I met a guy little while ago who used the Monty Hall dilemma as a bar bet. His set up for the swindle was quite clever!

http://honestconman.blogspot.com/2008/02......all.html

Very clever presentation. I've always wanted a way to cash in on this method, but I don't own any goats. Now I don't need 'em.

Of course, this way of performing the stunt, it is still only a percentage game.


I wonder whether you could manipulate the outcome further by making a big deal of the 'want to change your mind' question. Since people tend NOT to change their mind when asked, this would give you even more of an advantage.

I'll try that with some friends and see how it works.

For those interested in this problem (like I am), I have tried since a couple of years to present this plot as a "magic trick".
After 2 versions, the first one was good but too "gimmicky", the second one very good but too expensive, I have come up with a satisfactory solution. easy to do and costs nothing, it works in most languages. There is no maths or memorization or difficulty of any sort. It does require some one-time preparation, but just with some index cards (with lottery numbers on it), a single sheet of paper (for the list of prizes), and a normal pen, nothing else, no gimmick or funny business. I always keep it in my wallet. It can be adapted to your style, venue, weddings, birthday parties, Halloween, Valentine day, corporate events, etc. The list of booby prizes can also be very easily customized or changed for strolling, and be a good opportunity for comedy Magic! If you are interested in this plot (which I believe is a little gem that has not been exploited yet), pm me. It's also available now on lybrary.com. As it's my birthday month, I am offering a 50% discount on it up to the end of this month.
pm me and I will tell you how to get it).
Here is the effect:
Three business cards are put on the table, along with a (hidden) list of random lottery numbers and associated prizes. Two of the cards have a lottery number written on the back, and the third one has a car. The spectator chooses one of the cards, WITHOUT LOOKING AT IT. The performer looks at the three cards, and turns over one that he knows is a funny booby prize card of course. The spectator is now invited to either keep his original card, or to swap it against the other one. Whatever he does, he will always (100%) lose (and win a funny booby prize (-:.
(Note: You can also make the spectator win all the time, if you prefer. The performer can also predict whether the spectator would switch or not.) "
PS: This was posted in "Magical equations" but I think this forum is more adequate...