open most padlocks WITHOUT the combination or keys!
July 8, 2009 12:00 pm
No locker or bike is safe once you learn this trick!
This week, we're back to learning crime with escape-artist and illusionist Daniel Martin. Our target? Combination and keyed padlocks.
These padlocks are everywhere: on bikes, lockers, trailers, and more, and you won't believe how easy they are to open without any kind of key or proper code. The secret (as Dan explains) is in using a shim, much like the ones explained in the handcuffs episode. Combination lock shims are dirt cheap, and very effective, but most amazing of all, you can make one yourself ABSOLUTELY FREE!
This week, we're back to learning crime with escape-artist and illusionist Daniel Martin. Our target? Combination and keyed padlocks.
These padlocks are everywhere: on bikes, lockers, trailers, and more, and you won't believe how easy they are to open without any kind of key or proper code. The secret (as Dan explains) is in using a shim, much like the ones explained in the handcuffs episode. Combination lock shims are dirt cheap, and very effective, but most amazing of all, you can make one yourself ABSOLUTELY FREE!
1x70 Through the Table
July 15, 2009 12:00 pm
Move a solid object straight through any table!
Effect: After claiming he can send a coin through the table, the scamster instead slams his hand on a large salt-shaker, appearing to slam it down and *through* the table!
Effect: After claiming he can send a coin through the table, the scamster instead slams his hand on a large salt-shaker, appearing to slam it down and *through* the table!
1x71 Always win a virtual version of Rock-Paper-Scissors
July 22, 2009 12:00 pm
Without looking, peeking, or even cheating, the scam artist can tell who will win in a virtual game of rock-paper-scissors
1x72 How to get out of Thumbcuffs!
July 29, 2009 12:00 pm
This week -- they're trickier, harder, and sneakier than handcuffs: we escape from thumbcuffs!
We're back with a little help from magician and escape artist Daniel Martin, who joins Brian for the third episode teaching the real tricks and techniques used to escape from sticky situations. In this episode, Daniel explains how to escape from thumbcuffs.
Disclaimer: We're pretty sure it's not illegal to know HOW to escape from thumbcuffs... but we're 100% sure it's illegal to actually escape when detained by law enforcement (just sayin').
We're back with a little help from magician and escape artist Daniel Martin, who joins Brian for the third episode teaching the real tricks and techniques used to escape from sticky situations. In this episode, Daniel explains how to escape from thumbcuffs.
Disclaimer: We're pretty sure it's not illegal to know HOW to escape from thumbcuffs... but we're 100% sure it's illegal to actually escape when detained by law enforcement (just sayin').
1x73 Read minds with Mental Mastery!
August 5, 2009 12:00 pm
Learn how to read the secret thoughts of three friends!
Effect: straight from the forums comes our most epic mind-reading effect yet...Three volunteers are each asked a fair, random question as the scammer jots down his guesses and hides them in a glass.
After everyone has "locked in" their answers, the scammer shows that he's three for three in his guesses.
Effect: straight from the forums comes our most epic mind-reading effect yet...Three volunteers are each asked a fair, random question as the scammer jots down his guesses and hides them in a glass.
After everyone has "locked in" their answers, the scammer shows that he's three for three in his guesses.
1x74 Win The Match Drop Trick Every Time!
August 12, 2009 12:00 pm
A simple game of skill that looks completely fair, but always leaves the sucker short.
Setup: grab a book of wooden matches and make a "game board" consisting of parallel lines covering a wide surface (make sure each line is exactly one full match-length away from the next). Next, explain you and your mark will take turns dropping matches from approximately 18 inches above the board. They can either aim to (a) HIT the parallel lines or (b) MISS the parallel lines. After a run of 20 matches is complete, the winner's the one who hit their targets the most.
Setup: grab a book of wooden matches and make a "game board" consisting of parallel lines covering a wide surface (make sure each line is exactly one full match-length away from the next). Next, explain you and your mark will take turns dropping matches from approximately 18 inches above the board. They can either aim to (a) HIT the parallel lines or (b) MISS the parallel lines. After a run of 20 matches is complete, the winner's the one who hit their targets the most.
1x75 Get Slap Happy with the Static Shot
August 19, 2009 12:00 pm
This effect has everything: it's fun to do, it looks impressive, it makes you feel like you've got superpowers, and most importantly... it lets you make someone look like an idiot.
1x76 Zip Tie Escape
August 26, 2009 12:00 pm
Learn how to use a zip tie for breaking and entering!
This week we're back with escape-artist/illusionist/badass Dan Martin, this time playing with zip ties. Not only will we learn how to escape from them, but also how to use zip ties to bust open locked doors!
(safety note: don't be a complete idiot when playing with zipties and cut off your circulation. They'll have to cut off your hand then, and you'll have to explain for the rest of your life that you are missing a hand because you're an idiot.)
This week we're back with escape-artist/illusionist/badass Dan Martin, this time playing with zip ties. Not only will we learn how to escape from them, but also how to use zip ties to bust open locked doors!
(safety note: don't be a complete idiot when playing with zipties and cut off your circulation. They'll have to cut off your hand then, and you'll have to explain for the rest of your life that you are missing a hand because you're an idiot.)
1x77 Punk your friend with Face Up Poker
September 2, 2009 12:00 pm
A poker cheat that lets you win twice in a row, AND punk your friend at the same time!
Effect: In a totally fair, completely simple contest of "face up draw poker," the Scammer wins not one, but TWO beers off his mark.
Effect: In a totally fair, completely simple contest of "face up draw poker," the Scammer wins not one, but TWO beers off his mark.
1x78 Tip-over Box: The Perfect Impromptu Rigged Game
September 9, 2009 12:00 pm
This week's scam is perfect in so many ways: you can do it anytime, anywhere, with borrowed items you'd find at the bar, and best of all: it's a totally rigged game that lets you decide who wins and who loses.
1x79 Brian vs. Revision3 and the Memory Test!
September 16, 2009 12:00 pm
Think you're smart? Wait until you see the surprising results of the Memory test...
Think you have a good memory? This week, we've got an interactive experiment you can try at home to test your skills... Warning: the results are going to surprise you!
Think you have a good memory? This week, we've got an interactive experiment you can try at home to test your skills... Warning: the results are going to surprise you!
1x80 The Ultimate Card Cheat
September 23, 2009 12:00 pm
Cheat at ANY game of cards!
This episode we walk you step-by-step through the process of creating the most powerful tool in your scam school arsenal: the marked deck. Creating one is reasonably fast, easy, and best of all... free!
Once you've made your marked deck, there's literally no limit to the tricks an scams you can pull on your friends. From cheating at poker to busting out an unbelievable mind-reading trick... Anything's possible!
This episode we walk you step-by-step through the process of creating the most powerful tool in your scam school arsenal: the marked deck. Creating one is reasonably fast, easy, and best of all... free!
Once you've made your marked deck, there's literally no limit to the tricks an scams you can pull on your friends. From cheating at poker to busting out an unbelievable mind-reading trick... Anything's possible!
1x81 Fine Dining scam!
September 30, 2009 12:00 pm
An impossible riddle with an unbeatable payoff!
We've done puzzles here on Scam School before, but never have we had one with such an unfair setup, or such a surprising solution.
Setup: In any restaurant with a tablecloth, set a dime between two nickels, and set an upside-down glass balanced on the two nickels.
The Challenge: get the dime out from it's prison without touching the glass or the coins, AND without touching anything with another object.
Note: I like to add the extra red herring of saying they can use "anything on the table" to make it work. That way, they'll spend more time focusing on random objects, and less time thinking outside the box.
We've done puzzles here on Scam School before, but never have we had one with such an unfair setup, or such a surprising solution.
Setup: In any restaurant with a tablecloth, set a dime between two nickels, and set an upside-down glass balanced on the two nickels.
The Challenge: get the dime out from it's prison without touching the glass or the coins, AND without touching anything with another object.
Note: I like to add the extra red herring of saying they can use "anything on the table" to make it work. That way, they'll spend more time focusing on random objects, and less time thinking outside the box.
1x82 The Heist II
October 7, 2009 12:00 pm
Do you remember "The Heist" from episode 21? Well, the sequel is even more unfair than the original!
The setup: balance a nickel (the prize) on it's side on the table. Balance a wooden matchstick on top of the nickel. Finally, cover the whole arrangement with a plastic cup or pint glass (whichever you discover works best for you).
The challenge: The math is your security alarm, and as long as the match is balanced on the nickel, anything touching, shaking, or moving the cup will activate the alarm. Your job: disable the alarm system WITHOUT setting off the alarm!
The setup: balance a nickel (the prize) on it's side on the table. Balance a wooden matchstick on top of the nickel. Finally, cover the whole arrangement with a plastic cup or pint glass (whichever you discover works best for you).
The challenge: The math is your security alarm, and as long as the match is balanced on the nickel, anything touching, shaking, or moving the cup will activate the alarm. Your job: disable the alarm system WITHOUT setting off the alarm!
1x83 31 - the ultimate rigged card game
October 14, 2009 12:00 pm
Use this rigged game to cheat your friends twice in a row!
This week we're learning a rigged game that combines principles we learned from both the "nim" and "advanced nim" episodes, and combines them with an added twist that allows you to beat your mark even after he knows the secret!
The fame goes by several names (we're calling it "31"), and both the setup and rules are simple...
The setup: pull out all the aces through sixes in a deck of cards, an set them into piles by value (a pile of four aces, four twos, four threes, etc.)
The rules: each player takes turns picking up cards and adding them to "the pot", increasing it's total amount by the value of each card. The first player to take to pot OVER 31 loses.
This week we're learning a rigged game that combines principles we learned from both the "nim" and "advanced nim" episodes, and combines them with an added twist that allows you to beat your mark even after he knows the secret!
The fame goes by several names (we're calling it "31"), and both the setup and rules are simple...
The setup: pull out all the aces through sixes in a deck of cards, an set them into piles by value (a pile of four aces, four twos, four threes, etc.)
The rules: each player takes turns picking up cards and adding them to "the pot", increasing it's total amount by the value of each card. The first player to take to pot OVER 31 loses.
1x84 Napkin Chess - another unbeatable puzzle!
October 21, 2009 12:00 pm
This week: a rigged game of skill & a simple sucker bet!
First off, our main event: it seems like everyone makes up goofy little games to pass the time at the bar. This week we've got one with a secret method that will guarantee you the win:
The Setup: lay out a bunch of pocket change (and I mean a LOT of it... quarters, dimes, nickels, etc.) and a small cocktail napkin.
The Rules: take turns laying down coins on the napkin. You can place any size coin you want, anywhere on the napkin, as long as nothing goes over the edge or touches another coin. The LOSER is the one who can't find a proper place to set their coin (... and no balancing coins on their edges!)
First off, our main event: it seems like everyone makes up goofy little games to pass the time at the bar. This week we've got one with a secret method that will guarantee you the win:
The Setup: lay out a bunch of pocket change (and I mean a LOT of it... quarters, dimes, nickels, etc.) and a small cocktail napkin.
The Rules: take turns laying down coins on the napkin. You can place any size coin you want, anywhere on the napkin, as long as nothing goes over the edge or touches another coin. The LOSER is the one who can't find a proper place to set their coin (... and no balancing coins on their edges!)
1x85 How to escape from a straitjacket!
October 28, 2009 12:00 pm
With the help of magician Dan Martin, you'll learn the steps to escape from a straitjacket!
We're back with another episode featuring special guest Dan Martin! This week, Brian and Dan explain step by step how to get out of a real straitjacket, as well as debunk some myths and legends associated with the stunt.
First off, it's important to note that straitjackets are rarely designed to be "escape-proof". They're mainly used to prevent psychiatric patients from hurting themselves or others. As such, carefully thinking through the process of the escape (along with having some patience and flexibility) should make it possible to escape from most regulation straitjackets.
In this video, Brian and Dan break down the escape step-by-step, showing exactly how each of them pulls off Houdini's classic stunt.
We're back with another episode featuring special guest Dan Martin! This week, Brian and Dan explain step by step how to get out of a real straitjacket, as well as debunk some myths and legends associated with the stunt.
First off, it's important to note that straitjackets are rarely designed to be "escape-proof". They're mainly used to prevent psychiatric patients from hurting themselves or others. As such, carefully thinking through the process of the escape (along with having some patience and flexibility) should make it possible to escape from most regulation straitjackets.
In this video, Brian and Dan break down the escape step-by-step, showing exactly how each of them pulls off Houdini's classic stunt.
1x86 How to light a match with your teeth!
November 4, 2009 12:00 pm
Look like a complete badass with this simple trick.
