The school for scoundrels
Notes on fast and loose

Whit "Pop" Haydn and Chef Anton Riniti have taught a course at the Magic Castle every year since 1996 as part of the Magic University. 


2015 will be our 20th year of School for Scoundrels at the Magic Castle.

This  eight hour course covers the history, moves, ruses, psychology and  application to magic of the three classic street swindles: Three Card Monte, Fast and Loose, and the Shell Game. 

This pdf booklet contains the notes from that class on the scam Fast and Loose, and its more modern variation known as On the Barrelhead.
​Lots of photos!

This  book covers everything from the history of the game through the  psychology of the moves as it is performed on the street by grifters.

It  includes three different Fast and Loose exhibition routines–including  the famous Jules Lenier routine–along with thorough explanations and  patter.

It is the most in-depth treatise on the subject ever written. 

Many new moves, methods, hooks and come-ons never before in print.

“The  School for Scoundrels Notes on Fast and Loose is clearly the definitive  work on the subject. Several items (such as the Lee Earle bit) take the  effect/game to a whole new level.”
—Darwin Ortiz