# I want to win a prize at the fair. How do I do it and what game should I play? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 19, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369 "2023-09-19T16:53:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/1 "2023-09-19T16:53:31Z")
Just as said. I am going to a fair next week and want to win a prize. Preferably one of the big ones. I know they cheat like crazy. 1. What game should I play? 2. How can I prepare? 3. How can I win? ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/2 "2023-09-19T16:57:28Z")
Winning ‘a prize’ is easy, just pick a game that advertises “every play is a win”. You will pay far more to play than the prize is worth, but that’s the price of winning at the fair. Winning a “big” prize I have less to offer. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/3 "2023-09-19T17:09:01Z")
Here’s some info. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/tk_ZlWJ3qJI/maxresdefault.jpg "Carnival Scam Science (and how to WIN)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk_ZlWJ3qJI) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/4 "2023-09-19T17:09:32Z")
The milk bottle game is rigged simply by having the bottom bottles be heavier than the top one. Most people instinctively throw at the center of the three bottles, but you want to aim low between the two bottom ones. The “shoot out the red star” game, just shoot a circle around the star. Anything involving a toss is likely rigged in a way that it’s nearly impossible to win using any strategy. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/5 "2023-09-19T17:22:14Z")
Try buying a prize outright. I’ve had some success with this approach. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/6 "2023-09-19T17:24:12Z")
I don’t know about that…my old buddy used to win all the time at the “basketball” toss. (Smaller than regulation hoops slightly tilted.) He gave the ball a little backspin and got it in about one out of three times. The people running the game were usually pretty good about it, as other people walking by would see someone actually winning. After he won a couple whatevers, they would usually give him one of the “nicer” prizes and ask him to move on. He would. ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/7 "2023-09-19T17:28:30Z")
_Usually_ when you win, they win, because the thing you win is worth less than what you paid to play. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/8 "2023-09-19T17:36:00Z")
True, but it’s also obvious that they make much more if you don’t win. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/9 "2023-09-19T17:43:22Z")
Oh and the strategy to Cover The Spot is easy. Games magazine had a whole article on it and the history of the game. Sadly, I’ve only seen the game once- at a Chuck E Cheese. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/10 "2023-09-19T18:02:35Z")
In my sheltered childhood, I won two prizes at the State Fair. One was a ‘game’ in which you tossed quarters at a table covered with glasses and goblets. If your quarter landed in one, you won it. The goblet I won was worth at least a dime. The other prize was in a contest in which all the contestants were shooting a mini water cannon at a target, trying to fill up a tube behind each target. I beat 5 or 6 other kids and won a stuffed snake. I think the game cost 50 cents and I’m guessing the snake was worth a buck. I have no idea if there are still contests like that, but that’s not a bad strategy to play that type of game, as a prize is given each round. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/11 "2023-09-19T18:21:31Z")
Take lots of money. Play til you win. Odds are you’ll eventually get _something_ ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/12 "2023-09-19T18:28:21Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > The other prize was in a contest in which all the contestants were shooting a mini water cannon at a target, trying to fill up a tube behind each target. I beat 5 or 6 other kids and won a stuffed snake. I think the game cost 50 cents and I’m guessing the snake was worth a buck. > > I have no idea if there are still contests like that, but that’s not a bad strategy to play that type of game, as a prize is given each round. I forgot about those. I have a friend with great hands who can win those reliably (The last time I saw him fail, he came in second). ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/13 "2023-09-19T18:33:05Z")
They threw one of the greatest [supercomputers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpmGXeAtWUw&t=90s) at it. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/14 "2023-09-19T18:38:04Z")
I have to disagree with you. In general, each carnival game involves a trick. Once you know the trick, winning is possible though not easy. For example- Land a softball in a sideways apple basket nailed to a wall. As long as you throw at the basket, the ball will always roll out and the game cannot be won. But, if you aim at the lip so that the ball knocks straight up and comes down in the basket it is possible to win. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/15 "2023-09-19T18:40:10Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > The “shoot out the red star” game, just shoot a circle around the star. This is what I was going to say. I tried this once, and attempted to systematically shoot out all the red part. I almost succeeded before I ran out of BBs, and the guy running the booth was impressed with my shooting and revealed the trick. To which my response was… 🤦‍♂️ D’OH!! ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/16 "2023-09-19T18:43:00Z")
I know, I know. They are rigged. I know it! But here I am almost 50 and still haven’t won a big prize. I have won little ones! thanks, I’ll update you all if I do manage to win. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/17 "2023-09-19T18:49:13Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > The “shoot out the red star” game, just shoot a circle around the star. This is one of the games/strategies [covered by Mark Rober in the video link above](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tk_ZlWJ3qJI). He says it’s almost impossible because after the first few hits the central “star” flaps freely. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/18 "2023-09-19T18:55:15Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > I have to disagree with you. In general, each carnival game involves a trick. Once you know the trick, winning is possible though not easy. Sometimes the trick is that it is rigged so that you can’t win without a shitload of luck. Anytime the person behind the counter demonstrates how easy it is to win, what you have actually been shown is that the game is fixed so that anyone _outside_ the booth is screwed. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/19 "2023-09-19T18:59:35Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Oh and the strategy to Cover The Spot is easy. Games magazine had a whole article on it and the history of the game. Whenever I go to the fair, I think of that Games article on carnival games! ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369/20 "2023-09-19T20:07:59Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Try buying a prize outright. “I’m looking for my friend bill. Have you seen any _bills_ around here?” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/GkpYqKKrewU/hqdefault.jpg "Bribe at Carnival") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkpYqKKrewU) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-win-a-prize-at-the-fair-how-do-i-do-it-and-what-game-should-i-play/990369.md?page=2)