***WARNING: this week we're playing with matches again. We shouldn't have to tell you that only responsible adults should attempt any of today's feats under proper safety conditions. We should also point out that if you attempt ANY of these tricks, you absolutely WILL GET BURNED.***
There. Warning's out of the way. Yes you'll get burned, but man, you'll look badass... Do you have what it takes to light a match with your teeth?
PHASE ONE: grab a box of "strike anywhere" matches, and pick out the ones that have the most white "strike anywhere" material on them.
PHASE TWO: dry off your teeth. When you're first practicing, use a paper towel to make sure they're completely dry. Later, as you get more practiced, you'll be able to just use your fingers to get it dry enough.
PHASE THREE: place the match in the part of your teeth that will have the maximum strike area. For a lucky few, you'll be able to pop the match straight forward and light it. For the rest of us, you'll want to drag the match across the bottom of your incisors to fully ignite it.
NOTE: we have no idea what this does to your teeth long term... but we can't imagine it's good :-0
***WARNING: this week we're playing with matches again. We shouldn't have to tell you that only responsible adults should attempt any of today's feats under proper safety conditions. We should also point out that if you attempt ANY of these tricks, you absolutely WILL GET BURNED.***
There. Warning's out of the way. Yes you'll get burned, but man, you'll look badass... Do you have what it takes to light a match with your teeth?
PHASE ONE: grab a box of "strike anywhere" matches, and pick out the ones that have the most white "strike anywhere" material on them.
PHASE TWO: dry off your teeth. When you're first practicing, use a paper towel to make sure they're completely dry. Later, as you get more practiced, you'll be able to just use your fingers to get it dry enough.
PHASE THREE: place the match in the part of your teeth that will have the maximum strike area. For a lucky few, you'll be able to pop the match straight forward and light it. For the rest of us, you'll want to drag the match across the bottom of your incisors to fully ignite it.
NOTE: we have no idea what this does to your teeth long term... but we can't imagine it's good :-0
1x87 Dan Martin Vanishing Coin Trick
November 11, 2009 12:00 pm
Quickly and easily teleport a coin!
This week, we're back with Dan Martin who shares with us a quick-and-dirty method to make a coin vanish from one hand and appear in the other.
This week, we're back with Dan Martin who shares with us a quick-and-dirty method to make a coin vanish from one hand and appear in the other.
1x88 Best Worst Pool Trickshot!
November 18, 2009 12:00 pm
Learn a trickshot that will make you CASH at the bar!
Sometimes the best tricks are the ones that don't look like one at all... In this case, you'll learn a simple trickshot that's actually *harder* to screw up than to do correctly... and then you'll use it to score free drinks at the bar!
Sometimes the best tricks are the ones that don't look like one at all... In this case, you'll learn a simple trickshot that's actually *harder* to screw up than to do correctly... and then you'll use it to score free drinks at the bar!
1x89 The Watch Steal
November 25, 2009 12:00 pm
Blow their minds when you steal the watch right off their wrist!
FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY... and don't keep the watch. That would be illegal.
Dan Martin's back with more crimes and misdemeanors... this time, teaching us how to steal watches right off the wrists of our friends, without them even noticing!
FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY... and don't keep the watch. That would be illegal.
Dan Martin's back with more crimes and misdemeanors... this time, teaching us how to steal watches right off the wrists of our friends, without them even noticing!
1x90 Cheat at Texas Hold 'Em!
December 2, 2009 12:00 pm
Computer-Generated stack allows your to CHEAT at Texas Hold 'Em!
This week, Scam School reveals a computer-generated stack of cards that will allow the dealer to cheat and always win at Texas Holdem! Thanks to programmer Ben Joffe, who wrote a computer simulation and designed special decks of cards that will *always* allow the dealer to win, no matter where the deck is cut.
This week, Scam School reveals a computer-generated stack of cards that will allow the dealer to cheat and always win at Texas Holdem! Thanks to programmer Ben Joffe, who wrote a computer simulation and designed special decks of cards that will *always* allow the dealer to win, no matter where the deck is cut.
1x91 Pool Hall Scams
December 9, 2009 12:00 pm
2 pool hall scams guaranteed to win you some cash!
This week, a double punch: one quick-and-dirty way to trick your friends, and a proposition bet that will double your take.
Pool Hall Trick #1
While halfway through playing a standard game of 8 ball, start calling out your opponent. Tell him he stinks. He's got nothin'. In fact, claim that you're so good, he won't sink another ball for the rest of the entire game!
Pool Hall Coin Trick #2
Place a ball on the table's spot, then place a dime on top of the ball. Fire the cue ball forward, knock the ball off, and watch as the dime lands right on the spot.
This week, a double punch: one quick-and-dirty way to trick your friends, and a proposition bet that will double your take.
Pool Hall Trick #1
While halfway through playing a standard game of 8 ball, start calling out your opponent. Tell him he stinks. He's got nothin'. In fact, claim that you're so good, he won't sink another ball for the rest of the entire game!
Pool Hall Coin Trick #2
Place a ball on the table's spot, then place a dime on top of the ball. Fire the cue ball forward, knock the ball off, and watch as the dime lands right on the spot.
1x92 Easy Book Test
December 16, 2009 12:00 pm
Read your friends' minds with this easy book test miracle!
Effect: a randomly selected word is selected from a randomly selected book... yet without peeking or cheating, YOU tell them which word they're thinking of!
Effect: a randomly selected word is selected from a randomly selected book... yet without peeking or cheating, YOU tell them which word they're thinking of!
1x93 Psychic Dice to Punk the Drunk
December 23, 2009 12:00 pm
Easy dice trick lets you read drunk people's minds!
Three dice are dropped into a glass, covered with a coaster, then shaken up. The mark lifts up the glass just enough to peek at the bottom sides of all three dice, then adds all three dice to get a total value. Without peeking or cheating, the scam artist is able to divine the secret number in the sucker's mind!
Three dice are dropped into a glass, covered with a coaster, then shaken up. The mark lifts up the glass just enough to peek at the bottom sides of all three dice, then adds all three dice to get a total value. Without peeking or cheating, the scam artist is able to divine the secret number in the sucker's mind!
1x94 Get Cork'd! Stump The Drunk With An Easy Cork
December 30, 2009 12:00 pm
Cork trick is nearly impossible for them to copy!
This week we've got a combination puzzle and magic trick, and the best part is that even AFTER you show them how it's done, they won't be able to pull it off!
Place 2 wine corks in the crook of each of your thumbs, pinched against your index fingers.
The challenge is to get each of the corks pinched between the thumb and forefinger of the OTHER hand, and pull your hands apart simultaneously.
This week we've got a combination puzzle and magic trick, and the best part is that even AFTER you show them how it's done, they won't be able to pull it off!
Place 2 wine corks in the crook of each of your thumbs, pinched against your index fingers.
The challenge is to get each of the corks pinched between the thumb and forefinger of the OTHER hand, and pull your hands apart simultaneously.
1x95 Blow Hard Scam
January 6, 2010 12:00 pm
Bottle bet makes 'em look goofy AND win you a free drink
We've said it before: you just can't know too many ways to win a free drink. This time, the setup is simple: fold a bottlecap in half and place it inside the lip of a bottle set on its side. Tell them all they have to do to win a free drink is blow the bottlecap into the bottle. However, once they start, every puff of air only blows the bottlecap out of the bottle!
We've said it before: you just can't know too many ways to win a free drink. This time, the setup is simple: fold a bottlecap in half and place it inside the lip of a bottle set on its side. Tell them all they have to do to win a free drink is blow the bottlecap into the bottle. However, once they start, every puff of air only blows the bottlecap out of the bottle!
1x96 Use Non-Transitive Dice to cheat your friends!
January 13, 2010 12:00 pm
Math paradox lets you cheat your friends
The Setup: First, make yourself a set of "non-transitive dice". These are dice that are completely ungimmicked, but they have a different set of values on each side of the die than you would normally find. All you'll need is 6 dice and some model airplane paint. Paint 2 of the dice completely green, 2 completely red, and 2 completely blue. Next, assign number values as you see here:
Red: 1 4 4 4 4 4
Green: 2 2 2 5 5 5
Blue: 3 3 3 3 3 6
...if you don't want to spend the time to make your own, google "non-transitive dice" and you'll be able to buy some pre-made online. Just make sure they're the same style as the ones we're making here.
The Setup: First, make yourself a set of "non-transitive dice". These are dice that are completely ungimmicked, but they have a different set of values on each side of the die than you would normally find. All you'll need is 6 dice and some model airplane paint. Paint 2 of the dice completely green, 2 completely red, and 2 completely blue. Next, assign number values as you see here:
Red: 1 4 4 4 4 4
Green: 2 2 2 5 5 5
Blue: 3 3 3 3 3 6
...if you don't want to spend the time to make your own, google "non-transitive dice" and you'll be able to buy some pre-made online. Just make sure they're the same style as the ones we're making here.
1x97 Psychic Matchbooks
January 20, 2010 12:00 pm
3 simple matchbooks for a mental miracle and an easy free drink!
Effect: three matchbooks are set in front of the mark. While you turn around (or even leave the room!), he's invited to grab any matchbook and sneakily remove one match from anywhere, and replace the matchbook on the exact same place.
Once you turn back around, you pick up each matchbook and weigh it in the palm of your hand. After holding up each one in turn, you boldly (and correctly) reveal which matchbook is missing a match!
Effect: three matchbooks are set in front of the mark. While you turn around (or even leave the room!), he's invited to grab any matchbook and sneakily remove one match from anywhere, and replace the matchbook on the exact same place.
Once you turn back around, you pick up each matchbook and weigh it in the palm of your hand. After holding up each one in turn, you boldly (and correctly) reveal which matchbook is missing a match!
1x98 The Hot Seat Card Trick
January 28, 2010 12:00 pm
This week: a killer card trick, complete with a twist at the end... this card trick works BETTER because it screws up!
1x100 The Birthday Scam and 100th Episode Extravaganza!
February 10, 2010 12:00 pm
For our 100th episode, we've got a statistical scam that sounds impossible.
1x103 Heads-Tails Trick! Read Ther Minds Using the Change in Their Pocket!
March 3, 2010 12:00 pm
Amazing trick reads minds with NO trick coins, NO secret helpers... and no cheating!
While you look away, your friend flips over a bunch of coins to a random assortment of heads and tails. Next, she covers up one coin and thinks about whether it was "heads" or "tails" side up... and you tell her exactly what she's thinking of!
While you look away, your friend flips over a bunch of coins to a random assortment of heads and tails. Next, she covers up one coin and thinks about whether it was "heads" or "tails" side up... and you tell her exactly what she's thinking of!
1x105 How to Throw Cards Like Gambit!
March 17, 2010 12:00 pm
Hurl playing cards 50 feet at a time! Fling them hard enough to break water balloons, or even embed them into aluminum sheeting!
1x106 Live from Stubbs BBQ in Austin - 2010!
March 24, 2010 12:00 pm
Check out Brian's live show from Austin, as he opened for Diggnation!
1x107 Science prank! Will it sink or float?
March 31, 2010 12:00 pm
Physics scam creates IMPOSSIBLE result!
1x108 The Monty Hall Paradox!
April 7, 2010 12:00 pm
Use some sneaky statistics to win free beers off of your friends.
1x110 The Assassination Mind Reading Trick!
April 22, 2010 12:00 pm
Use this mental miracle to keep your friends from betraying you...
1x111 Use Probability to Cheat Your Friends!
April 28, 2010 12:00 pm
Win free beers by taking advantage of their bad judgment!
1x112 Pi Day Magic Trick
May 5, 2010 12:00 pm
How to read minds over Twitter, on the phone, or in person!
1x113 Look like a card shark with the one-handed cut!
May 12, 2010 12:00 pm
This week we've got a double punch: not only will this trick make you look like a card-dealing badass, but there's an quick, easy, and (most importantly) impressive card trick to learn with it!
1x114 How to Cut a Lime in half with a cigarette!
May 19, 2010 12:00 pm
This week we've got an unbelievable stunt that allegedly comes from no less than the Texas State Prison system! Thanks to Chuck Savage who sent in the following:
1x116 2 ways to scam your friends... with no objects at all!
June 2, 2010 12:00 pm
Cheat your friends with an unbeatable game!
1x117 The Cigarette Stump
June 9, 2010 12:00 pm
This week, it's a super short-and-sweet puzzle that'll stump any smoker.
1x118 Triple Threat Mind Reading Trick
June 16, 2010 12:00 pm
EASY new Mind Reading trick from Seth Rover.
1x119 Predict any game of tic tac toe
June 23, 2010 12:00 pm
Use MIND CONTROL to force a game of tic tac toe!
1x124 Sweet Victory
July 28, 2010 12:00 pm
How to use the sugar packets at your table to drink for free!
