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Fine Dining scam!

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 – running time 08:12
An impossible riddle with an unbeatable payoff!

Segments

We've done puzzles here on Scam School before, but never have we had one with such an unfair setup, or such a surprising solution.

Setup: In any restaurant with a tablecloth, set a dime between two nickels, and set an upside-down glass balanced on the two nickels.

The Challenge: get the dime out from it's prison without touching the glass or the coins, AND without touching anything with another object.

Note: I like to add the extra red herring of saying they can use "anything on the table" to make it work. That way, they'll spend more time focusing on random objects, and less time thinking outside the box.

The Payoff: using your fingernail, scratch at the cloth in front of the coin, and the dime will slowly "walk" its way out of the glass! It looks like it's moving all on its own, and is a very satisfying payoff the wager.

Set up and rules of challenge

Brian introduces the riddle and sets up the rules. Can you get the coin out of the glass trap?

00:42

Play

Challenge attempts by guests

Watch some creative methods of getting the coin out of the glass trap!

01:45

Play

Brian's big reveal and explanation

Brian explains the results of the fine dining trick

05:20

Play

Highlights

guinea pig: 5:28
video game: 4:36
pivot table: 6:22
riddle: 4:19

Automatically Generated Transcript

May not be 100% accurate

" War. Then there is this -- I was in school it's an unsolvable puzzle. Managing just give up right now."

" There's some sort of Scam School brought you might -- fly. Welcome to the show that would never -- standing alone at the altar and -- all -- we mean -- lounge or speak easy. Scam School the only show dedicated to social engineering at the bar and on the street I -- front restaurant in this week it impossible puzzled it's totally unsolvable with a completely unfair set -- conditions. That's also completely awesome welcome to fine dining."

" But I guys I'm Brian -- name edit and Adam. Jonathan Jonathan. Ryan Ryan Peter member Brian hadn't done that. Done quiet I got -- for you guys and this is a pretty good one because it sounds absolutely impossible -- From the setup. So we're we're gonna debut of we'll see you think this. That a utilities percent of wannabes right here. And it challenges."

" Then again this that's designed to. -- from the prison without touching the prison and nothing good that's the prison. And nobody at that point about that."

" But within those rules you guys godaddy or whoever can actually get that --"

" Outs without touching anything at. All my neighbors and maybe give up you might interest. Yeah. -- You have successfully. -- And last night friends. It will not happen. -- Dallas right in front CNN so -- don't work. Yeah okay."

" Maybe sneak attack time."

" Wait a minute. I don't know it's good you don't really have that. I'm gonna does that manipulation going on."

" Yeah. Yeah. I -- I had."

" The way guys -- thanks to the diluted popped out the boy he had to do elective office."

" Will you got up guy who's gonna watch football night."

" Well okay. Action. I'm I'm pretty sure it's the this is curling upward as you haven't. -- clearly doesn't put his mind it's giving. I thought I went --"

" This is going to be smiling don't put it we like violence."

" And now it is sealed and you want to try -- designating Iran's not go over and again I can tell your event of the series. -- they -- are trying to Wal-Mart dot I think you're really good at any minute now you're gonna they gathered. August 6 period. You got anything else. It's no wonder now whether. All right how many did you might know what. Unlike any dvds so we don't get away answers on scandal what did you guys what they can't invite anyone tasty beverage I will sell you the answer to this. Fabulous riddle what do you say. Now -- New -- that. That is the points of defeat sweet sweet music -- guys -- gonna find out the first got to visit."

" The sponsors that makes -- possible. Heartless talk about game why you like games I like games and game plight of the largest online video game rental service that offers you choice for over 6000. New and classic titles from all consoles and hand held. They got plans starting at 1595 a month and members can it. It won the fourteenth and I think some of long that you like. With no late -- don't you didn't and shipping is always free. What -- I'm playing games this and affecting you why we'll send -- the next one if you really like the game your playing just click on -- on the game like website and the game is yours. And it just kind of price gains slightly familiar to you manuals. Free of charge. The best part is in school is -- free two week trial and politically -- dot com slash Scam School that's being polite dot com flight. -- recruit to put a winning a free drink. Skip on over."

" We don't like gets sent back I'm not gonna do this I'll tell you guys how it's done and -- what do you guys who wants to be the Guinea pig yes. We've got a lot bigger yeah."

" at least they'll -- yelling at Xavier sitting where I am. And it starts scratching important. To get clock clock hey you know get a good hook into it."

" Yeah."

