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

Straw Teepee Puzzle

Thursday, June 5th, 2008 – running time 05:23

Effect: Amaze fellow bar patrons by picking up two straws using only one other straw.

Need: One full length straw, and one cut in half.

Take the the full length straw and fold it in half. Crease the fold, so it stays in a "V" shape (figure 1). Now make a "lean-to" using the "V" and the small 1/2 length piece you cut off. Together, they should look somewhat like a pyramid.

Here's the challenge. How can you pick up both pieces of straw using only one other, full-length straw? You can't use your hands, and you have to pick up both straws at once.

Here's how you do it: Insert your "tool straw" under the pinnacle of your lean-to (figure 2). If you push outwards on the folded-over straw, the short straw will fall down onto your tool-straw.

Now slowly pull your tool upwards, and the short straw will lock into the folded over long one (figure 3). Now just lift, and you've done it!

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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
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