1x125 Favorite Pool Hall Tricks
August 4, 2010 12:00 pm
This week we've got a boatload of pool hall favorites!
1x126 Play With Matches
August 11, 2010 12:00 pm
This week we've got two quick and easy tricks with matches.
1x127 Pool Hall Tricks (Part 2)
August 18, 2010 12:00 pm
This week we're back with another collection of pool hall favorites.
1x128 Marx's Fave
August 25, 2010 12:00 pm
CHICO MARX'S FAVORITE SCAM! Swindle your friends with this easy rigged contest.
1x129 Use Misdirection to Pull Off True Sleight of Hand
September 1, 2010 12:00 pm
Learn this quick and easy disappearing trick to scam yourself into a free beer and amaze your friends!
1x130 Olive Sniffer
September 8, 2010 12:00 pm
The Setup: place 2 napkins a decent length apart (even better, have them on different tables!). Grab a brandy snifter and an olive.
The Challenge: without touching or moving the landing pads, use the snifter to pick up the olive from launchpad A, and safely deposit him onto launchpad B. No touching anything except the snifter, and the olive must take off from the one pad, and land on the other.
The Challenge: without touching or moving the landing pads, use the snifter to pick up the olive from launchpad A, and safely deposit him onto launchpad B. No touching anything except the snifter, and the olive must take off from the one pad, and land on the other.
1x131 Cheat Your Friends At A Fair Coin Toss!
September 15, 2010 12:00 pm
The Setup: using a totally fair quarter, you and your friend will place bets on which sequence of coin tosses are most likely to come first... while it looks totally fair, you'll have up to a 7 to 1 advantage over them!
The Scam: This is an old math problem called "Penney's Game". In this game, each player chooses a 3-digit sequence of coin flips... a coin is flipped over and over again, and whomever's sequence of heads and tails comes first, wins. in other words, player 1 may choose HTH (heads, tails, heads) as his sequence, while player 2 would choose HHT. when the coin is flipped, the results may be: TTHTTHHT, in which case, player 2 would win.
The Scam: This is an old math problem called "Penney's Game". In this game, each player chooses a 3-digit sequence of coin flips... a coin is flipped over and over again, and whomever's sequence of heads and tails comes first, wins. in other words, player 1 may choose HTH (heads, tails, heads) as his sequence, while player 2 would choose HHT. when the coin is flipped, the results may be: TTHTTHHT, in which case, player 2 would win.
1x132 Over The Wall
September 22, 2010 12:00 pm
The Setup: grab two straws and an empty beer bottle. On the straws, mark a "no man's land" of about 2-3 inches in the middle.
The Rules: Neither you, nor anything else is allowed to touch anything in this "no man's land" area on either straw. Each independent side of each straw can touch either you (your fingers), or the beer bottle... but no one side can touch both you and the bottle at the same time.
The Challenge: Staying within these rules, use the straws to pick up the bottle off the table, carry it over the wall, and land it safely on the other side.
The Rules: Neither you, nor anything else is allowed to touch anything in this "no man's land" area on either straw. Each independent side of each straw can touch either you (your fingers), or the beer bottle... but no one side can touch both you and the bottle at the same time.
The Challenge: Staying within these rules, use the straws to pick up the bottle off the table, carry it over the wall, and land it safely on the other side.
1x133 Easy & Deceptive Card Trick: The Card Swipe
September 29, 2010 12:00 pm
If cards is your game than Card Swap is one for the players. Ever do a card trick and have everyone sweat it out only to discover the way to win is not in the cards at all. Enjoy this week's episode of Scam School you won't want to miss!
Card Swap: The Setup Brian plays card swap with 2 lucky subjects! Lay 13 cards out, from Ace to King. Below, lay 13 more cards from King to Ace.
Trying it Out: The Game Brian watches the guys play card swap to see if they can figure out how it's done. Each turn, a player can swap any two cards they like. Whenever a card from the top layer lines up with its match on the bottom layer, the cards are "locked in" and cannot be moved again. Winner is the LAST one to lock in a card.
Card Swap: The Setup Brian plays card swap with 2 lucky subjects! Lay 13 cards out, from Ace to King. Below, lay 13 more cards from King to Ace.
Trying it Out: The Game Brian watches the guys play card swap to see if they can figure out how it's done. Each turn, a player can swap any two cards they like. Whenever a card from the top layer lines up with its match on the bottom layer, the cards are "locked in" and cannot be moved again. Winner is the LAST one to lock in a card.
1x134 Word Play
October 6, 2010 12:00 pm
Think you are good with words? What if I took a bunch of letters and ripped them away from the alphabet could you still spell words? Let's find out?
The Setup: Find any two people at the bar, and find out which of the two is the better wordsmith. Give them both 90 seconds to think up as many words as they possibly can without the letters A, B, C, or J, K, M, or P.
The Bet: After the wordsmith takes his turn, offer a twist: not only will you bet that Ms. not-good-with-words will win, but that she'll be able to come up with 50 words in less than 90 seconds. You'll help her only by contributing five words to her list.
The Setup: Find any two people at the bar, and find out which of the two is the better wordsmith. Give them both 90 seconds to think up as many words as they possibly can without the letters A, B, C, or J, K, M, or P.
The Bet: After the wordsmith takes his turn, offer a twist: not only will you bet that Ms. not-good-with-words will win, but that she'll be able to come up with 50 words in less than 90 seconds. You'll help her only by contributing five words to her list.
1x135 It's Time to Get All Tangled Up!
October 13, 2010 12:00 pm
No matter where you are, it helps to know a couple of sweet tricks you can do with totally borrowed objects... and this week we've got one on loan from world champion magician Michael Ammar!
The Setup: borrow two hair bands from any two girls, and hook them onto your index fingers and pinkies.
The Effect: after reaching forward and rubbing two bands together... your mark is shocked to find the two rubber bands completely linked! the effect is repeated and both bands are shown to be completely ungimmicked.
The Setup: borrow two hair bands from any two girls, and hook them onto your index fingers and pinkies.
The Effect: after reaching forward and rubbing two bands together... your mark is shocked to find the two rubber bands completely linked! the effect is repeated and both bands are shown to be completely ungimmicked.
1x136 How To Spot A Liar
October 20, 2010 12:00 pm
This week we're joined by an expert in microexpressions, lie detections, and negotiation: Clark Freshman of UC San Francisco. Find out how to tell when someone's lying, when they're hiding something, or when you're secretly annoying them at the bar!
Find out more about Clark's work at http://clarkfreshman.com
Find out more about Clark's work at http://clarkfreshman.com
1x137 Playing with Matches Without Catching on Fire!
October 27, 2010 12:00 pm
This week we've got two super simple, killer matchstick puzzles!
This week we've got two super simple, killer matchstick puzzles:
For starters, set up matchsticks to make the roman numeral expression "seven equals one". Obviously no matter how you read it, this equation is wrong... But by moving just one match you can make it true.
Next up: Use matchsticks to create a grid of sixteen squares (as seen in the video)... The challenge is to remove just 9 matches, and end up with absolutely no squares)... Watch the episode for the solution!
This week we've got two super simple, killer matchstick puzzles:
For starters, set up matchsticks to make the roman numeral expression "seven equals one". Obviously no matter how you read it, this equation is wrong... But by moving just one match you can make it true.
Next up: Use matchsticks to create a grid of sixteen squares (as seen in the video)... The challenge is to remove just 9 matches, and end up with absolutely no squares)... Watch the episode for the solution!
1x138 How To Spot A Liar (Part 2)
November 3, 2010 12:00 pm
This week we complete our interview with an expert in microexpressions, lie detections, and negotiation: Clark Freshman of UC San Francisco. Find out how to tell when someone's lying, when they're hiding something, or when you're secretly annoying them at the bar!
Find out more about Clark's work at http://clarkfreshman.com
Find out more about Clark's work at http://clarkfreshman.com
1x139 Want to Be A Street Performer?
November 10, 2010 12:00 pm
So by now you've got well over 100 kick-ass tricks you're learned from scam school, and I get a LOT of letters from people asking how to hone their skills as a performer. Everyone's different, but I know that for me, street performing was an invaluable experience. It forced me to learn how to build a crowd, how to recognize when people were getting bored, and gave me an opportunity to hone my skills without having to book a "real" show. In this episode of Scam School, we take it to the streets and try to discover the ins and outs of street performing.
1x140 Silly Straws!
November 17, 2010 12:00 pm
This week, we've got a quick and easy kickass trick that has two straws (or dollar bills... or really any two flexible tube-like objects) penetrating each other.
1x141 'Couple' of Puzzles
November 24, 2010 12:00 pm
This week we've got two match puzzles that should leave them stumped!
Puzzle 1: You've got two pieces; a bucket filled with a couple of matches, and a "tent" made from the unwrapped outer cover of a matchbox. The Challenge: get the tent over the matches without touching anything, and without leaving your seat.
Puzzle 2: start with a simple 2x2 square made of matches. The Challenge: to cut the square into two, perfectly equal sides with exactly the same shape... using 4 matches.
Puzzle 1: You've got two pieces; a bucket filled with a couple of matches, and a "tent" made from the unwrapped outer cover of a matchbox. The Challenge: get the tent over the matches without touching anything, and without leaving your seat.
Puzzle 2: start with a simple 2x2 square made of matches. The Challenge: to cut the square into two, perfectly equal sides with exactly the same shape... using 4 matches.
1x142 Two Quick and Dirty Puzzles
December 1, 2010 12:00 pm
Puzzle 1: draw 9 dots in a 3x3 grid, surrounded by a box. The goal: by drawing just 2 squares, get each dot (rattlesnake) in its own, complete separate "cage"
Puzzle 2: Bite the heads off of 2 matchsticks, and arrange them in the shape of a "T" (as shown in the episode). The question: which stick is longer, the horizontal, or the vertical?
Puzzle 2: Bite the heads off of 2 matchsticks, and arrange them in the shape of a "T" (as shown in the episode). The question: which stick is longer, the horizontal, or the vertical?
1x143 Russian Roulette with Vodka!
December 8, 2010 12:00 pm
This week we've got special guests from PC Gamer magazine and we're learning a *killer* mental trick.
1x144 The Scoop
December 15, 2010 12:00 pm
This week we've got a bar room classic-- learn it now so you don't get punked at the bar!!
Setup: Pour about a shot of water into a saucer or small plate. The challenge is to use a few standard bar items to get as much water into the glass, in as little time as possible. (warning: make sure you don't have a ton of napkins around... They'll just soak everything up and throw it in the glass)
Setup: Pour about a shot of water into a saucer or small plate. The challenge is to use a few standard bar items to get as much water into the glass, in as little time as possible. (warning: make sure you don't have a ton of napkins around... They'll just soak everything up and throw it in the glass)
1x145 Bad Ass Origami Magic with Adorian Deck!
December 22, 2010 12:00 pm
Brian scams YouTube sensation Adorian Deck with his math and origami mastery!
The effect: by thinking of a random number and doing some more randomizing, your friend will think of a totally random animal, which he will keep secret from you.
Behind your back, you start folding a bill into an animal origami shape, trying to guess the animal they're thinking of. Amazingly, not only do you fold it into a perfect origami animal, but it perfectly matches the animal they're thinking of!
The effect: by thinking of a random number and doing some more randomizing, your friend will think of a totally random animal, which he will keep secret from you.
Behind your back, you start folding a bill into an animal origami shape, trying to guess the animal they're thinking of. Amazingly, not only do you fold it into a perfect origami animal, but it perfectly matches the animal they're thinking of!
1x146 We Discover the Dark Lord of the Scam!
December 29, 2010 12:00 pm
This week we've got two easy tricks guaranteed to get a reaction from your friends:
WARNING: both of these involve fire, so be CERTAIN to take proper safety precautions!
Straw Rocket: Take a bottle of tequila, gin, or vodka, and leave only about a half teaspoon of alcohol in the bottom. Seal the bottle and heat it up (for example, in a dishwasher). SLOWLY open the cap and insert a straw that's been cross-pierced with a toothpick (as seen in the episode). finally, drop in a match and... WHIPOW!!! Instant straw rocket!
Napkin Rocket: This one's super simple... fold a napkin into four vertical segments, and "roll" it into a triangular tube. Set this tube up vertically on the table and light it from the top on all 3 sides. After it burns down to the bottom, the rising hot air will cause all the ashes to rise 10-15 feet toward the ceiling!
WARNING: both of these involve fire, so be CERTAIN to take proper safety precautions!