" The only -- probably -- what -- you've got to do it someplace where there happens to be able squad here this is what those who want the ability. Into the back -- your mind when you fight is over the fancy dinner sit down and the more but it is better gonna work. Get it off and out of Clark will be got a good eye is worth one -- there."

" A couple of things to remember when people enough this 11 of all the the pivot table cloth and a better second of all you've got to have a long fingernails."

" Have you had short fingernails you've still got -- just do the -- instead -- you and the giants should come rushing forward. So get a ball if you wanna suggest your favorite -- have any questions about this one right directly -- Brian revision3.com. And don't forget you can see all. All the episodes right back to episode one at www. -- school dot TV. -- doing what I think could follow us at twitter.com buy -- my group the adventures -- twitter.com slash world. And next week we're gonna be learning how to allocate your burial monopoly money."

" Until then I'll see you Mediterranean avenue."

" The drive. And that's how are you close but stands to me."

" If you wanna see footage of the somebody -- in this dad's already leaving and I -- up."

" The exact moment. No. -- these questions questions splash."

" Next week we're gonna be doing something completely -- in this written in the back in my back pocket because of -- it because I was too busy about word about a god and train because somebody said that having to trade in his job. We sell out pretty amazing I think there are no good. I'd welcome to fine dining."

" I just maintenance not come out and I notice that."

" War. Then there is this -- I was in school it's an unsolvable puzzle. Managing just give up right now."

" There's some sort of Scam School brought you might -- fly. Welcome to the show that would never -- standing alone at the altar and -- all -- we mean -- lounge or speak easy. Scam School the only show dedicated to social engineering at the bar and on the street I -- front restaurant in this week it impossible puzzled it's totally unsolvable with a completely unfair set -- conditions. That's also completely awesome welcome to fine dining."

" But I guys I'm Brian -- name edit and Adam. Jonathan Jonathan. Ryan Ryan Peter member Brian hadn't done that. Done quiet I got -- for you guys and this is a pretty good one because it sounds absolutely impossible -- From the setup. So we're we're gonna debut of we'll see you think this. That a utilities percent of wannabes right here. And it challenges."

" Then again this that's designed to. -- from the prison without touching the prison and nothing good that's the prison. And nobody at that point about that."

" But within those rules you guys godaddy or whoever can actually get that --"

" Outs without touching anything at. All my neighbors and maybe give up you might interest. Yeah. -- You have successfully. -- And last night friends. It will not happen. -- Dallas right in front CNN so -- don't work. Yeah okay."

" Maybe sneak attack time."

" Wait a minute. I don't know it's good you don't really have that. I'm gonna does that manipulation going on."

" Yeah. Yeah. I -- I had."

" The way guys -- thanks to the diluted popped out the boy he had to do elective office."

" Will you got up guy who's gonna watch football night."

" Well okay. Action. I'm I'm pretty sure it's the this is curling upward as you haven't. -- clearly doesn't put his mind it's giving. I thought I went --"

" This is going to be smiling don't put it we like violence."

" And now it is sealed and you want to try -- designating Iran's not go over and again I can tell your event of the series. -- they -- are trying to Wal-Mart dot I think you're really good at any minute now you're gonna they gathered. August 6 period. You got anything else. It's no wonder now whether. All right how many did you might know what. Unlike any dvds so we don't get away answers on scandal what did you guys what they can't invite anyone tasty beverage I will sell you the answer to this. Fabulous riddle what do you say. Now -- New -- that. That is the points of defeat sweet sweet music -- guys -- gonna find out the first got to visit."

" The sponsors that makes -- possible. Heartless talk about game why you like games I like games and game plight of the largest online video game rental service that offers you choice for over 6000. New and classic titles from all consoles and hand held. They got plans starting at 1595 a month and members can it. It won the fourteenth and I think some of long that you like. With no late -- don't you didn't and shipping is always free. What -- I'm playing games this and affecting you why we'll send -- the next one if you really like the game your playing just click on -- on the game like website and the game is yours. And it just kind of price gains slightly familiar to you manuals. Free of charge. The best part is in school is -- free two week trial and politically -- dot com slash Scam School that's being polite dot com flight. -- recruit to put a winning a free drink. Skip on over."

" We don't like gets sent back I'm not gonna do this I'll tell you guys how it's done and -- what do you guys who wants to be the Guinea pig yes. We've got a lot bigger yeah."

" at least they'll -- yelling at Xavier sitting where I am. And it starts scratching important. To get clock clock hey you know get a good hook into it."

" Yeah."

