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

The Heist II

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 – running time 08:22

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Do you remember "The Heist" from episode 21? Well, the sequel is even more unfair than the original!

The setup: balance a nickel (the prize) on it's side on the table. Balance a wooden matchstick on top of the nickel. Finally, cover the whole arrangement with a plastic cup or pint glass (whichever you discover works best for you).

The challenge:

The math is your security alarm, and as long as the match is balanced on the nickel, anything touching, shaking, or moving the cup will activate the alarm. Your job: disable the alarm system WITHOUT setting off the alarm!

The method: this one sounds impossible (and it almost is)... No amount of blowing, shaking, tapping or physical manipulation will get the match off without setting off the alarm... However, if you use static electricity to charge a straw (as we did in the "science friction" episode), you can use the attraction to pull the match off the nickel without setting off the alarm!

NOTE: every area has different attributes for static electricity. Factors including humidity and the materials you use will greatly influence how well this trick works for you... So make sure to practice with the exact materials you plan to use in your performance!

Introductions and setting up the rules for "The Heist - part 2"

How can you get the treasure without setting off the alarm?
00:37 | Play

Guests try and solve puzzle

The ladies come up with inventive, and wrong ways to get the coin out
03:01 | Play

Brian's big reveal and explanation of "The Heist 2"

On the surface it's an unbeatable trick. Hint, check out episode 52 for the answer!
05:57 | Play

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About the Show

Details
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!
Categories:
Awesome Science, Comedy, How-To & DIY
Launch Date:
Apr 6, 2008
Episodes:
270
Credits
Brian Brushwood (Host)