# What skill can you perform better than 99 random people? Please read OP for specifics before answering **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 25, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387 "2026-05-25T19:13:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Irving72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7ea924/32.png) [@Irving72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irving72)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/201 "2026-05-28T18:19:16Z")
Realizing that this is a scam because the winner gets $1000 while the organizer gets $9000. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/202 "2026-05-28T18:30:21Z")
Read the OP. It’s not a contest with an entry fee of $100 for all 100 people involved. It’s a wager whether you can beat 99 randos. Put down your $100. Beat 99 randos. Win $1000. The randos don’t pay to enter. ---
**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:** [May 28, 2026, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/203 "2026-05-28T18:31:22Z")
As has been pointed out, it’s not a competition for (X) skill where 100 people all pay $100 to participate in the competition; then you’d be playing against 99 people who have all self-selected to compete in that skill category knowing they are good at it, not 99 randos. I envision this as a TV game show where one person gets to choose a skill they compete in, then 99 randos are gathered up and paid a small amount to compete in some skill area they are not told details of until game time. “Are You Better than 99 Randos?” coming this fall on NBC! ETA: curses, ninja’d by ricepad 🥷 ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/204 "2026-05-28T20:22:48Z")
I am one who typically gives new slang a very short window before it begins to annoy me. That said, I like the term “rando”. mmm ETA: Welcome to the Dope, @Irving72 . ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/205 "2026-05-28T20:40:55Z")
That’s pretty good! 😄 ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Sponge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dark_sponge/32/121_2.png) [@Dark\_Sponge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Sponge)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/206 "2026-05-28T21:23:10Z")
> Breaking eggs two at a time, one in each hand…I’ve sometimes wondered how many people can do that. Can anybody here? Yes! I lived on a YWAM base in Hawaii for a stretch. I chose to cook breakfast during my time there to avoid other jobs, to maximize my free time during daylight hours. I recently gave it a shot again for fun and avoided getting shell in the bowl for 9 out of the 10 eggs. With a little practice I’m sure I could get 10 out of 10. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/207 "2026-05-28T22:49:08Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Fixing things. > An engineering background, an inherent cheapness, an aversion to waste, and a love of challenges has made me a fantastic repair guy. Be it electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or carpentry- if it’s broken, I’ll fix it. I hope we are not in the same group of 100! Another one - Foosball. Pretty sure I could beat any random group of people. Do you have to be currently proficient? I used to be very good at water skiing, even entered a competition or two. Not sure how my old bones would do these days, though. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/208 "2026-05-28T23:39:43Z")
I can break several dozen eggs at the same time, provided someone is willing to clean up the mess. ---
**Author:** ![Moonrise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonrise/32/14764_2.png) [@Moonrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonrise)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/209 "2026-05-29T07:56:01Z")
Last year, I was walking past a father and his daughter who were playing badminton in a park when she messed up and sent the shuttle flying straight towards my face. I caught it mid-air, and with one smooth circular movement flung it back at her without breaking stride. It landed directly in her hand, and she looked at me with her eyes wide open, then blurted out : “Wow, you’re good !” I spent the rest of the day smiling. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/210 "2026-05-29T08:20:34Z")
And this isn’t a work related skill? ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/211 "2026-05-29T08:41:43Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Here you go (last few lines added by me): > > Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee > Harry, Dick, John, Harry three … [Snip.] Ever seen the movie _King Ralph_? That’s the rhyme that Miranda tries to teach King Ralph (John Goodman), in order to remember the monarchs in order. For all his bumbling and American-ness, Ralph learns it; and it comes in handy when he addresses Parliament later. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/212 "2026-05-29T16:39:46Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Your chosen skill must be something that is generally accessible to most. If you are a brain surgeon, for example, please do not select “best at inserting an external ventriculostomy drainage apparatus”. For this reason, work-related skills are ineligible. I think eliminating _all_ work-related skills might be too broad. For example, being really good at cracking eggs because of doing it at a restaurant job. Or soldering at work. These things are easily accessible outside of work. Perhaps you could just eliminate only work-related skills that aren’t accessible to most? ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/213 "2026-05-29T17:01:41Z")
Various leisure games that I’m pretty sure I would top a bunch of randos, and do respectively well if it was a focused competition: Shooting pool (grew up with pool table, shot lots of stick for free beers), Soul Calibur, and some other PvP video games, Air Hockey, classic arcade games like Galaga, Defender, etc. Tennis - I’m an old fart with fading glory days and bad ankles, but 99/100 people won’t get a simple lob to stay in the court ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/214 "2026-05-29T17:12:05Z")
Break down and reassemble a Ruger MkIII pistol. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/215 "2026-05-29T18:40:26Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > And this isn’t a work related skill? It is, but I’m also a hobbyist in this area, and build & repair electronics at home. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/216 "2026-05-29T19:29:01Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > > > Your chosen skill must be something that is generally accessible to most. If you are a brain surgeon, for example, please do not select “best at inserting an external ventriculostomy drainage apparatus”. For this reason, work-related skills are ineligible. > > I think eliminating _all_ work-related skills might be too broad. For example, being really good at cracking eggs because of doing it at a restaurant job. Or soldering at work. These things are easily accessible outside of work. > > Perhaps you could just eliminate only work-related skills that aren’t accessible to most? I endorse this proposal. mmm ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/217 "2026-05-30T14:40:11Z")
I can crack two eggs in a hand and flip up to four eggs in a pan without breaking a yolk, get your fry pans heated game on! ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/218 "2026-05-30T15:01:47Z")
> [@chela](#): > > flip up to four eggs in a pan without breaking a yolk, Color me impressed! ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2026, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/219 "2026-05-30T16:04:11Z")
Meh, if the competition had spectators I’m sure the bomb diffusers and gun builders would pack the hall over egg flippers and time tellers 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/220 "2026-05-30T16:12:17Z")
I, for one, think I would have a far better chance of defusing a bomb than flipping 4 eggs with intact yolks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387.md?page=12)