Hobbies And Interests
The Basket Toss
The Basket Toss is a carnival game in which players must throw a large rubber ball into a basket so that the ball stays in the basket and does not bounce out. The game on its own is challenging but not impossible. One simple trick carnies use is to cut a tennis ball in half and glue the flat half to the basket, causing the ball to bounce out. Some more technical carnies have come up with a trick that involves a mechanical foot tilting the baskets. Watch out if you see a carny demonstration in which each ball is perfectly thrown. A trick carnies use to convince players that the game is possible is to leave a loose soft ball inside the basket, which absorbs the bounce of the rubber ball.
Pop the Balloon Game
The Pop the Balloon game is a classic carnival game in which many balloons are tacked to a cork board. The player is given a dart and must throw it and pop a balloon. If a balloon is popped, the player wins the prize listed on a tag on the balloon. Carnies have several tricks for this game. First, they make sure darts are off balance and have been dulled so it more difficult to pop the balloon. The next thing they do is buy large balloons and blow them up only partially so the rubber skin of the balloon is thick. Carnies may then loosely attach balloons so they spin when hit by a dart. If the balloons indicate prize sizes (small, medium and large), there may not be any large prize tags on the balloons. To avoid these tricks, first ask to use the operator's darts, which are sharper and used for demonstrations. Aim high, trying to hit balloons at a 45 degree angle while using the force of gravity. Try to aim for balloons on the sides, which may be better prizes then the center balloons.
Chance Number Games
Chance number games are classic carnival games geared towards children because game play is simple and often involves a cheap rubber toy as a prize. Many of these games, such as Fish Pond and Duck Pond, advertise that a prize is won every time. These games typically involve a quantity of rubber toys, such as fish or ducks, with hidden numbers or prize sizes (small, medium or large) on them. Players select an object from the pond. When the it is turned over reveals a number or prize size. The matching number on the wall or the size on the bottom indicates what prize is received. Be wary if you see someone winning big on this game. Some carnies, called "sticks," are disguised as customers and walk through "gaffed" games winning prizes to attract customers. One trick for this game is not to have a fish or duck that matches the biggest prize number on the wall. If the game uses prize sizes, it may not have any large prizes, and may only have one or two medium-sized prizes. Another involves using the glass of the aquarium and the mechanism that turns the fish over to distort the number on the fish. There aren't any tips to avoid these tricks because you must rely on the carny to put out ducks or fish with good prizes.
Shooting Games
Target shooting games are common at carnivals. These types of games, whatever the theme, involve a pellet-shooting gun and an array of targets to shoot. The tricks for these types of games involve the pellet gun. One carny trick for this game is to start a player off with fewer pellets than the game advertises. Carnies figure the player will not be counting the number of shots. Carnies then either remove the tube of the pellet gun or set the aim off, to make shooting much more difficult. In order to avoid these tricks, watch other players play the game for a couple rounds to see which guns have the best aim and which have the most ammo. Do not look through the view of the gun, but watch where your pellet goes and judge your aim from there. Do not aim for the center of a target.