The 3 Shell Game Tutorial – Everything You Need To Know
The 3 shell game is a gambling game usually played for money. A small pea is placed under one of the shells. The shells are moved around and you have to find the pea.
Sleight of hand is used, which makes it impossible to follow, and very entertaining.
I have been performing the 3 shell game for a long time and will teach you the exact routine and moves I use.
I recorded this video of real street hustlers on the streets trying to take people’s money using the 3 shell game scam.
3 Shell Game Tutorial
Shell Game Supplies
3 shells, a pea, a close up pad (optional)
Click here to buy an excellent and inexpensive set of shells on Amazon that I highly recommend. This is the set I used in the video above.
Close up Pad
I prefer using a close-up pad because it makes the steal & load easier, and acts as a mini stage.
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I am right handed. If you are a lefty switch hands.
Gripping the Shell
Grip the shell from above with your thumb on the left side, your 1st finger on top, and your curled 2nd finger on the right side. Curl your 3rd and 4th fingers naturally. Your thumb and 2nd finger should touch and make a “V” at the back.
Stealing the Pea
You will steal the pea out of the back of the shell as you push the shell forward.
Cover the pea with the shell and grip it from above. Press down firmly with your 1st finger at the front right side so the shell stays against the mat during the steal.
Push the shell forward. The pea will automatically slide out the back. Lightly pinch the stolen pea between your thumb and 2nd finger.
Loading the Pea
With the pea hidden, grip the shell and slide it back toward you. Press down firmly with your right 1st finger at the front right side so the shell stays against the mat as you load in the pea. The pea will automatically slide back in.
Holding Out
Holding out is when you have the pea secretly concealed in your hand. You should never hold out for too long. In my routine, I steal the pea and immediately load it under another shell.
Pro Tips
- The steal and the load should look the same and have the same pace.
- Keep your hand close to and parallel with the table.
- Keep your thumb and 2nd finger pressed tightly against each other so they don’t move when you make the steal.
Three Shell Game Routine
3 Shell Game – Both Hands
Start with the shells on the table with the middle shell injogged toward you. Place the pea in front of the middle shell, in line with the side shells.
Grip the side shells and turn your hands palm up showing the shells are empty. Place them back down. With your right hand lift the middle shell and turn your hand palm up, showing it empty.
Place it down covering the pea, don’t let go of the shell.
Grip the left shell with your left hand. Move both shells forward and steal the pea into your right hand. Move your hands to the right and slide the right two shells back. Load in the pea.
With your left hand move the left shell back in line with the shells.
Slowly turn over the middle shell, then the left shell, then the right shell showing the pea.
3 Shell Game – One Hand
Place the shells on the mat with the middle shell injogged toward you and the pea in front, same as in phase 1. Cover the pea with the middle shell. You will only use your right hand for this phase.
- Move the right shell forward.
- Move the middle shell forward and steal the pea.
- Move the left shell back toward you and load the pea.
- Move the middle shell down in line with the left shell.
- Move the right shell down in line with the other shells
- Turn over the middle shell, then the right shell, then the left shell.
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3 Shell Game – Two Shells
Get rid of one of the shells, you will only need 2 shells for this phase. Place the shell on the right forward of the left shell. Place the pea in front of the left shell.
Lift the left shell and turn your hand palm up flashing it empty. Cover the pea and immediately slide the shell forward so it is in line with the other shell. Steal the pea as you do this.
While holding out the pea lift the right shell. In an arcing motion wave it over the left shell and then bring it back toward you. Put it down on the mat behind the left shell and load in the pea as you move the shell toward you.
Mime taking the pea from the front shell and dropping it in the back shell. Turn over the back shell and then the front shell.
3 Shell Game Pro Tips
This is a great trick for when it is loud at an event or if your spectators don’t speak the language. It is easy to follow and no presentation is necessary.
I only do three phases in my routine, and they are pretty simple. I don’t talk during the routine and present it as a visual that spectators just watch.
If people are guessing everyone chooses a different shell. Since there are only three shells, someone will be correct. It becomes a guessing game which weakens the trick and kills the flow.
After being wrong two times your spectators become aware that somehow you are manipulating the pea.
My hands tend to sweat, which makes stealing and gripping the pea very difficult. There have been times where I dropped the pea, which is not good. If your hands are moist, don’t do the trick.
Three Shell Game Shot Glass Ending
Many magicians present this routine with a shot glass ending. They cover the pea with the shell and then cover the shell with a shot glass. It looks pretty impossible.
I don’t do this ending for two reasons. First off, I don’t think it adds that much to the routine. Second, I am lazy and don’t want to carry a shot glass.
Conclusion
The shells I currently use are the Street Shells by Whit Haydn and Chef Anton. I like them because they are small and I have small hands. I have played with many sets of shells and to be honest, they are all good.
There is a website that sells everything for the 3 shell game. Click here to check out the best resource for all the best props for the 3 shell game. This is where professionals shop.
