There is a game played on the streets of Washington every day. It looks real easy, but will cost every dime in your pocket. Even worse, you’ll never know what a sucker you were.
I’m talking three-card monte, shell games or whatever new scam is used. All you have to do is find the pea under the shell or the lucky red queen. In reality, you have no chance.
They play this game on street corners near tourist sites. It lasts as long as it takes to beat you out of your money, then players relocate before the cops come.
“Chef Anton” is a Los Angeles pool hustler who learned scams from his grandmother. He passes through Washington for occasional pool demonstrations. Anton even gives motivational talks at trade shows.
Anton looks like the piano player from a wild west saloon. OK, first lesson in avoiding scams is don’t trust your eyes. These guys know how to play you. Anton is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet and his Web site (chefanton.com) is filled with great advice.
But Anton detailed the shell game scam to me so precisely it’s more fascinating than watching game film with Joe Gibbs. Broadway shows sometimes have less characters and plot than this drama.
“It’s the longest running and successful play ever written,” Anton said. “Like a play, everyone has a role, a line, a purpose for being there. They’re looking for the ‘camera huggers’ [tourists] with their ‘I [love] New York’ shirts that might as well say ‘Take my cash.’”
The game starts with the rube seeing a crowd around the table. Somehow, there is an opening to the front. It seems everyone around the table is part of the scam and they’re luring you to the table.
“You’re now right next to the table,” Anton said. “The first time the bet goes you know it’s under center and someone bets wrong. The second time you know it’s on the right, someone bets left. They’re wrong. You think you must have really good eyes. You can follow this and no one else is able to. You’re still reluctant, but the next guy wins and collects. Now that larceny in your heart starts to increase.”
Anton and other hustlers love to say “An honest man can’t be suckered.” It’s their way of justifying what is essentially stealing your money. If you try to beat them, it’s your own fault.
They’re professionals who can bait you like a master fisherman.
“The operator will do something to get you mad at him,” Anton said. “Call you a name for not betting. You want to give this guy a lesson. You bet $20 on right card, the ‘shill’ [working in collusion] bets 100. The shill will always bet higher to knock out your bet. You learn the only way to win is to bet big. It seemed like a sure thing [but] someone yells police, everyone scatters and you don’t know what happened [to your money.]”
There’s even a postgame show.
“Finally, an elderly gentleman comes over and says ‘Never play this game, it’s illegal and you can’t win and guys will kill you if you chase your money,’” Anton said. “Don’t tell the police because they’ll arrest you for playing. Here’s $10 to get something to eat.’ His role is the smoother.”
Smooth is what this game is all about so the next time you’re hanging around the downtown sites and see something too good to be true, keep on walking.
Rick Snider has covered local sports for 28 years. Contact him at [email protected].
