Scam School

Hosted by Brian Brushwood. New episodes Wednesdays.

If Harvard offered a PhD in deceit, this would be it. Award-winning magician Brian Brushwood takes viewers on an inside tour of bar tricks, street cons and scams. If you watch carefully, you'll never have to pay for a drink again! Read More

It's In the Bank

Thursday, November 6th, 2008 – running time 07:22

This week we've got another puzzle with a setup that sounds absolutely impossible.

THE SETUP: Fold a toothpick in half, making a "V" shape, and place it on top of the mouth of a beer bottle. Next Place a dime on top of the folded toothpick, and offer the following question:

How do you get the dime into the beer bottle, without touching the bottle, toothpick, or dime...without letting the toothpick fall off the top of the bottle, and without shaking the table?

THE ANSWER: Don't be surprised if your mark just flat-out doesn't believe this one is possible...the restrictions are so tight, it seems there's no way to pull it off, but the solution is unbelievably elegant:

Just drip a couple of drops of water (or any other drink) onto the fold in the toothpick. The water will cause the wood to expand, opening the toothpick and allowing the dime to drop right in.

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About the Show

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Show Title:
Scam School
Description:
If Harvard offered a PhD in deceit, this would be it. Award-winning magician Brian Brushwood takes viewers on an inside tour of bar tricks, street cons and scams. If you watch carefully, you'll never have to pay for a drink again!
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Launch Date:
Apr 6, 2008
Episodes:
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