Straw Rocket: Take a bottle of tequila, gin, or vodka, and leave only about a half teaspoon of alcohol in the bottom. Seal the bottle and heat it up (for example, in a dishwasher). SLOWLY open the cap and insert a straw that's been cross-pierced with a toothpick (as seen in the episode). finally, drop in a match and... WHIPOW!!! Instant straw rocket!
Napkin Rocket: This one's super simple... fold a napkin into four vertical segments, and "roll" it into a triangular tube. Set this tube up vertically on the table and light it from the top on all 3 sides. After it burns down to the bottom, the rising hot air will cause all the ashes to rise 10-15 feet toward the ceiling!
1x147 Scam Hot Redheads!
January 6, 2011 12:00 pm
Here's a trick you can do anywhere, with anything! - The Criss-Cross.
This week we've got one of the most versatile puzzles we've ever shown: The Criss-Cross. All you need are six... things. These things could be coasters, matchbooks, iguanas, whatever.
The Puzzle: Designate 7 spots on the table. Put 3 of your things (we used matchbooks) on the far left 3 spots. Put the other 3 things (we used sweetener packets) on the far right spots. The goal is to get all 3 of the matchbooks to the far right, and all 3 of the packets to the far left. Thus, Chris-Cross. The Rules:
This week we've got one of the most versatile puzzles we've ever shown: The Criss-Cross. All you need are six... things. These things could be coasters, matchbooks, iguanas, whatever.
The Puzzle: Designate 7 spots on the table. Put 3 of your things (we used matchbooks) on the far left 3 spots. Put the other 3 things (we used sweetener packets) on the far right spots. The goal is to get all 3 of the matchbooks to the far right, and all 3 of the packets to the far left. Thus, Chris-Cross. The Rules:
1x148 Cut With Confidence
January 12, 2011 12:00 pm
This card trick is seriously addictive!
The trick: have your mark pick a card. Shuffle the deck, and have them cut the deck into three piles. Show them the bottom card on each pile and put it on the table face down. Tell them that they did not cut to their card. The bottom card on the 3rd pile will be their card, but don't let them tell you that it is. Ask them to pick a number between 1 and ten. Bet them that their card will be that number of cards from the bottom of the deck. Since they know that their card is on the table and not in the deckl, they'll take the bet. Then count out cards and show them that the card that they picked has somehow ended up back in the deck.
The trick: have your mark pick a card. Shuffle the deck, and have them cut the deck into three piles. Show them the bottom card on each pile and put it on the table face down. Tell them that they did not cut to their card. The bottom card on the 3rd pile will be their card, but don't let them tell you that it is. Ask them to pick a number between 1 and ten. Bet them that their card will be that number of cards from the bottom of the deck. Since they know that their card is on the table and not in the deckl, they'll take the bet. Then count out cards and show them that the card that they picked has somehow ended up back in the deck.
1x149 The Soulbreaker
January 20, 2011 12:00 pm
Puzzle The First: Starting from 100, get CAT by moving only two matchsticks.
Puzzle The Second: Split a very unsymmetrical shape into two equal halves using one continuous (though not necessarily straight) line. This one broke Brian's soul, so you'll have to watch the video for the oh-so-simple answer.
Puzzle The Second: Split a very unsymmetrical shape into two equal halves using one continuous (though not necessarily straight) line. This one broke Brian's soul, so you'll have to watch the video for the oh-so-simple answer.
1x150 Win BIG $$$ at Darts
January 26, 2011 12:00 pm
Suck at darts? you can still make BANK with this simple scam.
Here's the scam: Pin a $20 to the dartboard, and offer it to whomever can hit it 3 times following your simple rules. The first toss must be from the line. The second toss must be from one step in front of the line. The third toss must be from one step behind the line. Charge a buck a turn. Watch the Washingtons roll in as your trusting dupes fail over and over at this deceptively hard challenge. Eventually, odds are that someone will win the twenty, but we're betting that you'll be well in the black by then.
Here's the scam: Pin a $20 to the dartboard, and offer it to whomever can hit it 3 times following your simple rules. The first toss must be from the line. The second toss must be from one step in front of the line. The third toss must be from one step behind the line. Charge a buck a turn. Watch the Washingtons roll in as your trusting dupes fail over and over at this deceptively hard challenge. Eventually, odds are that someone will win the twenty, but we're betting that you'll be well in the black by then.
1x151 Bondage for Fun and Profit!
February 2, 2011 12:00 pm
Here's the scam: get two marks. Tie the first one's wrists together manacle-style with a rope. Tie their wrists loosely "for their comfort," but tell them they can't take the rope off their wrists. Tie the second mark's wrists together, linking his rope with the first one's. Challenge them to unlink themselves without untying the ropes.
With any luck, your marks will try all sorts of Twister-style moves to get themselves unhitched. With a little more luck, a large crowd will gather and laugh at their tomfoolery. Bonus points awarded if someone videos it and uploads it to Youtube.
With any luck, your marks will try all sorts of Twister-style moves to get themselves unhitched. With a little more luck, a large crowd will gather and laugh at their tomfoolery. Bonus points awarded if someone videos it and uploads it to Youtube.
1x152 A Guaranteed No-lose Card Trick
February 9, 2011 12:00 pm
How to scam anyone with this card trick based on a simple mathematical principle.
1x153 Mind-Blowing iPhone Calculator Trick
February 16, 2011 12:00 pm
Got a friend with an iPhone? Here's how to scam an easy free drink off them.
This week's trick caomes to us all the way from Argentina! It's a simple yet baffling trick you can play on anyone who has an iPhone or an Android phone. First, write down a prediction. Then as your marks for a string of numbers: their birthdate, address, dress size, anything numeric. Multiply them all together. Hit equals, and show them the result. Then show them your prediction: the very same number. Baffling!
This week's trick caomes to us all the way from Argentina! It's a simple yet baffling trick you can play on anyone who has an iPhone or an Android phone. First, write down a prediction. Then as your marks for a string of numbers: their birthdate, address, dress size, anything numeric. Multiply them all together. Hit equals, and show them the result. Then show them your prediction: the very same number. Baffling!
1x154 Epic Power Band Scam!
February 23, 2011 12:00 pm
Watch this before you buy one of those "power bands" you see on latenight infomercials.
Those special power bands you see in latenight infomercials and on the wrists of sports stars everywhere? Well, we can't say for sure that they don't work. Mostly because we don't enjoy getting sued. But we have some fake placebo bands that we put through some tests, and you know what we found? They work just as well as the real deal. Dan 3.0's Dan Brown joins us on this expedition of science, my6stery, and drunk people falling down.
Those special power bands you see in latenight infomercials and on the wrists of sports stars everywhere? Well, we can't say for sure that they don't work. Mostly because we don't enjoy getting sued. But we have some fake placebo bands that we put through some tests, and you know what we found? They work just as well as the real deal. Dan 3.0's Dan Brown joins us on this expedition of science, my6stery, and drunk people falling down.
1x155 The Impossible Puzzle
March 2, 2011 12:00 pm
Brian takes on Dan Brown in an impossible challenge. Impossible unless you have a tasty kosher snack handy.
Dan Brown joins us once again to try to solve an impossible puzzle. The puzzle: Supply 3 "houses" on a 2-dimensional surface with 3 "utilities." Houses 1, 2, and 3 must all get power, gas, and water without crossing any lines. On paper, this looks impossible. And guess what? It is!
Dan Brown joins us once again to try to solve an impossible puzzle. The puzzle: Supply 3 "houses" on a 2-dimensional surface with 3 "utilities." Houses 1, 2, and 3 must all get power, gas, and water without crossing any lines. On paper, this looks impossible. And guess what? It is!
1x156 Memorize a Card Deck in SECONDS!
March 9, 2011 12:00 pm
Learn how to fool even the toughest audience with this easy "memorization" trick.
At first, this one looks like the same old "pick a card, any card" key card scam you've seen before on Scam School. Your mark picks a card, looks at it, and puts it back, and cuts the deck. Then you look at the whole deck, "memorizing" it in a mere 10 seconds. At this point, ask the mark to move his card somewhere else in the deck. Then you shuffle the deck, which means it couldn't possibly be a key card trick! Unless...
At first, this one looks like the same old "pick a card, any card" key card scam you've seen before on Scam School. Your mark picks a card, looks at it, and puts it back, and cuts the deck. Then you look at the whole deck, "memorizing" it in a mere 10 seconds. At this point, ask the mark to move his card somewhere else in the deck. Then you shuffle the deck, which means it couldn't possibly be a key card trick! Unless...
1x157 Three Classic Scams: Improved!
March 16, 2011 12:00 pm
This week we have a three, count 'em three tricks for the price of one. And they are all better than anything we've done before. In fact, they are new and improved versions of some of the best tricks we've ever shown.
First, we have The Static Shot. A viewer wrote in to tell us that this amazing feat is possible even when your shot is blocked by a pint of beer!
Next up, The Jack-O-Lantern. A particularly evil viewer suggested doing this trick as a contest. Without telling your mark how it's done. Ouch!
And finally, The Hot Seat. Add some appearing ink to this disappearing ink trick for added applause!
First, we have The Static Shot. A viewer wrote in to tell us that this amazing feat is possible even when your shot is blocked by a pint of beer!
Next up, The Jack-O-Lantern. A particularly evil viewer suggested doing this trick as a contest. Without telling your mark how it's done. Ouch!
And finally, The Hot Seat. Add some appearing ink to this disappearing ink trick for added applause!
1x158 Impossible Knot
March 23, 2011 12:00 pm
It is a well known fact in high-end theoretical topology that you cannot tie a knot in a rope without letting go of one end at some point. But don't let those high-falutin' topologists tell YOU what you can and cannot do! With this simple trick, learn to simulate a perfect overhead knot with a few simple maneuvers... and a bit of cheating.
1x159 Can YOU solve The Petals Around the Rose?
March 30, 2011 12:00 pm
There exists in this world a secret order, a legendary group of intellectuals and savants known as the Potentates of the Rose. Their ways are shrouded in mystery. All that we can know for sure is that they know something you don't know. And for once, we're not going to spoil it for you. Watch the video and figure it out for yourself. Cheaters will be stoned.
1x160 Dimes in a Shotglass
April 6, 2011 12:00 pm
This week, we have two family-friendly gags. For the first, we challenge our marks to guess how many dimes can fit in a shotglass full of water. Hint: it's way more than you'd think.
Our second gag definitely won't win you any free beer, but it might work as a pick-up line. Take a dollar bill and fold it down the center of George Washington's face. Then make vertical folds at the corners of his mouth. if you look at it from the right angles, George will either frown or smile.
Our second gag definitely won't win you any free beer, but it might work as a pick-up line. Take a dollar bill and fold it down the center of George Washington's face. Then make vertical folds at the corners of his mouth. if you look at it from the right angles, George will either frown or smile.
1x161 UNBEATABLE Number Puzzles
April 13, 2011 12:00 pm
Hate math? You'll hate it even more after you try to solve these impossible puzzles!
This week, we have 3 unbeatable math puzzles... that don't involve math! Well, maybe just a little math.
-Puzzle the first: Add one, and only one, line to the equation 5+5+5=550 and make it true.
-Question B: Use one number 3 times to add up to 60. The solution CANNOT be 20+20+20=60.
-The last one: Make a true statement using the following numbers and symbols once and only once: 2, 3, 4, 5, +, =
Assignments are due at the end of class. Please show your work.
This week, we have 3 unbeatable math puzzles... that don't involve math! Well, maybe just a little math.
-Puzzle the first: Add one, and only one, line to the equation 5+5+5=550 and make it true.
-Question B: Use one number 3 times to add up to 60. The solution CANNOT be 20+20+20=60.
-The last one: Make a true statement using the following numbers and symbols once and only once: 2, 3, 4, 5, +, =
Assignments are due at the end of class. Please show your work.
1x162 Smoke! Fire! Knives! Marked Cards!
April 20, 2011 12:00 pm
Two classic scams made EVEN BETTER! Plus: toxic smoke!
This week, we take the wayback machine all the way back to The very first episode of Scam School 3 years ago to re-examine The Human Chimney. Ah, to be young again and able to huff toxic match fumes without a care in the world. What could be better? Our friend Daniel Garcia has a suggestion: pair The Human Chimney with a great trick called The Homking match for a truly mind-blowing effect.
Jumping forward a year and a half, in our Ultimate Card Cheat episode, we said it was possible to make an opened deck look like it was never opened. But did we show you how? No, that would be too easy! Finally, here are the simple instructions on how to re-seal a deck without anyone being the wiser.
This week, we take the wayback machine all the way back to The very first episode of Scam School 3 years ago to re-examine The Human Chimney. Ah, to be young again and able to huff toxic match fumes without a care in the world. What could be better? Our friend Daniel Garcia has a suggestion: pair The Human Chimney with a great trick called The Homking match for a truly mind-blowing effect.