" The only -- probably -- what -- you've got to do it someplace where there happens to be able squad here this is what those who want the ability. Into the back -- your mind when you fight is over the fancy dinner sit down and the more but it is better gonna work. Get it off and out of Clark will be got a good eye is worth one -- there."

" A couple of things to remember when people enough this 11 of all the the pivot table cloth and a better second of all you've got to have a long fingernails."

" Have you had short fingernails you've still got -- just do the -- instead -- you and the giants should come rushing forward. So get a ball if you wanna suggest your favorite -- have any questions about this one right directly -- Brian revision3.com. And don't forget you can see all. All the episodes right back to episode one at www. -- school dot TV. -- doing what I think could follow us at twitter.com buy -- my group the adventures -- twitter.com slash world. And next week we're gonna be learning how to allocate your burial monopoly money."

" Until then I'll see you Mediterranean avenue."

" The drive. And that's how are you close but stands to me."

" If you wanna see footage of the somebody -- in this dad's already leaving and I -- up."

" The exact moment. No. -- these questions questions splash."

" Next week we're gonna be doing something completely -- in this written in the back in my back pocket because of -- it because I was too busy about word about a god and train because somebody said that having to trade in his job. We sell out pretty amazing I think there are no good. I'd welcome to fine dining."

" I just maintenance not come out and I notice that."

travislopes

Started discussion: September 30, 2009 @ 8:29pm GMT

shwooddotcom
about 1 month ago

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't suggest this!

Let me head this one off at the pass: What I said in the episode was "You can use whatever you want."

What I should have said was "you can use anything on the table you want..."

Yes, I am aware that somebody, somewhere, may have on their person some mechanism of sufficiently narrow girth (hehe... girth) to slide underneath the glass and push out the dime...

...but even then, I DID say "and nothing can touch the coins," which should include the dime-prize as well. :)

(I only point this out now because of the unfathomably large number of emails I still get, pointing out "alternate solutions" to 'the equation' scam. :p
masterevilace
about 1 month ago
Nice trick.. I really have no complaints with this one. I thought about how the table cloth might have something to do with it, but disregarded it soon after failing to come up with a solution.

I only know of one place that has a table cloth, but I'm sure I won't be going back there any time soon. Will have to keep this one in the back of my mind.
techgadgetsteve
about 1 month ago
i actualy already knew this one. but the first time i see it was at a party and the guy was doind it with one of those plastic pint glasses, he bet £5 that i couldnt get the coin out from under the glass, he said i could use anything that was on the table (exept there was not anything else on the table apart from the set up) plus he also said i was not allowed to touch the glass or the coins.

so all i did was blow the plastic glass off of the coins and held my hand out for the money lol
but he said that i did it wrong so we agreed that he could pay me half and show me how it should be done.
nickklein
about 1 month ago
LOL.
Good puzzle.

I enjoyed the ending very much.
shwooddotcom
about 1 month ago
In reply to techgadgetsteve:
i actualy already knew this one. but the first time i see it was at a party and the guy was doind it with one of those plastic pint glasses, he bet £5 that i couldnt get the coin out from under the glass, he said i could use anything that was on the table (exept there was not anything else on the table apart from the set up) plus he also said i was not allowed to touch the glass or the coins.

so all i did was blow the plastic glass off of the coins and held my hand out for the money lol
but he said that i did it wrong so we agreed that he could pay me half and show me how it should be done.


HAHAHA!!!! well done on that one.
Libraryguy
about 1 month ago

Possible other solution?

Hi there!

I knew this one, damn it! That means you owe me a drink. (Feel free to take it out of the other 80 drinks I owe YOU for the ones I DIDN'T already know)

I can't wait to try this out on my miscreant friends! However, knowing my miscreant friends as well as I do, I just know that one of them is going to take another dime out of their pocket and try to knock the other dime out billiards-style. This will then start a complicated prison break scenario where all my friends start firing dimes at each other across the table using knives as impromptu catapults in hopes that one of them will get under the glass and knock the trapped dime out.

Is that something worth mentioning, or are my miscreant friends the exception? :D
shwooddotcom
about 1 month ago
In reply to libraryguy:
Is that something worth mentioning, or are my miscreant friends the exception? :D


You already mention "and nothing can touch the coins," which you can explain includes the target dime.
rabidbadger
about 1 month ago
Not read the thread, and just saw the set-up. My guess, flick another dime under the "prison" and knock the existing dime out. Let's see if I'm right...
rabidbadger
about 1 month ago
I wasn't right, according to Brian, but it might work any way. Especially on a table without a table cloth.
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