One of the major sources of income in carnivals and fairs are games. However the games are plugged with tiny secrets that make it impossible to win the game. Here are some games and how they are rigged.

Tilted bucket
Throw the baseball into the tilted bucket. Sound a little suspicious? You better bet. The bucket is tilted in such a slant that it is impossible to keep the ball in the bucket.
If a carnival worker asks you just to try it without no costs nor no money, watch what he'll do. You'll notice he will put a ball into the bucket. Then he'll tell you to throw the ball in. You will get it in and it will stay. However, when you really play he'll take the ball out. There goes your buck.

Basketball Game
Another game that looks suspiciously easy. The ball is deflated, the hoop is too far back, and too high up. Also the rim is so small that the basketball couldn't (or hardly) fits in it.

Knock the Cans Over
What started out as an honest game played by children has become one of the best known carnival scams. The cans (if unbreakable) are filled with sand.
Be especially aware if they ask you to knock all the cans off of a circular disc. Usually the disc will be too wide, so you have a less chance of winning.

Balloon Popping Game
Another innocent looking game. Another too-easy-to-be true game. 3/4 of the balloons are usually not inflated all the way. They purposely make the arrows dull. However, this game is probably one of the most 'Scammer Games' you are bound to win.

Goldfish Game
You throw a pingpong ball into a jar, you get a goldfish. You throw a pingpong ball and have very few chances of winning. the jars are strategically placed for the ball keeps on bouncing and eventually falls.
A new twist of the game is if it lands ONLY in a colored jar you win a prize. However, these colored jars are placed at the location where least people throw.

Ring Toss Game
The rings are too heavy, the poles are too big, the rings are too small, and the poles are placed too close together.

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IndianPainter
Regis Philbin To Jeff Probst: Is That Your Final Vote?

I usually win on the basket ball game and have won on several actually...But I am going to the county fair on Saturday and I am going to stay away from these this year...I going after the cotton candy,corn dogs and candy apples this time..

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Sandalwood's Cosmic Creations: Working with the magic of love....

It all depends on what amusement company you go to. Some decide to be trustworthy, some decide not to. I know the ones around me (S&S) are very UNTRUSTWORTHY when it comes to carnival games.

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IndianPainter
Regis Philbin To Jeff Probst: Is That Your Final Vote?

Hey boyscout, I had a thread like this a couple of months ago. I have some more games in it, I'll bring it to the top so everyone has more chances at winning these games.