Midway Games

I've only enjoyed the fruits of this bulletin board since late last year and I haven't seen this discussed since then -- but apologize if this is an old worn out topic.

So here's some specific games questions as I hope to bring home a huge stuffed animal I don't really need this year :)

1. Which of the games would be the easiest to win at if one doesn't have much skill for games like darts or shooting, etc...

2. On the "guessing" game, I can figure out how the game host (or whatever there title is) can give an educated guess on one's age or weight -- but what's the trick for the birth month... do they just blindly state a month and hope for the best?

3. Not sure if CP has this game anymore - I know a lot of festivals/fairs seem to have them -- but that one game where one dropes 6 or so medal circles over a large red circle trying to cover it up -- how is that accomplished. The host obviously can cover it in a matter of seconds -- but seems imposible from my end.

4. And what about that whiffle ball that you try to bounce of the backboard that's on an angle into a laundry basket -- anyone know that trick?

5. And any other game tips for the multitude of games would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Matt

Hoping not having to "drop" a couple hundred trying to win a $5 stuffed sponge bob :)

2. I'd imagine that they just hope for the best. But, they get 2 months in either direction. So that's 5 months that are covered with every guess. 5 months out of 12. Pretty good odds.

The one that's the easiest to win is the weight guess-since it's 3 lbs. either direction-a 7 lb. range. However, I'd guess that not many people go for that. My perception is that most people don't want the entire midway to know what they weigh. :)

4. I spent 20 bucks on that stupid game, trying to win Jamie (gf) a giant stuffed turtle. No luck, so I can't help you.

Sometimes they look for any birthstone and usually go by that to. Also with games try the arcade sometimes they have big stuff animals you can win with tickets.

The one with the backboard is extremely hard, because of the dowel that hangs near the bottom. (If you knock the dowel off, you're disqualified) This eliminates one of the easiest ways to win and is generally pretty lame.

I have had a lot of success with the bushel basket softball games. I give credit to the CP games hosts, as they are very upfront and honest about how to win. Your best strategy is to toss the ball underhanded, lightly and at a high arc, (almost straight up) so it lands squarely on the lip of the basket closest to you and falls in. The worst place you can throw it is the bottom of the basket which is springy. By hitting the lip, you absorb all the kinetic energy and the ball deadens. If you practice a few times, even at home, you can become quite good at it. The equipment is less important than developing a good "touch" for getting the ball to hit the lip when lobbed this way. While CP offers a pretty good medium sized prize for one win, you can trade up fairly easily, and I have won 3/3 balls occasionally.

For info on the spot cover game, I recommend a book by Michigan author Matthew Gryczan (spelling?) entitled "how to win at carnival games". It's available on Amazon. This book is a veritable golden ticket and shows you which games can be mastered with practice as opposed to ones that rely on luck. There are also other great books, including one published by a regular pointbuzz contributor.
Good Luck, and PM me if I can be of further assistance....