Jumping forward a year and a half, in our Ultimate Card Cheat episode, we said it was possible to make an opened deck look like it was never opened. But did we show you how? No, that would be too easy! Finally, here are the simple instructions on how to re-seal a deck without anyone being the wiser.
1x163 Brian performs Live at Stubb's Bar-B-Q at SXSW!
April 28, 2011 12:00 pm
LIVE! at Stubb's Bar-B-Q for SXSW 2011, Brian performs his infamous nail-in-the-eye trick, smashes a concrete block over his head, proves that time travel is possible, and breaks not one, not two, but THREE World Records!
1x164 Another AMAZING Pi Day Trick
May 4, 2011 12:00 pm
What's better than card tricks and math? Card tricks, math, and free beer! Check out today's episode for another amazing trick from Brian.
Friend of the show and amazing mathematician James Grime has given us another incredible Pi Day trick: The Fitch-Cheney Five Card trick. For this one, you and a friend can astound others by using four cards to guess a fifth card. Can you figure out the secret?
Friend of the show and amazing mathematician James Grime has given us another incredible Pi Day trick: The Fitch-Cheney Five Card trick. For this one, you and a friend can astound others by using four cards to guess a fifth card. Can you figure out the secret?
1x165 10 Coins x 4 Rows = Beer!
May 11, 2011 12:00 pm
This week we show you how to make 4 rows of 10 coins add up to some serious mental perturbation. Use this trick right, and you will:
A.) Convince your friends that you are a sleight of hand master.
B.) Use the power of math for sinister purposes.
C.) Have people begging to give you free beer just to know how you did it.
This trick may be a little confusing at first, but watch the show a couple of times, practice for a bit, and in no tome you will be able to watch your friends' brains oozing out their ears in befuddlement
A.) Convince your friends that you are a sleight of hand master.
B.) Use the power of math for sinister purposes.
C.) Have people begging to give you free beer just to know how you did it.
This trick may be a little confusing at first, but watch the show a couple of times, practice for a bit, and in no tome you will be able to watch your friends' brains oozing out their ears in befuddlement
1x166 Casting Out 10s
May 18, 2011 12:00 pm
Have you always wanted crazy Rain Man math skills, without the annoying People's Court fetishization that comes with it? This week, we teach you a card trick that will make your friends think that you are a card-counting genius! Definitely a genius.
Shuffle the deck, and deal out two cards face down, one for you and one for your mark. Tell them to open their mind as you quickly run through the remaining cards. Let them try to guess your card. Look at your card, and give them one more quick peek at the other cards. In just those two quick peeks, you can easily determine what their card must be. Alcohol-induced autism? Nope, it's just simple arithmetic. Watch the show to find out the solution!
Shuffle the deck, and deal out two cards face down, one for you and one for your mark. Tell them to open their mind as you quickly run through the remaining cards. Let them try to guess your card. Look at your card, and give them one more quick peek at the other cards. In just those two quick peeks, you can easily determine what their card must be. Alcohol-induced autism? Nope, it's just simple arithmetic. Watch the show to find out the solution!
1x167 2 Pints and a $20
May 25, 2011 12:00 pm
Can you solve the mystery of the Soggy $20?
This week, we have two tricks, both of them involving potential inundation.
Trick 1: A $20 bill, stuck in two glasses of water, one on top of the other. It's all yours, if you can get it out without spilling the water.
Trick 2: Once you have the $20 out, remove the water from one of the glasses, WITHOUT touching the glasses.
This week, we have two tricks, both of them involving potential inundation.
Trick 1: A $20 bill, stuck in two glasses of water, one on top of the other. It's all yours, if you can get it out without spilling the water.
Trick 2: Once you have the $20 out, remove the water from one of the glasses, WITHOUT touching the glasses.
1x168 Miss Guess Through the Deck
June 1, 2011 12:00 pm
Can you guess WRONG all the way through the deck?
This week, a probability conundrum: if you go through the whole deck guessing what card will be next, will you be wrong or right more often? Obviously, you have a better chance of being wrong. But how much better chance? Could you go through the the whole deck without guessing right once? The odds might shock you!
This week, a probability conundrum: if you go through the whole deck guessing what card will be next, will you be wrong or right more often? Obviously, you have a better chance of being wrong. But how much better chance? Could you go through the the whole deck without guessing right once? The odds might shock you!
1x169 AMAZING 2 Card Prediction trick
June 8, 2011 12:00 pm
Can YOU figure out the secret behind this trick? It looks like sleight of hand, but look again!
This week, we teach you how to predict not one, but TWO cards at once. Is it sleight of hand? No. Darkest black magic? No. Cunning card manipulation? Maaaaybe... Plus, a bonus coin trick!
This week, we teach you how to predict not one, but TWO cards at once. Is it sleight of hand? No. Darkest black magic? No. Cunning card manipulation? Maaaaybe... Plus, a bonus coin trick!
1x170 Look Like a Mathlete - It's MATHEMAGIC!
June 15, 2011 12:00 pm
Fool your friends into thinking you're a math whiz! With this simple trick, you can add up 10 numbers in your head way faster than a calculator.
FAKE looking like you're SMART!
This week you're going to look like you're brilliant, when in fact you're nothing but a big, fat liar.
Let's get started!
THE SETUP: Have your friend pick two one-digit numbers, and write them above each other at the top of the page. Have them add up those numbers and write the sum underneath. Now add up the 2nd and 3rd number to get a 4th, and so on until you have a list of 10 numbers (none of which you could have known in advance).
THE CHALLENGE: He's armed with a calculator, and you're armed with nothing but your mind. Propose a race. Whoever can add up the numbers fastest gets a free beer. Imagine your friend's surprise when you get an answer almost instantly, SMOKING him in the challenge!
FAKE looking like you're SMART!
This week you're going to look like you're brilliant, when in fact you're nothing but a big, fat liar.
Let's get started!
THE SETUP: Have your friend pick two one-digit numbers, and write them above each other at the top of the page. Have them add up those numbers and write the sum underneath. Now add up the 2nd and 3rd number to get a 4th, and so on until you have a list of 10 numbers (none of which you could have known in advance).
THE CHALLENGE: He's armed with a calculator, and you're armed with nothing but your mind. Propose a race. Whoever can add up the numbers fastest gets a free beer. Imagine your friend's surprise when you get an answer almost instantly, SMOKING him in the challenge!
1x171 How to Cheat and Win a Drinking Race
June 22, 2011 12:00 pm
Challenge your friends to a drinking race you're guaranteed to win. It's all about physics, man!
-The Setup: grab a couple of bottles of beer (or soda) and a bendy straw that's at least as tall as your bottle. Set pint glasses next to them and set up the following challenge!
-The Challenge: without moving the bottles (imagine they're glued to the table), the object is to be first to get all the beer from your bottle into the pint glass, and you *must* use the straw.
-The Setup: grab a couple of bottles of beer (or soda) and a bendy straw that's at least as tall as your bottle. Set pint glasses next to them and set up the following challenge!
-The Challenge: without moving the bottles (imagine they're glued to the table), the object is to be first to get all the beer from your bottle into the pint glass, and you *must* use the straw.
1x172 Your Mind Playing Tricks on You
June 29, 2011 12:00 pm
Think you have a good memory? Put your brain to the test with this psychology experiment. Listen to 24 sentences read out loud to you, then see if you can correctly remember what you heard.
1x173 Crazy Coin Illusions!
July 6, 2011 12:00 pm
Try to figure out how high a stack of quarters is by just eyeballing it. It's a guessing game that fools them all! Bonus trick: how many drops of water can you fit on a nickel?
This week we've got two ingeniously simple scams, both of which take advantage of awesome and strange gaps in our perception:
For the first one, stack 10 quarters and place them on some kind of pedestal (like your cell phone). Then in front of them on the table, place (in order) a 50-cent piece, a quarter, a nickel, a penny, and a dime. Ask your mark which coin, when placed on its side, will be as tall as the stack of quarters.
For your next scam, grab the nickel from scam #1 and ask them "how many drops of water can I place on this nickel before the water overflows?"
This week we've got two ingeniously simple scams, both of which take advantage of awesome and strange gaps in our perception:
For the first one, stack 10 quarters and place them on some kind of pedestal (like your cell phone). Then in front of them on the table, place (in order) a 50-cent piece, a quarter, a nickel, a penny, and a dime. Ask your mark which coin, when placed on its side, will be as tall as the stack of quarters.
For your next scam, grab the nickel from scam #1 and ask them "how many drops of water can I place on this nickel before the water overflows?"
1x174 The Indestructable Dollar
July 13, 2011 12:00 pm
This week we're joined by total badass Rich Ferguson (creator of the awesome iPhone calculator trick in episode 153) with an unbelievable trick you can do anytime, anywhere... even surrounded!
The Setup: Grab a business card, playing card, or coaster and fold it in half. Place a bill from your wallet inside, pulling the outer flap down. Finally, place a pen, knife, or any other stabby implement in the center of the bill.
The Trick: Have your friend stab the pen down, all the way through the bill and card... pull it though and show the hole right through the middle of the bill and card. Finally: open up the card to show the bill totally restored, while the card remains torn!
The Setup: Grab a business card, playing card, or coaster and fold it in half. Place a bill from your wallet inside, pulling the outer flap down. Finally, place a pen, knife, or any other stabby implement in the center of the bill.
The Trick: Have your friend stab the pen down, all the way through the bill and card... pull it though and show the hole right through the middle of the bill and card. Finally: open up the card to show the bill totally restored, while the card remains torn!
1x175 Stuff It, Brian!
July 20, 2011 12:00 pm
Watch Brian go from scammer to "scam-ee" as his pals Andrew Mayne and Justin Robert Young try to predict how many cocktail napkins he can stuff in his piehole.
This week special guests Andrew Mayne and Justin Robert Young of the Weird Things podcast join us with a killer 2-for-1 trick. Not only do you get to punk your friends, but you'll totally fool them as well!
Setup: challenge your friend to stuff as many napkins in his mouth as possible (while still being safe). Before they begin, promise you're going to make a prediction of what the final number will be by sending your friend a text (which they can verify has arrived either by tone or vibration). With their phone still face down, let them run wild and stuff as many as they can...
Effect: ...when they finally run out of steam, take note of how many napkins they ended up with and then reveal your texted prediction: "You will have a very dry mouth." They'll probably be pissed and feel like a fool, but their annoyance will turn to amazement when you turn over the very next napkin to reveal a handwritten prediction "you will stop on number 27"...the exact number they stopped on!
This week special guests Andrew Mayne and Justin Robert Young of the Weird Things podcast join us with a killer 2-for-1 trick. Not only do you get to punk your friends, but you'll totally fool them as well!
Setup: challenge your friend to stuff as many napkins in his mouth as possible (while still being safe). Before they begin, promise you're going to make a prediction of what the final number will be by sending your friend a text (which they can verify has arrived either by tone or vibration). With their phone still face down, let them run wild and stuff as many as they can...
Effect: ...when they finally run out of steam, take note of how many napkins they ended up with and then reveal your texted prediction: "You will have a very dry mouth." They'll probably be pissed and feel like a fool, but their annoyance will turn to amazement when you turn over the very next napkin to reveal a handwritten prediction "you will stop on number 27"...the exact number they stopped on!
1x176 Read FIVE MINDS at Once!
July 27, 2011 12:00 pm
How do you dupe five people into thinking you can read their minds? By correctly guessing which card they've MENTALLY chosen! Watch and learn...
This week we have an amazing 5-way miracle from MisMag822 on YouTube! Make sure to check out his new website: thecardtrickteacher.com.
Effect: a pack of shuffled cards is dealt into 5 poker hands. Each player shuffles up their cards and mentally selects one of them. As the cards are returned, they're shuffled together, then re-dealt into five face up hands. Each player then picks up a hand containing their mentally-chosen card, yet our scam-artist correctly guesses EACH of their mentally chosen cards!
This week we have an amazing 5-way miracle from MisMag822 on YouTube! Make sure to check out his new website: thecardtrickteacher.com.
Effect: a pack of shuffled cards is dealt into 5 poker hands. Each player shuffles up their cards and mentally selects one of them. As the cards are returned, they're shuffled together, then re-dealt into five face up hands. Each player then picks up a hand containing their mentally-chosen card, yet our scam-artist correctly guesses EACH of their mentally chosen cards!
1x177 How to CHEAT and Be a Lie Detector!
August 3, 2011 12:00 pm
Can you guess what card your friend picked out of a deck by putting them through a bizarre interrogation? Maybe - or you can try this much easier and much more devious method!
