Summer is a great time of year. It’s a time for cookouts, the beach, and of course carnivals. Many towns will have a traveling carnival visit their town during the summer for a week or two. While at the carnival there are a lot of games to try and have fun playing. Keep in mind that not every game has the same level of difficulty. Some games will be more appealing than others to you based on your personal taste and the types of prizes that you can win. Of course another factor will be the price to play. Unfortunately games at the carnival are never what people would call bargains. Remember, not only are you paying for the prizes you are trying to win but the entertainment value as well. This article will introduce you to the myriad of games you can expect to find at the carnival in your town, future articles I write will give you tips about how to win at these games.
Games at the carnival come in a variety of types. Some test your athletic ability, others test your intellect, and others just plain test your luck (and your nerves). Most people will play carnival games for the prizes they might win. Keep in mind that the operators of the games know this and they will use that fact to their advantage. They will try to display the largest prizes they have in clear view. The most common method is by hanging them from the top of the game playing area. Keep in mind that many times it will take multiple wins to win these prizes as you have to trade up. Ask before you play, so you know what it takes to win the prize you want. The other tip is if you can win a really large prize with one win, the game is probably significantly biased in the favor of the operator. The tricks to each game is for other articles to discuss, but as a customer be aware of the fact that those big prizes aren’t as easy to win as the game operator makes it seem.
So, what are the types of games that you will find at your local carnival? Well not every carnival has the same types of games, but most will have some of these staples. Along with the staples below, each carnival might have a couple of unique games. The games are generally divided up into games of physical skill and games of luck.
GAMES OF SKILL
Basketball Toss– In this game you toss a basketball into a basket with typically very large prizes. Beware though, the cost is usually high and the game has many adjustments that favor the operator.
Balloon Pop With Darts– A game in which the concept is simple, pop a balloon with a dart and win a prize. In general this game has relatively cheap prizes though with small stuffed animals, etched mirrors, or posters.
Shooting Out Stars With BB Gun– For those that like guns this is a fun one to try. The prizes tend to be very large in this game, but that is because winning is very difficult. You need to shoot out the star on the paper entirely, leaving no portion of the colored star attached to the paper. Even a folded back piece will seal your loss.
Basket Toss– Another game that looks deceptively simple. The issue is the rules. Many will not allow shots that land on the rim and roll into the basket count. If your carnival has this rule, stay far away from this game. The cost tends to be on the higher end of games as well.
Dime Toss– The playing area is a collection of glass plates, dishes, and glasses. All you have to do is toss a dime onto the glass playing area and get it to remain there. In the end this game is not all that difficult if you play it smart, but the prizes are not the most expensive at the carnival either. The good news is cost is usually low to play this game. Many times allowing you to toss dimes.
Frog Hammer Catapult- This is another game that has a lot of large prizes. In general though it requires a lot of trading up with multiple wins to get them. The whole goal is to put a rubber frog on a catapult device and to hit the launcher with a hammer to land the frog in one of the floating lilly pad bowls in the center water area.
Ring Toss– In general this game involves trying to toss small circular rings onto glass bottles in a large grid. The prizes here are medium size and in reality this can be one of the bargain games of the carnival if your skill level is high.
Ping Pong Ball Toss- This is one of the infamous carnival games because of the prizes given out. The goal is to toss ping pong balls into small fish bowls, and for each ball you get in a fish bowl, you win a goldfish!
GAMES OF LUCK
Wheel Games- These are true games of luck. You choose a number or symbol and the wheel is spun. Luckily it usually only costs 25 cents, yet more if your carnival has the money wheels, then it’s usually $1 each.
Guessing Games- These games usually involve a “guesser” trying to guess your age, weight, or birth month within a certain range. Prizes for this game are usually extremely small.
Ticket Games- These games generally include several ways to win. Some will ask you to match numbers that are pre-chosen to win certain prizes. Others will give tickets to everyone and then draw a ticket or spin a wheel. Finally, there are the pull tab tickets where you pull a tab and look for a winning result. In the end once again the prizes are small. Quite often at carnivals these include flowers or food items.
THE GAMES AT A CARNIVAL ARE A GAMBLE, BUT CAN BE A LOT OF FUN
Whether you play a game of skill or luck at a carnival the odds are not going to be in your favor. Of course if you go expecting to get your money’s worth back in the prizes you win you are bound to be disappointed more often than you are to be satisfied. Yet, if you realize that the true value of the carnival games are in their entertainment value, then even if you leave empty handed you still will feel you received your money’s worth. Keep in mind that playing games at a carnival is in effect a version of gambling. These games take in a lot more than they pay out. Play them for the entertainment value, not the prize values.
