Gambling: The Dazzling Art of the Con
Schedule
Sat Oct 11 2025 at 02:00 pm to 03:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
DeKalb Public Library | Dekalb, IL
Gambling generates more revenue than spectator sports, theme parks, cruise ships and recorded music combined. Las Vegas casinos bring in an average of 5 billion dollars of revenue in a year. With all that money flying around it might occur to someone to cheat. It has, they do, and John P. Hopkins will show you some of the ways that it's done. John presents a fascinating and often hysterical look at crooked card games, dice hustles, pickpockets, prop bets, and con games. He will give you an inside peek at these scams with actual demonstrations. Through John, you will meet advantage players, dips, and con artists such as George Devil (who worked the Mississippi River boats for over forty years), Elijah Skaggs, "Titanic Thompson" and Madame Mustache.
See the dazzling art of the “advantage” card player and the ace pick pocket. Get an inside look at some of the classic swindles such as “3 Card Monte”, “The Old Army Game” and “Short-Change Routines.” Find out the secrets of rigged carnival games and learn the truth behind the phrases, “You can’t cheat an honest man” and “There’s no such thing as a free lunch!”
This program is free and open to all; no registration is required. It is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
For additional information, please contact Chelsea at [email protected] or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1700.