The Setup:
Couldn't be simpler. A borrowed deck of cards is totally shuffled, and a random card is selected. There's no marked cards, no forces, and the sucker truly does have a free choice of their card. Next, you begin asking a series of questions about their card, about which they can choose to lie or tell the truth... amazingly, it doesn't matter what they say, as you're ALWAYS able to tell when they're lying!
The Setup:
Couldn't be simpler. A borrowed deck of cards is totally shuffled, and a random card is selected. There's no marked cards, no forces, and the sucker truly does have a free choice of their card. Next, you begin asking a series of questions about their card, about which they can choose to lie or tell the truth... amazingly, it doesn't matter what they say, as you're ALWAYS able to tell when they're lying!
1x178 How to Catch a Thief!
August 10, 2011 12:00 pm
Brian scams the Hak5 crew! Watch them learn this classic trick where three objects are stolen and three thieves are rightfully accused.
The Setup:
Grab 3 random friends and 3 random objects (we'll refer to the random objects as A, B, and C here). Dump out a container of exactly 24 Tic Tacs, matches, or coins (it's important that you have exactly 24 counters, but it's equally important that you act like you don't even know or care how many there are). Next, pass out a few of the Tic Tacs so one of your players has 1, one has 2, and one has 3. Next, turn your back and ask that each of your players "steal" one object and hide it somewhere you won't find it.
The Setup:
Grab 3 random friends and 3 random objects (we'll refer to the random objects as A, B, and C here). Dump out a container of exactly 24 Tic Tacs, matches, or coins (it's important that you have exactly 24 counters, but it's equally important that you act like you don't even know or care how many there are). Next, pass out a few of the Tic Tacs so one of your players has 1, one has 2, and one has 3. Next, turn your back and ask that each of your players "steal" one object and hide it somewhere you won't find it.
1x179 The Ultimate Magician Fooler
August 17, 2011 12:00 pm
The Ice Breaker himself - aka Rich Ferguson - is back with a card trick that even fooled Brian!
This week Rich Ferguson is back with a KILLER card trick, guaranteed to melt the brains of even talented magicians... and the best part? It takes no sleight-of-hand skills, whatsoever!
The Setup:
Start by pulling out all the 6's and 7's from your deck, and set up the top of the deck so that every other card is a 6 or a 7. Have your friend cut the cards into two piles. Spread the bottom pile and ask him to choose any card. As you spread through, count off six cards and keep them in your right hand. Wherever they pick their card from, make sure it's returned in the gap underneath the six cards in your right hand (so it's 7th from the top).
Square up the cards in this pack, and have your friend sit on them... here's the part where it gets good.
Pick up the top half of the deck, and begin to deal face down, one card at a time. Let your friend tell you to stop any time he or she likes. Now here's the important part: as you deal down, keep track of whether the card you're setting down is a random card (nope), or a 6 or 7 (yep). ...This should be easy to do since every other card is a 6 or 7.
This week Rich Ferguson is back with a KILLER card trick, guaranteed to melt the brains of even talented magicians... and the best part? It takes no sleight-of-hand skills, whatsoever!
The Setup:
Start by pulling out all the 6's and 7's from your deck, and set up the top of the deck so that every other card is a 6 or a 7. Have your friend cut the cards into two piles. Spread the bottom pile and ask him to choose any card. As you spread through, count off six cards and keep them in your right hand. Wherever they pick their card from, make sure it's returned in the gap underneath the six cards in your right hand (so it's 7th from the top).
Square up the cards in this pack, and have your friend sit on them... here's the part where it gets good.
Pick up the top half of the deck, and begin to deal face down, one card at a time. Let your friend tell you to stop any time he or she likes. Now here's the important part: as you deal down, keep track of whether the card you're setting down is a random card (nope), or a 6 or 7 (yep). ...This should be easy to do since every other card is a 6 or 7.
1x180 Use an iPhone to Teleport an Object!
August 24, 2011 12:00 pm
Brian's "Weird Things" podcast cohort Andrew Mayne is back with the sweetest trick - how to make sugar disappear before your very eyes and then REappear on your iPhone.
This week we're back with Andrew Mayne and Justin Robert Young of the WeirdThings.com podcast, with a quick-and-dirty way to use your iPhone to make objects vanish from inside your hands. The setup couldn't be simpler, and the phone plays an integral part in really selling the trick!
This week we're back with Andrew Mayne and Justin Robert Young of the WeirdThings.com podcast, with a quick-and-dirty way to use your iPhone to make objects vanish from inside your hands. The setup couldn't be simpler, and the phone plays an integral part in really selling the trick!
1x181 Create an Amazing COINCIDENCE!
August 31, 2011 12:00 pm
Minds will be blown when you orchestrate a crazy, coincidental reveal using matches and a shuffled deck of cards!
This week you create an amazing coincidence -- grab two buddies and have them totally shuffle up a deck of cards. Meanwhile, dump out a matchbox full of matches, a fist-full of coins, tic-tacs, or anything else that can be used as counters... just make sure you have *exactly* 21 of them.
Have your friends divvy up the counters between them (they can have any number of them each, as long as none are left over), then deal out the cards from the shuffled deck in a face-up pile, counting off each card as you go through them (the first card is "one," second card is "two," etc.). By the time you reach the mid-twenties, each of them should have a card that corresponds to the number they picked earlier. THAT's the card each of them need to remember.
Finally, scoop up the face-up cards and place them back on the deck. Run off 10 cards and place them in your left hand, then cut the remaining cards in your right hand into two piles on the table. Place the 10 run-off cards on top of the bottom half.
Now: tell each of your volunteers to watch for their card, as you flip over the two top cards of each pile simultaneously, one at a time. If you've followed the directions correctly, no matter what number or card they picked, both of their hands will shoot up at the same time, as both of their cards are turned over simultaneously!
This week you create an amazing coincidence -- grab two buddies and have them totally shuffle up a deck of cards. Meanwhile, dump out a matchbox full of matches, a fist-full of coins, tic-tacs, or anything else that can be used as counters... just make sure you have *exactly* 21 of them.
Have your friends divvy up the counters between them (they can have any number of them each, as long as none are left over), then deal out the cards from the shuffled deck in a face-up pile, counting off each card as you go through them (the first card is "one," second card is "two," etc.). By the time you reach the mid-twenties, each of them should have a card that corresponds to the number they picked earlier. THAT's the card each of them need to remember.
Finally, scoop up the face-up cards and place them back on the deck. Run off 10 cards and place them in your left hand, then cut the remaining cards in your right hand into two piles on the table. Place the 10 run-off cards on top of the bottom half.
Now: tell each of your volunteers to watch for their card, as you flip over the two top cards of each pile simultaneously, one at a time. If you've followed the directions correctly, no matter what number or card they picked, both of their hands will shoot up at the same time, as both of their cards are turned over simultaneously!
1x182 BUST 'em in a Lie
September 7, 2011 12:00 pm
Figure out who stole your cash with the simplest interrogation ever!
Trap a liar!
Read minds to catch a thief.
This week we have an unbelievable logic trap that comes from the genius mind of one of the worlds leading mentalists, Banachek. In this incredible game, both players can lie or tell the truth... Yet just by asking two simple questions, you'll be able to figure out who is who.... And who stole your 20 bucks!
Trap a liar!
Read minds to catch a thief.
This week we have an unbelievable logic trap that comes from the genius mind of one of the worlds leading mentalists, Banachek. In this incredible game, both players can lie or tell the truth... Yet just by asking two simple questions, you'll be able to figure out who is who.... And who stole your 20 bucks!
1x183 Break Through a Toothpick... Without Breaking It!
September 14, 2011 12:00 pm
Rich Ferguson is back with two more gems from his bag o' tricks! All you need is some toothpicks, a playing card and a pair of scissors to blow your friends' minds!
This week we're back with Rich Ferguson and more bar tricks from his book "Tricks to Pick up Chicks." You'll learn not only how to pass two matchsticks through each other, but an impossible-sounding trick with the simplest props! Make sure to visit Rich at www.theicebreaker.com to get his book and learn more.
This week we're back with Rich Ferguson and more bar tricks from his book "Tricks to Pick up Chicks." You'll learn not only how to pass two matchsticks through each other, but an impossible-sounding trick with the simplest props! Make sure to visit Rich at www.theicebreaker.com to get his book and learn more.
1x184 Classic Sleight of Hand Card Trick!
September 21, 2011 12:00 pm
What's Brian's second favorite card trick of all time? Watch and learn!
1x185 Really Hard or IMPOSSIBLE? You Decide!
September 28, 2011 12:00 pm
Two brainteasers -- one diabolically simple, the other mathematically impossible.
This week we've got 2 puzzles that are PERFECT to take down your most competitive friends. One of them is really, really hard, and the other is simply IMPOSSIBLE. The best part: they won't know which one is which! Check out this week's video, and take the challenge: after you learn the puzzle, press pause and take on Brian... see if you can figure out which is the impossible puzzle, and how to solve the other one.
This week we've got 2 puzzles that are PERFECT to take down your most competitive friends. One of them is really, really hard, and the other is simply IMPOSSIBLE. The best part: they won't know which one is which! Check out this week's video, and take the challenge: after you learn the puzzle, press pause and take on Brian... see if you can figure out which is the impossible puzzle, and how to solve the other one.
1x186 Probability Laws Get You Free Drinks!
October 5, 2011 12:00 pm
Belly up to the bar with your smartphone at the ready! In this episode, Brian is joined by Hak5's Shannon Morse, as he shows you how an obscure statistical principle can be used to score free drinks!
1x187 Viewer Submitted Tricks Put to the Test (1)
October 12, 2011 12:00 pm
Brian gets tons of trick submissions every week, but are they any good? Find out as he performs a few of them before a panel of judges, including Tekzilla's Veronica Belmont. Tune in next week for Part 2!
In this episode, we get 5 tricks for the price of 1! And all of them were submitted by Scam School viewers. Try these out on your friends and let us know what you think.
Tricks 1 & 2: These might be fun to try simultaneously. First, grab an ordinary wooden kitchen match and place it just beyond the first joint of your index, middle and ring fingers (middle finger on top, and the index and ring fingers below the match). Try to break it using ONLY the strength of these 3 fingers - no leverage alllowed! Second, grab a rubber band and stretch it over just your pinky and index fingers and try to get it off your hand WITHOUT using your thumb or rubbing it on anything else.
Trick 3: Grab 9 notecards and write the letters I, E, G, P, E, C, Y, A, and T on them. Try to spell three words horizontally and three words vertically using only those letters. Give your friends a time limit of 5 minutes to solve the puzzle.
Trick 4: Grab 7 notecards and write the numbers 1 - 7 on them. Arrange the numbers so they add up to 12 horizontally, vertically and diagonally. Again, set up the challenge with a time limit.
Trick 5: Using 10 sugar packets, try to arrange them into 5 rows of 4 packets each. See how long it takes for friends to solve this one!
In this episode, we get 5 tricks for the price of 1! And all of them were submitted by Scam School viewers. Try these out on your friends and let us know what you think.
Tricks 1 & 2: These might be fun to try simultaneously. First, grab an ordinary wooden kitchen match and place it just beyond the first joint of your index, middle and ring fingers (middle finger on top, and the index and ring fingers below the match). Try to break it using ONLY the strength of these 3 fingers - no leverage alllowed! Second, grab a rubber band and stretch it over just your pinky and index fingers and try to get it off your hand WITHOUT using your thumb or rubbing it on anything else.
Trick 3: Grab 9 notecards and write the letters I, E, G, P, E, C, Y, A, and T on them. Try to spell three words horizontally and three words vertically using only those letters. Give your friends a time limit of 5 minutes to solve the puzzle.
Trick 4: Grab 7 notecards and write the numbers 1 - 7 on them. Arrange the numbers so they add up to 12 horizontally, vertically and diagonally. Again, set up the challenge with a time limit.
Trick 5: Using 10 sugar packets, try to arrange them into 5 rows of 4 packets each. See how long it takes for friends to solve this one!
1x188 Viewer Submitted Tricks Put to the Test (2)
October 19, 2011 12:00 pm
This week, it's more viewer-submitted Scam School ideas! Join Brian Brushwood, Tekzilla's Veronica Belmont and Brett Rounsaville as they continue to find out which scams make the cut.
1x189 The Card Trick You Can't Screw Up!
October 26, 2011 12:00 pm
Get ready to impress your friends! This week's trick requires no sleight of hand, elaborate math-magicry or fancy moves. It's so easy, it even fools the performer! Watch Brian and learn.
1x190 Guess the Right Number of Cards in a Stack!
November 2, 2011 12:00 pm
You can try to guess how many cards are in a stack based on how thick it is, but there's an even better way to do it. Watch this episode and learn about a clever deck-stacking method used by magicians for centuries!
