Three Card Monte

I have never seen a game of three card monte (except on TV).

A friend of mine that I used to work with at the Portland Hilton (during my Bellman days) showed me some of the tricks that people use.

Three card monte is a card game where someone sets up a small table on the side of the street and deals out three cards, face up. They show you they have two numbered cards and one queen. They are then going to turn all the cards face down and move them around. You then have to guess where the Queen is.

The game seems pretty easy until you have to do it. I have heard of people losing $20 to $100 to a dealer that is good. There are a few problems with the game. The game is illegal in most states of the US. Many of the dealers are also slight of hand magicians and therefore can make sure you lose whenever they want.

Often times, the dealer will have a friend (a shill) win $100 or $200 to suck in other betters. Once they have you betting, you may even win a hand or two but they will also get you for more than you win.

Three card monte is not a game the dealers like to lose. If you see some people playing three card monte, just walk away. You are better off giving your money to charity than trying to win at a game that is designed for you to lose.

Matt Gagnon