Keep in mind though, you're paying X amount of dollars to play a game where the prize is usually X/2 dollars.

Jacob's Ladder- This is the rope ladder which is on like a 45 degree incline and you have to climb up and ring a bell. DO NOT USE THE RUNGS. instead, keep your hands on the outside parts of the ladder, move slowly using opposite limbs at the same time.

Shooting star game - take a couple of shots to determine how accurate the gun is and then shoot around the star.

basket toss - use a gentle toss with backspin, aim for the inside upper lip.

Guess your age/weight/birth month - for birth month, always say October. Carnies like to put something like this down on their paper



Is That Jan, July, or June? Its up to him

Coin Toss- high arc, no spin. Rub a little spit on the coin first, or try to bounce it from one plate to another.

basketball free throw - pretty much impossible.

10/10/2007 2:36:20 PM

go to the side of the basketball things and check out the rims

if they are bent in(you will notice it, they look oval almost) then dont use that one

there are a FEW regulation rims out there...but its a lot further distance.

10/10/2007 2:38:43 PM

can i print this out and bring it with me?

10/10/2007 2:39:18 PM

How to win at fair games:


Don't play them.

10/10/2007 2:40:56 PM

i like this thread.

10/10/2007 2:41:52 PM

what is jacobs ladder?

10/10/2007 2:42:24 PM

HOW DO YOU RIDE THE CRAZY BIKE THOUGH?

10/10/2007 2:44:14 PM

"fair games" are not "fair"

10/10/2007 2:44:22 PM

10/10/2007 2:44:44 PM

I saw a guy run up the middle of the ladder without using his hands once, and he got to the top.

[Edited on October 10, 2007 at 2:45 PM. Reason : But it also kind of seems like a good way to hurt your crotch]

10/10/2007 2:45:26 PM

this is the way to do it

10/10/2007 2:47:13 PM

Quote :

"basket toss - use a gentle toss with backspin, aim for the inside upper lip."

when the carny is not looking, throw it at a neighboring basket (or maybe 2 baskets down). instead of bouncing out it will bounce from side to side. alternatively aim to hit the top lip at a steep downward slope, so the ball will bounce up and down instead of straight back.

Quote :

"basketball free throw - pretty much impossible."

bring a needle (the things you use to inflate balls) and let out most of the pressure in the ball while the carny isn't looking. they are usually inflated to about 30 psi. as a result, the ball is slightly larger, about a half pound heavier and bounces a lot more. additionally, the hoops are smaller and bent into an ellipse (wider than it is long). once i played this game and the ball was so overinflated it didn't fit through the bent hoop and got stuck.



dart games - in some states, the law requires that th carnies allow you to use your own darts. I'm not sure if this is the case in NC, but I tell the carnies that anyway, usually they don't know.


Law does require that the rules of the game be made clear before you play. (Usually on a sign). Carnies will usually make up stupid technicalities so that they won't have to give you a prize. If they try it, tell them you know it's illegal and would not hesitate to report it to the police.

coin toss - don'[t "rub a littl spit" on it. drench it, or stick a loogie or a booger to it. you can't lose unless you really suck.

10/10/2007 2:49:19 PM

Quote :

"Jacob's Ladder- instead, keep your hands on the outside parts of the ladder, move slowly using opposite limbs at the same time."

Do you mean like left arm and right foot at the same time, then right arm and left foot?


Always have witnesses, the more the better. Carnies are sheisty as hell, and will try to cheat you. Nothing is worse than actually winning and getting nothing.

10/10/2007 3:01:34 PM

Quote :

"basket toss - use a gentle toss with backspin, aim for the inside upper lip."

also stand slightly to the side

10/10/2007 3:05:16 PM

baseball/beerbottles

throw your arm out and play a lot - your chances of winning will increase

10/10/2007 3:08:39 PM

another tip for dart games:

use a lighter to heat up the dart while the carny isn't looking.

10/10/2007 3:11:44 PM

was i the only one that read this entire thread and thought "none of these games are fair"


only to realize at the end that it was about games at the fair

10/10/2007 3:14:24 PM

another tip:

bring a gun. rob the carnies at gunpoint for prizes.

*NOTE: I do not advocate this and will not be held responsible for your actions

10/10/2007 3:19:08 PM

EVERYONE LOOK AT THIS THREAD IN THE LOUNGE!!!

LOL!!!!

message_topic.aspx?topic=497553

10/10/2007 3:19:42 PM

Quote :

"Guess your age/weight/birth month - for birth month, always say October."

good, because I don't like to lie. And if I go on my birthday, they'd never guess that!

10/10/2007 3:19:51 PM

Quote :

"Do you mean like left arm and right foot at the same time, then right arm and left foot? "

yes

Lets, see what else there,

the stand the bottle game, its hard but it can be done. Push the bottle up, don't pull it up.

10/10/2007 6:46:34 PM

top ten thread in views for the next two weeks

10/10/2007 6:49:40 PM

never seen that jacob's ladder game before...of course, i haven't been to the fair in 6 years...i will only go to eat funnel cake and blow the powdered sugar on people

10/10/2007 6:51:49 PM

Quote :

"How to win at fair games: Don't play them."

Meh, I go to the fair to have a good time, playing games that I know are somewhat rigged is kinda fun, especially if I can win them. Some people blow 20 bucks on rides, I'll blow 20 bucks playing games. Donate to toys to charity or just give it to some kid at the fair.

10/10/2007 6:56:21 PM

2 years ago i won 2 big sharks on opening night.

i won 1 and had to goto another booth. i think i spend a total of $3 for the two booths to win both big sharks.

went back later that week and won more.


we got our hands on a huge bag of stuffed animals, cant really say how we got it, but we started giving them out to kids in the middle of the fair. people were wondering what the heck was going on.

my uncle once rigged himself the bottle fishing device when he was in college. in his spare time he would work with it. ended up winning everytime he did it.

the magnetic genie game: the hardest part is the last 1/3rd of the spiral. if you ask the carnie, most of them will let you just start near the bottom because that is where it gets tricky.

if you want to make deals with the carnies, you cant really ask them aloud (they will always say they are being watched), you give them $5 and kind of demand that you want more tries than you are suppose to get. because most likely you arent gonna win.
so its worth a try.

so at the basketball shoot.. its like $1 or $2 for a shot give them a $5 and tell them you want 7 shots if its $1 game, or 3-4 if its a $2 game.

it might work better later at night when its not so crowded

[Edited on October 12, 2007 at 1:37 PM. Reason : ]

10/12/2007 1:36:34 PM

Quote :

"the magnetic genie game: the hardest part is the last 1/3rd of the spiral. if you ask the carnie, most of them will let you just start near the bottom because that is where it gets tricky."

Ain't that the damn truth...a lot of times it was also be sorta rigged and have some sort of obstruction on the bottom..I remember one having a wizards hands or something in the way



[Edited on October 12, 2007 at 1:46 PM. Reason : l]

10/12/2007 1:44:25 PM