1x191 Read Minds with Black Magic!
November 9, 2011 12:00 pm
Leave your friends utterly confused and amazed! All you need is a partner in crime and a few random objects to trick them into thinking you possess the power of black magic and the ability to read minds. Plus, a bonus trick that Brian calls "Sticks" - see if you can figure out the rules and the results!
1x192 Fire, Money and a Badass Card Trick!
November 16, 2011 12:00 pm
In this episode, we've got two new tricks to add to your arsenal. The first involves a book of matches that reveals a secret number when burned. The second is a coin puzzle; see if you can divide 10 coins into 3 glasses, with an odd number of coins in each glass. BONUS: a mind-blowing card trick from Brian!
1x193 Mind-Blowing Prediction Game!
November 23, 2011 12:00 pm
With this easy peasy trick, you'll make spot-on predictions every time and fool your friends into thinking you're a mind-reading wizard, when really you're just a dude who's prepared for all the possible outcomes. Watch Brian lay down the basics and see if you can perform this yourself, with your own unique twists!
1x194 The Amazing iCard
November 30, 2011 12:00 pm
How do you make a playing card magically appear out of your iPhone? Watch Brian's buddy and fellow magician, Daniel Garcia, teach Mark Watson this badass trick!
Visit http://revision3.com/scamschool/icard for the tool necessary to pull this trick off.
Visit http://revision3.com/scamschool/icard for the tool necessary to pull this trick off.
1x195 Puzzles Guaranteed to Piss Off Your Friends!
December 7, 2011 12:00 pm
Okay, these are not card tricks. BUT you will need a deck of cards to perform them! First, can you build a house of cards sturdy enough to balance a wine glass full of water? Sounds impossible, but there is a solution! Next, balance a quarter on a card on your index finger. See if you can remove the card from under the quarter (while keeping the quarter balanced on the tip of your finger!) by touching only one edge of the card.
1x196 The Most Epic Chess Scam of All Time!
December 14, 2011 12:00 pm
Brian matches wits with the Stanford Chess Club to put one of his favorite chess scams to the test! It's based on a classic tale where a con man tells a room full of chess players that he'll play each of them simultaneously and manage to win or draw at least half of the the games. Can a Stanford chess whiz pull this off or is it just a theoretical puzzle? Watch and find out!
1x197 How to Get a Beer For a Dollar!
December 21, 2011 12:00 pm
A trick so nice, we did it twice! Blow the minds of your friends when you show them that the cards chosen out of a shuffled deck perfectly MATCH the serial number on a dollar bill! It's super simple to learn this one! Watch two different groups get scam-schooled by Brian's buddy and fellow magician, Daniel Garcia.
1x198 The One-Handed Upside Down Drink Slam!
December 28, 2011 12:00 pm
Here's a gag that will either make you totally bad ass, or totally wet! The challenge: using only one hand and no outside assistance, see if you can drink the water out of an upside down pint glass, spilling no more than 10% of the water inside. Check out Brian's elegant solution, or try to come up with one on your own!
1x199 Awesome Chess Puzzles That'll Fool a Genius!
January 4, 2012 12:00 pm
We're still hung over from celebrating the New Year, so we're taking a break from the bar. This week, Scam School is back in session at one of the martest universities in the country! Watch the Stanford Chess Club take on the "Eight Queens" puzzle.
1x200 Turn Your Phone Into a Mind Reading Tool!
January 11, 2012 12:00 pm
Mark Watson, aka SoldierKnowsBest, is BACK to be scammed once again by Brian and Daniel Garcia! Learn how to rock your friends into thinking you've "programmed" them to think about a specific person or object...
1x201 Lazy Ass Card Trick: They Do The Work, YOU Take the Credit!
January 18, 2012 12:00 pm
Why handle a bunch of cards when you can sit back, drink and let your friends do it all for you? In this episode we learn an awesome card trick where you barely even have to touch the deck.
1x202 Awesome Chess Puzzle: Turn Your Chess Road into a Minesweeper Game!
January 25, 2012 12:00 pm
It's our third and final installment with the Stanford Chess Club. This week, we challenge these geniuses to solve three "Chess Minsesweeper" puzzles.
1x203 Perform a Mental Miracle with Coins!
February 1, 2012 12:00 pm
Our final episode with Daniel Garcia involves a simple yet amazing trick where your friends line up some coins in random order and you predict the order they choose!
1x204 One Badass Cocktail Napkin Origami Trick!
February 8, 2012 12:00 pm
Are you a topology whiz or a total dumbass? Put your brain to the test with these awesome napkin folding puzzles!
1x205 The Amazing Scorched Card Trick
February 15, 2012 12:00 pm
It's another kick-ass trick from the magical mind of Daniel Garcia! In this episode, we use FIRE to find a card in the middle of the deck. Watch and learn.
1x206 Busting Egg Myths!
February 22, 2012 12:00 pm
What you don't know about eggs will blow your mind! Watch Brian and special guest Anthony Carboni of New Challenger test out some common egg myths and misconceptions.
1x207 Super Fun, Super Simple Match Trick!
February 29, 2012 12:00 pm
In this episode we stump our guests with a puzzle that requires the simplest of props! All you need are some matchsticks and either a coin, a paperclip, or in this case, an Altoid.
1x208 Rings, Strings and Newspaper Tricks with Diamond Jim Tyler!
March 7, 2012 12:00 pm
This week we give you the first in a series of episodes guest starring Brian's pal, the award-winning badass magician Diamond Jim Tyler! Be like Diamond Jim and explode your friend's brains with an easy-to-learn newspaper prediction trick.
1x209 Use ESP to Read Invisible Dice!
March 14, 2012 12:00 pm
Diamond Jim Tyler is back with another awesomely simple trick! In this episode, we learn how to figure out what number your friend rolled on a pair of "invisible dice." You'll have to do some basic math, but it's guaranteed to work every time and blow everybody's mind.
1x210 Mind-Blowing Mathematical Puzzles!
March 21, 2012 12:00 pm
This week we've got two good brainteasers. One is tough, but the other is a real stumper! First, see if you can arrange six cigarettes (or pencils, or straws...) in a way so that each one is touch the other five. Next, try the same thing with SEVEN!
1x211 Easy Trick To Get a Girl's Phone Number!
March 28, 2012 12:00 pm
Diamond Jim Tyler is BACK with another trick up his sleeve. Using basic math and a smart phone calculator, he'll show you how to get a girl's digits. Guaranteed to impress the ladies! Or maybe creep them out a little..
1x212 Score Free Drinks With Paper Clips!
April 4, 2012 12:00 pm
Discover the perfect trick for office parties. All you need is a bowl of water and some paper clips. Question: Will they float? Answer: Yes! But how? Watch this episode and find out.
1x213 Use Psychic Powers to Create a Card Magic Miracle!
April 11, 2012 12:00 pm
How do you get your friends to correctly guess the color of every card in a deck, face down? Wish ESP! Okay, not really. Just watch this episode and brian will show you the secret to this mind blowing card trick!
1x214 Hold a Full, Open Beer Bottle Upside Down Without Spilling It!
April 18, 2012 12:00 pm
Can you hold an open beer bottle upside down without spilling it? Diamond Jim Tyler can! Watch this episode and learn how to amaze your friends!
1x215 Pull Off the Easiest Tricks with Rubber Bands!
April 25, 2012 12:00 pm
You probably have a bunch of rubber bands lying around anyway - why not turn them into tools of trickery? In this episode, we'll learn some easy peasy lessons in rubber band magic!
1x216 Look Like a Real Card Sharp with These Fancy Moves & Flourishes!
May 2, 2012 12:00 pm
If you want to perform advanced card tricks, you've gotta learn your fundamentals first. In this epsiode, Brian teaches four basic card flourishes that you should know before you go pro. All it takes is a little practice to nail these down!
1x217 Fool Yourself with This Super Simple Card Trick!
May 9, 2012 12:00 pm
In our final episode with Diamond Jim Tyler, we learn an awesomely simple card trick that requires no skill! It's based on Jim Steinmeyer's famous nine card trick, which you might remember from a previous episode of Scam School as the "Spelling Bee" trick.
1x218 Fool Your Friends with an Old Carnival Scam: Pricking the Garter!
May 16, 2012 12:00 pm
In this episode, Brian teaches an earlier version of the "fast and loose" con game we've learned on Scam School before. This one's known as "pricking the garter" and instead of a chain, we use a rolled up belt.
1x219 Fire Eating-The Basics!
May 23, 2012 12:00 pm
WARNING: The ONLY safe way to learn fore eating is under the personal training of an experienced professional... which is exactly what our Revision3 hosts Veronica Belmont, Anthony Carboni and Max Scoville do in this week's episode!
1x220 Awesome Impromptu Trick: How to Unbreak a Rubber Band
May 30, 2012 12:00 pm
Here's the first in a series of episodes where Michael blows our minds with an amazing performance and teaches us a thing or two about magic. This week: the card on the ceiling trick, followed by a lesson on how to break, then UNbreak, a rubber band.
1x221 Fire Eating Part 2: Advanced Vapor Tricks!
June 6, 2012 12:00 pm
In part two of Brian's fire eating lesson, our Revision3 hosts learn one of the advanced moves that makes fire eating look super badass! Watch Max Scoville, Anthony Carboni, Veronica Belmont and Andrew Bancroft attempt the vapor trick.
1x222 Make Two Awesome Predictions in One Winning Poker Trick!
June 13, 2012 12:00 pm
This week we're back at the bar for a poker trick that is almost brilliant in its simplicity! You can perform it anywhere, anytime and you don't even need a special deck for it. It starts with a prediction and an easy setup..
1x223 More Magic From a Master: Restoring a Tom Card and How to Fake-Break a Phone with Magician Michael Ammar!
June 20, 2012 12:00 pm
We're back at Misdirections Magic Shop in San Francisco to witness the wizardly of Michael Ammar! In this episode, we watch him rip and restore a torn card. Plus we'll learn how to fake our friends into thinking their phone screen is busted. Psych!
1x224 How To Count Cards & Beat The Casino! How To Count Cards & Beat The Casino!
June 27, 2012 12:00 pm
Counting cards isn't illegal, but you might get your butt kicked if you're caught. Don't let that stop you from trying! In this episode, Brian shows us a card counting method you can do on the sly.
1x225 Fire Eating Flourishes! Fire Tossing and Tongue Transfers to Impress - It's Getting Hot in Here!
July 4, 2012 12:00 pm
In honor of the Fourth of July, we bring you more fire shenanigans! We literally toss and transfer fire! Get ready to be wowed.
1x226 Dollar Folding Magic: How to Make a Bill Fold Itself!
July 11, 2012 12:00 pm
In this episode we head back to Misdirections Magic Shop in San Francisco for another mind-blowing performance from Michael, PLUS he'll show you how to freak out your friends with a self-folding dollar bill.
1x227 Set Your Hands, Floor and CLOTHES on Fire - Safely!
July 18, 2012 12:00 pm
In this episode, we'll see Rev3 Host Anthony Carboni learn advanced maneuvers - like the fire finger transfer, the pants on fire trick and the most visually stunning of all - the fire floor transfer! (Don't try this at home!)
1x228 The Classic Cup and Ball Trick with a Twist and an Amazingly EASY Gag with Business Cards!
July 25, 2012 12:00 pm
You may have seen a variation of the cup and ball trick before, but in this episode our special guest, Michael Ammar takes it to a whole new level. Even Brian's mind was blown!
1x229 The GROSSEST Magic Trick You Can Do: Psychic Surgery! It's Blood & Gore Galore!
August 1, 2012 12:00 pm
Be prepared to get messy because you're about to learn how to rip out people's guts using the precision of a mad scientist - with your bare hands!
1x230 4 EASY Business Card Tricks to Make a BIG First Impression!
August 8, 2012 12:00 pm
Brian and guest Michael Ammar are back with even more quick and simple maneuvers guaranteed to impress anyone who asks you, "Can I have your card?" Plus watch Michael pull a scarf through a solid object!
1x231 Fish for Sharks at the Bar With This Fun Bar Trick!
August 15, 2012 12:00 pm
You don't have to plunge the ocean depths to celebrate Shark Week. On Scam School, all you have to do is belly up to the bar with the lovely ladies of the Bite Club Show!
1x232 Learn the Secret Moves of Pro Wrestling: Fake Hits and Slams!
August 22, 2012 12:00 pm
This week we attempt to answer the age-old question: Is pro wrestling real or fake? Watch the master become the student as Brian finds out the trade secrets behind this pre-determined "sport" from a wrestling school graduate.
1x233 Fast & Furious Magic: Quick Pencil Tricks to Try on Your Friends!
