Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word shell game. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word shell game, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say shell game in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word shell game you have here. The definition of the word shell game will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofshell game, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
A game of skill which requires the bettor to guess which of three small cups (or shells) a pea-sized object is concealed under, after the party operating the game rapidly rearranges them, providing opportunity for sleight-of-handtrickery.
2009, Michael Benson, Cons and Frauds, Infobase, →ISBN, page 21:
Another common form of short con is the shell game. This scam has the advantage of giving the criminal the ability to rip off many marks all at one location.
Any confidencescheme, especially one involving the rapid movement of investment funds to a location beyond recovery.