August 29, 2012 12:00 pm
Sometimes one short trick won't do on its own, but a bunch of them in a rapid succession can have awesome results! Watch Brian and guest magician Robert Strong run through a few fun little gags you can do with pencils or straws.
1x234 Two Mind Bending Math Puzzles You Can Do at the Bar!
September 5, 2012 12:00 pm
This week challenge your drinking buddies with a couple of fun brain teasers.
1x235 Put Your Wizard Mind to the Test: Make These Good Puzzles Even Better!
September 12, 2012 12:00 pm
This week it's time to test the limits of your imagination! We've got two matchstick puzzles you can try out on your friends and see how you can improve them.
1x236 An Epic Battle Royale & More Real Pro Wrestling Moves!
September 19, 2012 12:00 pm
Brian's pro-wrestling schooling continues! This week, watch him learn some final advanced maneuvers before it's all choreographed into a final showdown between the teacher and the student.
1x237 Scam School Heads to Jakarta To Meet The Indonesian David Blaine
September 26, 2012 12:00 pm
In this episode, we follow Brian on his journey to "Mahakarya Magician" in Jakarta. The we go backstage before the show to meet two of Indonesia's most famous magic superstars and get a glimpse at their magic powers...
1x238 Predict the Future with a Deck of Cards!
October 3, 2012 12:00 pm
This week we're at the bar again with Brian and his fellow magician Robert Strong, who shows us a card prediction trick that's totally unbustable!
1x239 Behind the Scenes of the World's Biggest Magic Special!
October 10, 2012 12:00 pm
This week we show you more of Brian's Indonesian adventure. Follow him to Jakarta as he prepares for one of the biggest live televised magic specials in the world, get a glimpse of some of the onstage "Mahakarya Magician" performances...
1x240 Turn Coffee Creamer into a FLAMETHROWER!
October 17, 2012 12:00 pm
Playing with fire never gets old! This week we learn how to create amazing jets of flame using ordinary matches and some powdered coffee creamer. BONUS: Another Scam School devotee gets his own personal fire-eating lesson from Brian.
In this episode, Brian harnesses the power of coffee creamer to create magnificent pillars of fire! In other words, Brian teaches a couple how to ignite animal fats in powdered coffee creamer. It results in a stream of combustable coffee creamer and you end up seeing a long line of fire! Plus, Brian personally teaches yet another Scam School devotee how to eat fire!
In this episode, Brian harnesses the power of coffee creamer to create magnificent pillars of fire! In other words, Brian teaches a couple how to ignite animal fats in powdered coffee creamer. It results in a stream of combustable coffee creamer and you end up seeing a long line of fire! Plus, Brian personally teaches yet another Scam School devotee how to eat fire!
1x241 Feats of Strength and a Coin Puzzle Challenge!
October 24, 2012 12:00 pm
Brian's Indonesian adventure comes to a close as he and strongman/magician Dennis Rogers hit up a bar in Jakarta. Plus, see Rogers true strength at work and learn an amazing coin trick.
1x242 Make Sweet Music at he Bar with Straws!
October 30, 2012 12:00 pm
In this episode, we show you how to make some pretty gnarly flutes out of the plastic straws you'd typically find at your local bar!
1x243 Make Your Own Stripper Deck
November 8, 2012 12:00 pm
In this episode, we show you how to make a stripper deck to perform a variety of card tricks, with the help of San Francisco magician Ryan Horsfall.
1x244 How to Eat Freaking Lighbulbs!
November 14, 2012 12:00 pm
DON'T TRY THIS TRICK AT HOME!! After watching the look on Anthony Carboni's face, as he attempts to eat glass from an incadescent light bulb, you probably won't want to try it anyway. Brian Brushwood lays down the strategic way to "chew glass". DO NOT USE FLORECENT LIGHT BULBS!!!!
DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! DO NOT USE FLORECENT LIGHT BULBS!!!! Fluorescent lights contain small amounts of mercury, a poisonous substance. The phosphor coating on the inside glass is also harmful. If a human or pet is cut, the phosphor will prevent blood from clotting. Once again, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! Enjoy though, as Brian shows you a dangerous sideshow trick that's been done for years.
DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! DO NOT USE FLORECENT LIGHT BULBS!!!! Fluorescent lights contain small amounts of mercury, a poisonous substance. The phosphor coating on the inside glass is also harmful. If a human or pet is cut, the phosphor will prevent blood from clotting. Once again, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! Enjoy though, as Brian shows you a dangerous sideshow trick that's been done for years.
1x245 The Perfect Card Trick... Where THEY Do All The Work!
November 21, 2012 12:00 pm
In this episode, we show you how to have people read YOUR mind with this simple card trick!
So you can read people's mind in a card trick? That's child's play, get people to read YOUR mind to really blow them away. It's not that hard either, you'll just need a little help from a... ehem.. marked deck.
So you can read people's mind in a card trick? That's child's play, get people to read YOUR mind to really blow them away. It's not that hard either, you'll just need a little help from a... ehem.. marked deck.
1x246 The EASIEST Bar Trick and an IMPOSSIBLE PREDICTION!
November 28, 2012 12:00 pm
Today on Scam School, it's a two for one special! Two beautiful girls and two awesome scams all in one episode!
1x247 Use HYPNOSIS to LEVITATE Your Friends!
December 5, 2012 12:00 pm
If you have four able bodied people and four chairs, then you can perform this awesome hypnotic levitation trick!
There's nothing more awesome than the ability to amaze people with little to no props. On today's Scam School, you'll learn how to weave your friends together as if they were one big sleeping pretzel, with nothing more than four chairs.
There's nothing more awesome than the ability to amaze people with little to no props. On today's Scam School, you'll learn how to weave your friends together as if they were one big sleeping pretzel, with nothing more than four chairs.
1x248 Disappearing Paper Balls and Magically Appearing Beers!
December 12, 2012 12:00 pm
Suckers who don't see how pieces of toilet paper suddenly disappear while everyone else is in on the joke. Oh yeah... you also get a bonus hypnotizing switcheroo bonus trick today!
1x249 Warp A Card Inside-Out IN THEIR HANDS!
December 19, 2012 12:00 pm
Learn how to warp a card and defy logic in this episode of Scam School.
You can't turn a card inside out. Right? Turns out you can and Brian Brushwood blows some minds by doing so under the cover of darkness. Learn the logic behind this simple card folding (and cutting) scam.
You can't turn a card inside out. Right? Turns out you can and Brian Brushwood blows some minds by doing so under the cover of darkness. Learn the logic behind this simple card folding (and cutting) scam.
1x250 Take All Their Money with These Dice Scams!
December 26, 2012 12:00 pm
The only thing you need to pull off these two scams is a few dice. That and a few suckers with money in their pockets!
Learn how to scam your friends in this week's Scam School with just a few dice. The first trick involves a bit of dice-on-finger physics that will stump everyone. The second trick is a variation of the previously played "Nim". It's a race to the number 50!
Learn how to scam your friends in this week's Scam School with just a few dice. The first trick involves a bit of dice-on-finger physics that will stump everyone. The second trick is a variation of the previously played "Nim". It's a race to the number 50!
1x251 INVENT Your Own Card Tricks with This Secret Technique!
January 2, 2013 12:00 pm
It's like jazz improv, but for card magic!
This week we're joined by mentalist Jonny Zavant as we learn a simple technique that requires no sleight of hand, yet allows you to make up your own magic tricks on the fly. Check out Jonny Zavant's full stage show over at http://jonnyzavant.com
This week we're joined by mentalist Jonny Zavant as we learn a simple technique that requires no sleight of hand, yet allows you to make up your own magic tricks on the fly. Check out Jonny Zavant's full stage show over at http://jonnyzavant.com
1x252 Learn the Secret to Walking Barefoot on Broken Glass!
January 9, 2013 12:00 pm
Ever wonder how Fakirs and daredevils pull off the walking on glass stunt? We find out! Remember, this is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and whatever you do, DON'T TRY THIS ONE AT HOME! Watch for the secret! The glass is genuinely 100% sharp, but very, very brittle. Performers take advantage of this face to "rough up" the glass right in front of you before they walk on it.
1x253 TELEPORT a Borrowed Dollar ANYWHERE!
January 16, 2013 12:00 pm
Brian shows you how to take a bill, destroy it and then teleport it back!
This week we give you one of the strongest effects yet: A borrowed bill is identified, and the serial number memorized. Despite being destroyed right in front of their eyes, the bill restores itself *anywhere* you want!
Details of how to pull this off are in the video, but if you want to get pre-made bills to pull this off, make sure to grab them this week at http://scamstuff.com
This week we give you one of the strongest effects yet: A borrowed bill is identified, and the serial number memorized. Despite being destroyed right in front of their eyes, the bill restores itself *anywhere* you want!
Details of how to pull this off are in the video, but if you want to get pre-made bills to pull this off, make sure to grab them this week at http://scamstuff.com
1x254 We're CHEATING... But Can You Figure Out HOW?
January 23, 2013 12:00 pm
This week we've got an awesome challenge from Dr. James Grime from Cambridge University, as seen on his stellar YouTube channel "singingbanana."
In this challenge two people must avoid both being right at the same time successfully through 26 trials in a row. A feat that defies the 2000 to 1 odds against it! Your challenge: guess our system and then tweet Brian at @shwood BEFORE we reveal the answer.
There's no communication between the two players, and no peeking of any kind. Our system works no matter how many trials there are, too!
In this challenge two people must avoid both being right at the same time successfully through 26 trials in a row. A feat that defies the 2000 to 1 odds against it! Your challenge: guess our system and then tweet Brian at @shwood BEFORE we reveal the answer.
There's no communication between the two players, and no peeking of any kind. Our system works no matter how many trials there are, too!
1x255 Fake Reading AURAS with This Super Simple CHEAT!
January 30, 2013 12:00 pm
Mentalist Jonny Zavant shares his psychic powers to read our minds and our auras... but it's all a sham.
1x256 Insanely Easy Card Trick... The Cards Do All The Work!
February 6, 2013 12:00 pm
Brian shows you a technique to stack a deck that magicians have used for hundreds of years!
1x257 Best. Card Trick. Ever.
February 13, 2013 12:00 pm
Brian shows you the most powerful principle in card magic!
1x258 How to Blow GIANT BALLS OF FIRE!
February 20, 2013 12:00 pm
Brian shows off a safer alternative to create a dramatic fire blast.
1x259 The Puzzle Challenge Showdown! It's Brian Vs. YOU!
February 27, 2013 12:00 pm
Brian unleashes some good ol' riddles to puzzle your brains. All you need is a pen and paper to release you inner mathlete!
1x260 Can YOU solve the 3 Lightbulb Puzzle?
March 6, 2013 12:00 pm
Light it up! Watch as Brian brings this hypothetical riddle to life.
1x261 Fool Yourself With This Super-Simple Card Matching Trick!
March 13, 2013 12:00 pm
Brian rips up 5 random cards and uses trickery to match them back up. It's the simplest card miracle ever!
1x262 How To Calculate Cube Roots INSTANTLY!
March 20, 2013 12:00 pm
Amaze everyone with your mental math wizardry!
1x263 Pete Boie's Coaster Trick!
March 27, 2013 12:00 pm
Create your own trick at the bar IN SECONDS! Magician Peter Boie joins Brian to teach you this simple trick and show off some sly MacGyver skills.
1x264 Dan Martin Vs. the Star Challenge!
April 3, 2013 12:00 pm
5-sided stars and triangles! Let's see if you can solve Brian's super simple puzzle in this week's episode of Scam School.
1x265 The Simple Trick to Become a Memory GENIUS!
April 10, 2013 12:00 pm
Match your wits with Brian and the crew to become a memory master!
1x266 Suspend Cards in the Air... It's Easy!
April 17, 2013 12:00 pm
This gravity defying card trick just may melt your brains out of your nose - in a good way!
1x267 Scam Beers With Cutlery!
April 24, 2013 12:00 pm
The amazing Diamond Jim Tyler joins Brian to show us 3 simple scams to score free drinks using ordinary forks and spoons.
1x268 Two Fast and East Matchbox Puzzles!
May 1, 2013 12:00 pm
Check out two challenges using one simple box of matches and see if your friends can figure out the secrets to these tricks!
1x269 Can YOU Solve All 3 Dice Challenges?
May 8, 2013 12:00 pm
One is easy, one is hard, and one is super hard (but actually easy once you know how). Can you figure them out?
1x270 It's A Race To Inflate! And You'll Always Win
May 15, 2013 12:00 pm
Are you really tripling your lung power, or is it a trick? Here's a way to always win this trash bag inflation trick.
1x271 TBA
May 22, 2013 12:00 pm
